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blacksphinx's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-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
2.5
I feel like I didn't like this for reasons that are different than some of the other negative reviews.
I loved the format, writing, and pacing of this story. When I was told it's entirely epistolary, starting with a table of contents that doesn't match the actual contents of the book, and that the story ends halfway though a sentence... It intrigued me. I loved Evie's stream-of-consciousness style. It wasn't how people actually write letters but it IS how people talk if you give them the space and don't reply, so I really enjoyed it. I liked discovering the "terrible secret" that was outed at the wedding reception. The way the confession letter is torn in half, with that break in the middle? How things that seemed inconsequential became both important and sinister in retrospect? Loved it.
It was some of the other plot points not involving our main couple that have left me cold. This book kind of wants to be about too many big ideas, too many social ills, and it doesn't get enough time to sit with some of them. It was convoluted and coincidental to the extreme. (I am also completely baffled by the amount of people I've seen say the story is funny?) It kind of felt to me that, just like our main narrator, the author didn't know how the story ended either and hoped there was enough present that us readers would want to chew it over and come to our own conclusions. I couldn't care enough to do so. I kind of think I would have liked the story more without the last 70 pages, even though that's where most of the plot not directly involving our couple is laid out.
I loved the format, writing, and pacing of this story. When I was told it's entirely epistolary, starting with a table of contents that doesn't match the actual contents of the book, and that the story ends halfway though a sentence... It intrigued me. I loved Evie's stream-of-consciousness style. It wasn't how people actually write letters but it IS how people talk if you give them the space and don't reply, so I really enjoyed it. I liked discovering the "terrible secret" that was outed at the wedding reception. The way the confession letter is torn in half, with that break in the middle? How things that seemed inconsequential became both important and sinister in retrospect? Loved it.
It was some of the other plot points not involving our main couple that have left me cold. This book kind of wants to be about too many big ideas, too many social ills, and it doesn't get enough time to sit with some of them. It was convoluted and coincidental to the extreme. (I am also completely baffled by the amount of people I've seen say the story is funny?) It kind of felt to me that, just like our main narrator, the author didn't know how the story ended either and hoped there was enough present that us readers would want to chew it over and come to our own conclusions. I couldn't care enough to do so. I kind of think I would have liked the story more without the last 70 pages, even though that's where most of the plot not directly involving our couple is laid out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Trafficking, Sexual violence, Rape, Vomit, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Pedophilia, Xenophobia, Drug abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Homophobia, Physical abuse, Eating disorder, Stalking, Excrement, and Terminal illness
Sex trafficking, grooming, sexual exploitation of minorsmarym2215's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Usually I like to start these reviews with a persuasive first paragraph that summarizes the book. But to be honest, I really don’t know what I would even write if I tried to do that for The Sleepwalkers.
