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lizandherworldofbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
khuizenga's review against another edition
3.0
Slow burn, but interesting. The beginning reads a bit like a travelogue of Venice (which I don’t mind, I just went and loved it so I was living for the nostalgia) but I didn’t really get hooked until about 50% of the way through. Not quite as creeping as I was hoping, but definitely still eerie.
charlottethebookharlot's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
Frankie a writer in her late thirties escapes to Venice after an 'incident' in London. She just wants to escape but when a young woman claiming an acquaintance arrives on the scene things may not be all that they appear.; is Frankie having a breakdown or are other factors at play?
After having read and enjoyed Tangerine I was excited to begin Palace of the Drowned and I was not disappointed as I loved it. There was a definite Highsmith vibe and the descriptions of Venice and the atmosphere that was created was truly evocative. A slow burner of a novel that left me feeling more than a little unsettled.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Frankie a writer in her late thirties escapes to Venice after an 'incident' in London. She just wants to escape but when a young woman claiming an acquaintance arrives on the scene things may not be all that they appear.; is Frankie having a breakdown or are other factors at play?
After having read and enjoyed Tangerine I was excited to begin Palace of the Drowned and I was not disappointed as I loved it. There was a definite Highsmith vibe and the descriptions of Venice and the atmosphere that was created was truly evocative. A slow burner of a novel that left me feeling more than a little unsettled.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
anniemmiller's review against another edition
5.0
I hesitated on rating this at 5 stars, but it really kept me reading. After having just read The Plot, it was strange reading another story about writing and writer’s conflicts. This story reflected the author’s study of the gothic novel, but in many ways it was about so much more than a haunting tale. There is a deeper reach into Society’s hunger for new, different, and young, as well as confronting ageism, mental health, and a descent into madness. The Venice setting is well developed, and the novel is well written. A fast read.
henrymarlene's review against another edition
5.0
"For that's what they were, in the end, pieces of herself, bits of her, the inner workings of her mind that would otherwise empty themselves out day after day".
Frankie is an author. She is longing to give of herself a chance to create another literary masterpiece, but is wounded by a review. She escapes the review and further scandal at the Savoy to the waters of Venice, to relax and write. Frankie becomes embroiled in a connection with Gilly - someone who claims to know Frankie and is also a budding author. Thus begins a twisted tale of ambition, snobbery, and the river towards success, no matter the cost. Who is Gilly? What is she? She emerges from the watery canals of Venice, and seems to glide into Frankie's frame of existence too regularly. All the characters - Frankie, her friends Jack and Leonard, publisher Harold and even Gilly - seem insipid, shallow, and arrogant. To me this was an integral part of this book's triumph; they are all not quite who they seem to be as characters and in their connectionswith each other. I also love that Frankie is the preferred name for Frances Cory, and her friend is Jack. Was the use of these masculine names part of the character creation in contrast with Gilly's name, like a siren, a temptress?
The watery thematics of the book added to the drama and thrilling feel to this book. Venice's flooded canals and dead ends created a sense of claustrophobia for Frankie, as much as her mind was drowning and swallowing her to the core.
Frankie is an author. She is longing to give of herself a chance to create another literary masterpiece, but is wounded by a review. She escapes the review and further scandal at the Savoy to the waters of Venice, to relax and write. Frankie becomes embroiled in a connection with Gilly - someone who claims to know Frankie and is also a budding author. Thus begins a twisted tale of ambition, snobbery, and the river towards success, no matter the cost. Who is Gilly? What is she? She emerges from the watery canals of Venice, and seems to glide into Frankie's frame of existence too regularly. All the characters - Frankie, her friends Jack and Leonard, publisher Harold and even Gilly - seem insipid, shallow, and arrogant. To me this was an integral part of this book's triumph; they are all not quite who they seem to be as characters and in their connectionswith each other. I also love that Frankie is the preferred name for Frances Cory, and her friend is Jack. Was the use of these masculine names part of the character creation in contrast with Gilly's name, like a siren, a temptress?
The watery thematics of the book added to the drama and thrilling feel to this book. Venice's flooded canals and dead ends created a sense of claustrophobia for Frankie, as much as her mind was drowning and swallowing her to the core.
blathering's review against another edition
3.0
Atmospheric yes. Believable maybe. Plot twists not really because I saw them all coming from far away.
storybookvisitor's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
gilmoreguide's review against another edition
2.0
Frankie Croy achieved critical and financial success with her first novel. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to replicate that by her 3rd and in the face of a minor breakdown she retreats to a rich friend’s palazzo in Venice. She has one book left on her contract with her publisher so she’s hoping the change of scenery will revitalize her writing. It seems to work until she runs into the daughter of an editor she knows, who’s besotted with her work. Gilly attaches herself to Frankie as an acolyte in a way that both unsettles and intrigues her. This is the groundwork laid by Christine Mangan in her new psychological thriller, Palace of the Drowned.
It’s bad timing, but this is the second novel in two months that I’ve read about a once promising writer now floundering to replicate their success. I understand, in some part, that Frankie must be portrayed as unsteady, but Mangan pushes further, making her drunk, surly…the epitome of an unreliable narrator. Which is a trait that can be fascinating, but relying on outside influence, like alcohol, cheapens the effect. It’s too easy to be unreliable when you’re blackout drunk.
Mangan is pulling from the classic movie, All About Eve but adding her own twist. This would been interesting except she’s so heavy-handed with the atmosphere (a rude housekeeper, odd neighbors, and the 1966 Venice flood) and with Frankie’s sad-sack personality it all fell flat and then, the ending? I’m still shaking my head. What did I love about this novel? The cover. Gorgeous. Enough said.
It’s bad timing, but this is the second novel in two months that I’ve read about a once promising writer now floundering to replicate their success. I understand, in some part, that Frankie must be portrayed as unsteady, but Mangan pushes further, making her drunk, surly…the epitome of an unreliable narrator. Which is a trait that can be fascinating, but relying on outside influence, like alcohol, cheapens the effect. It’s too easy to be unreliable when you’re blackout drunk.
Mangan is pulling from the classic movie, All About Eve but adding her own twist. This would been interesting except she’s so heavy-handed with the atmosphere (a rude housekeeper, odd neighbors, and the 1966 Venice flood) and with Frankie’s sad-sack personality it all fell flat and then, the ending? I’m still shaking my head. What did I love about this novel? The cover. Gorgeous. Enough said.
coridahl's review against another edition
4.0
Originally could not get into this book but felt myself just wanting to know more, the author keeps you wanting more without fully giving anything away so when you look back it’s all so obvious.
afox98's review against another edition
3.0
Frankie is a famous author, best known for her debut work. Two novels later, her spark seems to have dimmed, so she's headed to Venice to get away for a while and get inspired for the looming deadline for her next book she owes her editor. While in Venice, a young woman claims to know her and becomes almost stalker-like. The girl's charisma overwhelms Frankie and she starts spending more time with her. All the while, a storm is brewing, one that will flood Venice at the worst time and make Frankie question her own sanity as she navigates reconciling her old friends with her new one. Spooky and somewhat unsettling.