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3.34 AVERAGE
3.34 AVERAGE
A start that hooks you and a middle that intrigues. But, the last act made my skin crawl in the worst way.
hated this! the writing is insufferable, the narrator is deeply irritating, and every character is so unlikeable (not in the fun way).
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
enjoyable but admittedly a bit predictable, but it was still a good thriller with greek vibes which was fun. enjoyed the theatrical elements to mirror a greek tragedy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Stalking, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Gun violence, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting
This was a 2.5 for me.
I read Michaelides' The Silent Patient a few years ago and found myself in what felt like the minority in that I didn't really like it. I was looking for a book set in Greece as I'm heading there in a few weeks, and when I found this, decided to give him another shot. Having finished it, maybe he's just not for me.
There are specific reasons why I didn't enjoy this story, but I can't get into it without giving any spoilers. What I will say is more than once at the end of a chapter I said out loud, "F*** this book." It's not a bad story, but something about the delivery really irked me. I also found all of the characters to be unlikable and wasn't rooting for anyone, which made for a less than stellar experience.
If you're into this author and enjoy drama/whodunits, you may like it. It just wasn't for me.
I read Michaelides' The Silent Patient a few years ago and found myself in what felt like the minority in that I didn't really like it. I was looking for a book set in Greece as I'm heading there in a few weeks, and when I found this, decided to give him another shot. Having finished it, maybe he's just not for me.
There are specific reasons why I didn't enjoy this story, but I can't get into it without giving any spoilers. What I will say is more than once at the end of a chapter I said out loud, "F*** this book." It's not a bad story, but something about the delivery really irked me. I also found all of the characters to be unlikable and wasn't rooting for anyone, which made for a less than stellar experience.
If you're into this author and enjoy drama/whodunits, you may like it. It just wasn't for me.
Okay… I liked how the narrator was written, it felt like we were having a conversation with him and hearing his side of the story.
However, his side of the story changed multiple times because he was an unreliable narrator. The same instance was retold different ways multiple times to get a different POV each time, and I was just kind of over that.
It’s nothing against the author himself, I think I’m just done with the whole “people on an island are cut off and someone dies, one of them is a killer but it isn’t who you think, or is it?” kind of plot.
However, his side of the story changed multiple times because he was an unreliable narrator. The same instance was retold different ways multiple times to get a different POV each time, and I was just kind of over that.
It’s nothing against the author himself, I think I’m just done with the whole “people on an island are cut off and someone dies, one of them is a killer but it isn’t who you think, or is it?” kind of plot.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
This is not a good thriller for you if you want something quick & easy. This is a good thriller for you if you like literature, if you’re a bit of a snob— which I am, so I loved it.
Even though it’s a little bit of an Agatha Christie type murder mystery set on an island, it’s not a simple who-dun-it; it’s a what-happened-to-you. We kind of know who did it very early on in the novel, and it almost doesn’t matter who did it; it becomes about reality and its different versions. It’s about character setting the plot. It’s about trauma, performance, the classics, obsession, revenge, alcoholism, rich people, being an outsider, and the Greek Isles.
It’s fun but it’s certainly not stupid-fun.
Even though it’s a little bit of an Agatha Christie type murder mystery set on an island, it’s not a simple who-dun-it; it’s a what-happened-to-you. We kind of know who did it very early on in the novel, and it almost doesn’t matter who did it; it becomes about reality and its different versions. It’s about character setting the plot. It’s about trauma, performance, the classics, obsession, revenge, alcoholism, rich people, being an outsider, and the Greek Isles.
It’s fun but it’s certainly not stupid-fun.
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Didn't think I would stick with this one because I disliked the MC immediately, but something about it drew me along to the finish line. It gets points for an unusual story line and because I didn't see the end coming, but I'll deduct one point because I didn't like any of the characters. Probably wouldn't seek out more books by this author.
I liked the short quick chapters. The narrator tells the story as if they’re talking to the reader, & was a bit unreliable at times. Entertaining mystery