Reviews tagging 'Suicidal thoughts'

Our House by Louise Candlish

7 reviews

ladycranstonkc's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective 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

2.0


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litchick's review

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challenging dark mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book has been on my tbr shelf for some time and I wanted to read the book before watching the adaptation on Prime Video. 

Our House is told from two alternating perspectives from that of Bram and Fiona or Fi as she is referred to in this book. This book is written in an interesting format and I have not read very many books written this way. Bram's narrative point of view is written in the format of a word document and Fi's point of view is written in the format of a podcast. 

I did find the book to be a bit of a slow start, but once I got into the flow of the writing style and the pace picked up a bit and more started happening, I was turning the pages.

I feel the book did slow down the pace a bit in the middle with necessary timeline details that needed to be established, but picked up again for a twisty second half and the ending. Having said this, the pacing at the ending was so different from the rest of the book and so much was happening it had a really different feel compared to the earlier parts. A lot of filler, but still details that needed to be provided, I guess. 

Overall an enjoyable read and I am glad I have read it so I can now see what was done with the series adaptation. The series adaptation is comprised of four episodes so it should be a pretty quick series to watch.

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leahg22's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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lukerik's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I saw the first line and immediately had to read the whole book.  There’s something about the concept that I find frightening.  It’s an entertaining book, very readably written.  Excellent ending.

It’s a 200 page plot with some bloat, and sits at 400 and something pages so it’ll get you from Heathrow to the Costa del Sol where you can lay it aside while you tap you first vat of Prosecco.  You’ll probably finish it on the beach one day, so pack a spare.  I understand that contemporary thrillers need to be this length.  You pay your money and you get your worth, but it could be tightened up quite a bit.

My only other complaint is the way it’s been compiled.  There are two third person, present tense POVs, his and hers, intercut with two epistolary sections, his and hers giving flashbacks.  That opening scene is cut back to throughout the novel so the tension of it, which could really have built sweetly, is undercut almost immediately.  Again, I understand why Candlish has taken the approach she has.  Everything needs to dovetail on the final paragraph without the slack-jawed amongst us having to remember too far back.  Also, such short sections mean you never have to read for more than a couple of minutes before breaking off to screech ‘Beckham, leave Britney ALONE!’

I think Candlish has sometimes sacrificed artistry for readability.  Entertaining though, and what more can we ask?

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hannahnott's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75


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theliteraryhooker's review against another edition

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mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This was...fine? I liked the beginning and the end was satisfying, but because of the way the dual narratives covered a lot of the same events, I found it repetitive and draggy in the middle. 

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kassidypf13's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5


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