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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2.5 - 3 stars
I’m an Indigo Employee, and I received an advanced reading copy of this book - from the publisher - in exchange for my honest feedback.
Pretty slow paced, I honestly didn’t get much out of this book until we were about halfway through. I found I didn’t really connect with the characters - this could have been because I only read this book when I had a bit of spare time, and read it in bits and pieces - but overall, it had the melodrama of a Jodi Picoult book, but I just didn’t love it. The twist in the middle surprised me, and I thought it added a bit of depth to some of the characters, and I was excited to see what was next - but then it just kept going in a really unsatisfying way. It didn’t end the way I wanted it to - which isn’t the biggest deal, but I was hoping the novel would redeem itself, but it was just kind of frustrating and slow. I didn’t hate it, or anything, I think I just had really high expectations set for me, and I put a bit too much pressure on this book.
It was slow moving and a really good book club pick, I just don’t think that was what I was looking for.
I’m an Indigo Employee, and I received an advanced reading copy of this book - from the publisher - in exchange for my honest feedback.
Pretty slow paced, I honestly didn’t get much out of this book until we were about halfway through. I found I didn’t really connect with the characters - this could have been because I only read this book when I had a bit of spare time, and read it in bits and pieces - but overall, it had the melodrama of a Jodi Picoult book, but I just didn’t love it. The twist in the middle surprised me, and I thought it added a bit of depth to some of the characters, and I was excited to see what was next - but then it just kept going in a really unsatisfying way. It didn’t end the way I wanted it to - which isn’t the biggest deal, but I was hoping the novel would redeem itself, but it was just kind of frustrating and slow. I didn’t hate it, or anything, I think I just had really high expectations set for me, and I put a bit too much pressure on this book.
It was slow moving and a really good book club pick, I just don’t think that was what I was looking for.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Let me just say, the writing on this book was impeccable. The different writing styles for each character was the icing on top of the beautifully decorated cake. I rated this book a three because of the overall plot and content… I felt the book was too long for what the storyline was. The content was repetitive and at times unnecessary fluff. I don’t mind the long winded paragraphs or even the “useless” mundane activities if it helps build the characters lifestyle and personality but this was simply unnecessary making the book too long and boring at times.
I still can’t get over the writing though, for the writing style alone, I would give it a five
I still can’t get over the writing though, for the writing style alone, I would give it a five
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Initially, I struggled to get into this book. I found it difficult flicking between characters!
But when Holly turns into Kate … I was hooked. Everything made sense and I couldn’t put the book down!
The last third of the book had me gripped and I can’t wait to watch the Netflix adaptation now I’ve finished it!
But when Holly turns into Kate … I was hooked. Everything made sense and I couldn’t put the book down!
The last third of the book had me gripped and I can’t wait to watch the Netflix adaptation now I’ve finished it!
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I received a copy of this book for free from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS!
Where to start... I started reading Anatomy of a Scandal with high interest given the current state of events. I was anticipating a Shonda Rhimes Scandal storyline meets the #MeToo movement. I was left somewhat disappointed.
I'll start with the positives: firstly, the writing was quite good, if a little unnecessarily long at times (girl, I get it, I like run-on sentences too, but damn). The story was told in a compelling way - I went from being uncertain that James Whitehouse, beloved MP, had raped this poor girl in an elevator to being totally certain it had happened (and I never was swayed after I made my decision, for the record). I liked the way we were left constantly questioning who was telling the truth. I liked most of the female characters. I thought the story was worth telling. My hated for the Libertines college boys was red hot and fiery - their entitlement and treatment of others was so hard to read. Our author did an excellent job of making them the worst boys' club I've read in a book in a LONG time.
Here's my beef: HE GOT OFF. HE WAS FOUND NOT GUILTY. ARE YOU KIDDING ME. I mean, I get it, we're taken through the novel knowing him being convicted is a long shot because it's considered relationship rape and she's a mistress and blah blah blah. But I'm so thoroughly disappointed on Kate's behalf when we learn of this that I was just as angry as that young woman screaming "No!" from the crowd. Also, I actually saw the whole 'Kate being Holly who James Whitehouse raped 25 years ago' twist coming. I thought it was weird we were hearing from this random girl named Holly in the early 90's who just never re-surfaced in present times and guessed that Kate must've changed her name. Score 1 for me.
