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activelyreading's review against another edition
3.0
definitely tragic, gothic vibes, definitely a bildungsroman, definitely a tragic read
Probably more like a 3.5 but I rounded up
Probably more like a 3.5 but I rounded up
kcibulskas's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
tinitalorene's review
4.0
Another fabulous read from Phoebe Wynne! After reading Madam, I was excited to try her second book. I love the way she shaped the story, keeping you guessing who Mrs. Cosgrove is and what the terrible thing was that happened in 1985. I had several guesses as the story progressed, but was proved wrong! I’m not usually one for dark stories, but this one was a page turner!!
danapr's review
2.0
Several wealthy British families come together for the summer at the French Riviera in 1985. Some of the adults are longtime friends from college and they have many secrets and much animosity among them which comes out in very nasty ways. The trouble begins with a mysterious car accident which causes grievances with the locals as well as between the friends staying at the château. These tourists only become more and more annoying and hated as they abuse alcohol and generally act like spoiled snobs. But the more sinister abuse occurs towards the four adolescent daughters who are at the mercy of their horrible parents. For instance, when one of the girls has a birthday, her mother comments “It’s so tiresome to have to bother with a birthday during the holidays rather than the school dealing with it”. Nothing about this story can end well and the vacation does indeed come to a violent conclusion. Interspersed with the story occurring in 1985 is a side story around one of the young girls returning to the château as an adult in 2010, which seemed to be a totally unnecessary addition to the book.
Overall, I thought this was a very unpleasant and horrible book. I’m not sure what the author’s objectives were except maybe to demonstrate that some parents can be extremely selfish and clueless about protecting their children no matter how rich and important. The adults’ absolutely horrific behaviors are very disturbing and unbelievable for most readers. In spite of this, I was drawn into the story wanting to see how it ended and hoping for a satisfying conclusion. But no matter if there was some revenge, nothing could make the resolution OK.
Warning: this book contains violence and sexual abuse involving children.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.
Overall, I thought this was a very unpleasant and horrible book. I’m not sure what the author’s objectives were except maybe to demonstrate that some parents can be extremely selfish and clueless about protecting their children no matter how rich and important. The adults’ absolutely horrific behaviors are very disturbing and unbelievable for most readers. In spite of this, I was drawn into the story wanting to see how it ended and hoping for a satisfying conclusion. But no matter if there was some revenge, nothing could make the resolution OK.
Warning: this book contains violence and sexual abuse involving children.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.
theatreuse's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Ça m’a prit plusieurs mois. Mais j’ai enfin terminé ce roman. Et quel roman… c’est sûrement l’un des meilleur livre que j’ai lu en 2023. J’ai apprécié prendre le temps de le lire et me plonger dedans pendant de longues semaines.
L’autrice a su garder des intrigues tout au long de l’histoire sans même que le lecteur sache qu’il y avait quelque chose à savoir. L’ambiance du livre nous transporte.
Il livre dur qui est abordé de la bonne manière et ne tourne pas au malsain.
L’autrice a su garder des intrigues tout au long de l’histoire sans même que le lecteur sache qu’il y avait quelque chose à savoir. L’ambiance du livre nous transporte.
Il livre dur qui est abordé de la bonne manière et ne tourne pas au malsain.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Murder, Pedophilia, and Blood
jgoetz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ellieg3010's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hornikkl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
the_sassy_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The Ruins". is billed as a gothic, feminist coming-of-age tale. I am not sure I would have used those words to describe this story. Especially 'gothic". However, the book was very atmospheric in its setting (a chateau in France). This was the type of book that creeps up on you. I wasn't sure I was going to throw in the towel or keep reading as I was finding the story difficult to get into, but the more I read, the more invested I became. Nobody in this book is likable. The parents are atrocious. Even the three young girls (except maybe Annie) are unlikable. Yet there was something that drew me in and kept me reading. I needed to see how everything ended. I needed to see if these nasty people got what was coming to them. Overall i think this one deserves a solid thumbs up.
Readers should also be aware that there is sexual abuse of minors.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
“The Ruins". is billed as a gothic, feminist coming-of-age tale. I am not sure I would have used those words to describe this story. Especially 'gothic". However, the book was very atmospheric in its setting (a chateau in France). This was the type of book that creeps up on you. I wasn't sure I was going to throw in the towel or keep reading as I was finding the story difficult to get into, but the more I read, the more invested I became. Nobody in this book is likable. The parents are atrocious. Even the three young girls (except maybe Annie) are unlikable. Yet there was something that drew me in and kept me reading. I needed to see how everything ended. I needed to see if these nasty people got what was coming to them. Overall i think this one deserves a solid thumbs up.
Readers should also be aware that there is sexual abuse of minors.
**ARC Via NetGalley**