I was really looking forward to reading this book based off the premise, but I was sadly very disappointed. The first 42% of the book, which happens to be Evelyn’s first letter, felt like a never ending run-on sentence with no beginning, middle, or end. While the heart of the plot and present day storyline were promising, it was impossible to actually get into the story with Evelyn’s constant need to take the reader on random tangents down memory lane. One moment you’re reading about what’s going on in the present moment on Evelyn and Richard's honeymoon and the next you’re listening to Evelyn’s internal dialogue, reminiscing about birdwatching with her father-in-law. I found it nearly impossible to get into the story as a whole with Evelyn’s scattered brain telling almost the first half of the story. As soon as I thought something interesting was starting to happen, the momentum and excitement of the moment was killed by some seemingly inconsequential memory. I think this is honestly the whole point of the writing style, but if I am going to read a mystery/thriller, as this book is categorized, then I usually expect a plot that is much more cohesive and faster paced than this novel. At 25% into the book, I went back and reread the synopsis and was shocked to realize practically nothing had happened yet that related to what the summary of the book promised. So, I kept reading because I hoped eventually the plot would start to pick up. Unfortunately, Evelyn continued to write her letter in a way that had the story pin-balling all over the place. I just know the author was breaking the forth wall when Evelyn so appropriately wrote, “one should never write freestyle… you can end up lost in your own sentences, like pythons wrapping around you.” Later she she asked, “Am I boring you?” and the answer was yes Evelyn, you really are. And so I read, and I read, and I read, and I read, and yet I still felt like nothing was happening. One of the most frustrating aspects of the writing style was that when something important actually did happen or was revealed, I either almost missed it or didn’t care because I was so uninterested by the meandering flashbacks it was sandwiched between. When she said “I hope you’re following this, with all my jumps in time? Perhaps not,” I felt like she could read my mind regarding how I was feeling. I’m assuming that was the point and I have to give the author credit for at least being self aware. But still, I continued to hold out hope. Then Richard’s letter came along and it’s no wonder Evelyn and Richard had problems because together they are two of the worst communicators I’ve ever encountered. Granted, their problems go way, way, way beyond just poor communication. While the second half of the book had more plot, by that point I really didn’t care and just wanted to get to end. Now I fear Evelyn and Richard’s writing styles have rubbed off on me as I realize I’ve rambled on and on in this review. At least I had more fun writing this review than reading the book. My sincerest apologies to anyone who truly enjoyed this book and as I said before, it is possible that the entire point of the book went over my head. Clearly, I was not the target audience for this book, but I still gave it 1.5 stars because I did finish it and I weirdly enjoyed the experience of continuing to read, just waiting for something to actually happen, even though I saw no point of it at all. Lastly, if you do still decide to read this book, please check trigger warnings as there are certain themes that are discussed that could be upsetting.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an electronic ARC of The Sleepwalkers in return for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Infidelity, and Sexual content
Moderate: Trafficking, Murder, and Drug abuse
Minor: Physical abuse and Eating disorder
elthereal's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and the author for an eARC.
The Sleepwalkers is described as 'Patricia Highsmith meets White Lotus' and I would endorse that description. The strongest parts were definitely those that really leaned into the same eerie atmosphere of White Lotus. Atmospherically, I might describe it more as 'White Lotus meets Rebecca.'
I really appreciated the story being told in mixed media (letters, audio transcript, etc) and how the "found-footage" format gave it a very cinematic reading experience.
None of these characters were good people but Evelyn & Richard were complex and compelling nonetheless. Some of the reveals were truly jaw-dropping here.
The last chapter/letter was the weakest part of the book. By this time, we've gotten a lot of the big reveals done and are just tying up loose-ends. Unfortunately, it does read as if we're just tying up loose-ends and we lose a lot of the suspense that carried us to this point. If the last bit was tightened up, I think this would've been a really fantastic thriller. However, I'm sure there are people who will really appreciate the sense of closure that they get from the lengthy conclusion.
The Sleepwalkers is described as 'Patricia Highsmith meets White Lotus' and I would endorse that description. The strongest parts were definitely those that really leaned into the same eerie atmosphere of White Lotus. Atmospherically, I might describe it more as 'White Lotus meets Rebecca.'
I really appreciated the story being told in mixed media (letters, audio transcript, etc) and how the "found-footage" format gave it a very cinematic reading experience.
None of these characters were good people but Evelyn & Richard were complex and compelling nonetheless. Some of the reveals were truly jaw-dropping here.
The last chapter/letter was the weakest part of the book. By this time, we've gotten a lot of the big reveals done and are just tying up loose-ends. Unfortunately, it does read as if we're just tying up loose-ends and we lose a lot of the suspense that carried us to this point. If the last bit was tightened up, I think this would've been a really fantastic thriller. However, I'm sure there are people who will really appreciate the sense of closure that they get from the lengthy conclusion.
Read CW
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Murder, Infidelity, Death, Gaslighting, Rape, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Trafficking, Eating disorder, and Physical abuse
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