Which brings me to my second piece of beef: Kate being so serene months after the verdict is given and James Whitehouse, scumbag MP, gets to go free for raping not one, but TWO women. She's been dealing with this grief and shame for 25 years, her one shot at redeeming some justice from her rapist is lost, and all of a sudden she stops drinking so much and has food in the fridge? Come on, no. That was no way to rush along the ending. The ending alluding to things not being so peachy for James and Tom (the PM whom he's best mates with, since childhood) because of a scandal they escaped from their college years suddenly coming to light is just... it's like someone breaking my windshield and then cover it with saranwrap and being sent on my way.
I guess I ultimately felt like the last 20 pages or so were very rushed. They were meant to give us closure, but it felt more like we were being pushed out the door in a hurry. We could've easily done with another 50 pages or so to wrap things up more neatly. The results of the inquest concerning James and Tom the PM. Sophie's life (who I haven't mentioned at all in this review, sorry Sophie) after she's divoriced James - also, GOOD FOR HER. I was so happy to read that. Olivia, whom we never hear from again before the trial even concludes. Endings are important. Don't rush them.
SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS!
Where to start... I started reading Anatomy of a Scandal with high interest given the current state of events. I was anticipating a Shonda Rhimes Scandal storyline meets the #MeToo movement. I was left somewhat disappointed.
I'll start with the positives: firstly, the writing was quite good, if a little unnecessarily long at times (girl, I get it, I like run-on sentences too, but damn). The story was told in a compelling way - I went from being uncertain that James Whitehouse, beloved MP, had raped this poor girl in an elevator to being totally certain it had happened (and I never was swayed after I made my decision, for the record). I liked the way we were left constantly questioning who was telling the truth. I liked most of the female characters. I thought the story was worth telling. My hated for the Libertines college boys was red hot and fiery - their entitlement and treatment of others was so hard to read. Our author did an excellent job of making them the worst boys' club I've read in a book in a LONG time.
Here's my beef: HE GOT OFF. HE WAS FOUND NOT GUILTY. ARE YOU KIDDING ME. I mean, I get it, we're taken through the novel knowing him being convicted is a long shot because it's considered relationship rape and she's a mistress and blah blah blah. But I'm so thoroughly disappointed on Kate's behalf when we learn of this that I was just as angry as that young woman screaming "No!" from the crowd. Also, I actually saw the whole 'Kate being Holly who James Whitehouse raped 25 years ago' twist coming. I thought it was weird we were hearing from this random girl named Holly in the early 90's who just never re-surfaced in present times and guessed that Kate must've changed her name. Score 1 for me.
Which brings me to my second piece of beef: Kate being so serene months after the verdict is given and James Whitehouse, scumbag MP, gets to go free for raping not one, but TWO women. She's been dealing with this grief and shame for 25 years, her one shot at redeeming some justice from her rapist is lost, and all of a sudden she stops drinking so much and has food in the fridge? Come on, no. That was no way to rush along the ending. The ending alluding to things not being so peachy for James and Tom (the PM whom he's best mates with, since childhood) because of a scandal they escaped from their college years suddenly coming to light is just... it's like someone breaking my windshield and then cover it with saranwrap and being sent on my way.
I guess I ultimately felt like the last 20 pages or so were very rushed. They were meant to give us closure, but it felt more like we were being pushed out the door in a hurry. We could've easily done with another 50 pages or so to wrap things up more neatly. The results of the inquest concerning James and Tom the PM. Sophie's life (who I haven't mentioned at all in this review, sorry Sophie) after she's divoriced James - also, GOOD FOR HER. I was so happy to read that. Olivia, whom we never hear from again before the trial even concludes. Endings are important. Don't rush them.
Was this a mystery? A thriller? No. It was fairly predictable.
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes