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3.33 AVERAGE
3.33 AVERAGE
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2016/07/27/day-942-siracusa/
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2016/07/27/day-942-siracusa/
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Siracusa is the story of two unlikely couples and a child who travel to Italy together, all with secrets to keep. Told in alternating view points, the denouement is projected early on with heavy-handed foreshadowing. The characters themselves are all terrible with the creepy child Snow being both the worst of the group and the most fascinating part of the book. Uneven and unbelievable, but a quick beach read, although not the best of the year.
3.5/4 I liked it, the characters Finn, Taylor, Michael and Lizzie though not particularly likeable it was really interesting reading from each of their perspectives. I enjoyed Finn’s perspective as seeing Taylor through his eyes was quite hilarious at times! I thought it was a well written book and it kept me hooked.
This was a good book. It lost a star because it took me way too long to keep the characters straight....who was who, who was married to whom. Once I did, though, the pages were flying. Ephron did a wonderful job taking you to Rome, then Siracusa. This is one I need to think on a little more. 3.5/5 stars
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Two couples and one daughter head to Italy to vacation and maybe they shouldn't have left home. The reader and maybe both couples know that this trip is doomed from the start, yet they go and of course drama ensues.
Before I dive into my thoughts, let me say that I had extremely high hopes for this book. It had been buzzed about for awhile and it was on the list of books that I was over the moon to get a chance to review, so maybe my hopes and expectations were a little above what they should have been and it could have impacted my reading.
Two couples and one daughter head to Italy to vacation and maybe they shouldn't have left home. The reader and maybe both couples know that this trip is doomed from the start, yet they go and of course drama ensues.
Before I dive into my thoughts, let me say that I had extremely high hopes for this book. It had been buzzed about for awhile and it was on the list of books that I was over the moon to get a chance to review, so maybe my hopes and expectations were a little above what they should have been and it could have impacted my reading.
Advertised as a thriller but the murder does not happen until the end. The characters are all highly unlikeable. Was not the easiest to get through.
I don't usually feel uncomfortable after I read a book but this left me feeling like a shower would be a good idea. I enjoyed its almost dreamlike narrative as well as all the characters even though among them they had absolutely no redeeming qualities.
This one is going to stay with me a while, I think.
This one is going to stay with me a while, I think.
Siracusa was almost a perfect novel.
Two American couples take a one week trip to Italy (who travels that far for only one week? I know Americans don't get many days of paid leave, still...).
Who are they? Michael Shapner and Lizzie Ross are New Yorkers, Michael is a Pulitzer winner who hasn't written anything in a long time, Lizzie is a free-lance writer. They're joined on the trip by Taylor and Finn Dolan, and their beautiful but extremely shy ten-year-old daughter, Snow. Finn is a successful restaurateur and Taylor works for Portland tourism agency.
They're affluent people, some more snobbish than others. On this trip, they do the usual, visit some tourist attractions, walk the streets and eat out.
Each adult gets to voice their views in alternating chapters and so we get to know all of them, warts and all. Under those polished, sophisticated appearances there are lots of warts. No two relationships are the same, as no two people are the same. The group dynamics change and shift. The seemingly angel-looking child is always present and connects the couples.
There's so much to sink your teeth into. Don't expect to fall in love with any of the characters, they're highly unlikeable, but also extremely realistic.
This is not a feel-good novel, but man, it's so good, so gritty and captivating, with a terrific twist and some fabulously perverse characters.
Highly recommend it.
I've received this novel via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Oneworld Publications for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
Two American couples take a one week trip to Italy (who travels that far for only one week? I know Americans don't get many days of paid leave, still...).
Who are they? Michael Shapner and Lizzie Ross are New Yorkers, Michael is a Pulitzer winner who hasn't written anything in a long time, Lizzie is a free-lance writer. They're joined on the trip by Taylor and Finn Dolan, and their beautiful but extremely shy ten-year-old daughter, Snow. Finn is a successful restaurateur and Taylor works for Portland tourism agency.
They're affluent people, some more snobbish than others. On this trip, they do the usual, visit some tourist attractions, walk the streets and eat out.
Each adult gets to voice their views in alternating chapters and so we get to know all of them, warts and all. Under those polished, sophisticated appearances there are lots of warts. No two relationships are the same, as no two people are the same. The group dynamics change and shift. The seemingly angel-looking child is always present and connects the couples.
There's so much to sink your teeth into. Don't expect to fall in love with any of the characters, they're highly unlikeable, but also extremely realistic.
This is not a feel-good novel, but man, it's so good, so gritty and captivating, with a terrific twist and some fabulously perverse characters.
Highly recommend it.
I've received this novel via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Oneworld Publications for the opportunity to read and review this novel.