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3.33 AVERAGE
3.33 AVERAGE
Two couples on their trip to Italy. Michael, a famous writer, and Lizzie, his wife. Both have affairs, Michael with the waitress of their favourite restaurant, Lizzie with Finn, husband of Taylor, father of Snow and lover of Lizzie. The five of them only get along quite awkwardly, but the trip becomes even more catastrophic when Michael's lover Kathy unexpectedly also shows up in Siracusa. All of them want to get rid of their partner - but how to tell them?
The novel is the perfect summer read. The circumstances- an Italian island, stressed people forced together and masses of lies which threaten to come to the light - are ideal for quarrels and accidents. What I liked especially was the fact not to have a narrator but to let the four characters tell the story from their point of view and also commented by each other. In this way you could read the same incident from different perspectives and now and again you were ahead of one of them, nervous to follow the revelation of the lies. Underlying it all was the basic question of how to live your life and what to do when you are unhappy. So besides some rather lightweight summer holiday story, there is also something to think about.
The novel is the perfect summer read. The circumstances- an Italian island, stressed people forced together and masses of lies which threaten to come to the light - are ideal for quarrels and accidents. What I liked especially was the fact not to have a narrator but to let the four characters tell the story from their point of view and also commented by each other. In this way you could read the same incident from different perspectives and now and again you were ahead of one of them, nervous to follow the revelation of the lies. Underlying it all was the basic question of how to live your life and what to do when you are unhappy. So besides some rather lightweight summer holiday story, there is also something to think about.
Another great summer read. Slightly predictable but not annoyingly so.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.5 rating. If you're looking for a fast-paced suspense with a killer plot twist...this ain't it. However, if you like POV switching between four unreliable, narcissistic narrators, you will enjoy this. I hated everyone for different reasons, and some of the elements were perhaps far-reaching, but reasonably entertaining. You will get sucked in by the drama and stay for the conclusion.
I received copy of Siracusa from Blue Rider Press through a Goodreads giveaway!
The story is told through four different people. Two couples go on vacation to Italy. Lizzie and Michael with Taylor and Finn. Taylor and Finn bring along their daughter Snow. Snow is incredible shy and you only hear of her talking a handful of times through the entire book. Right from the start I knew she was going to play a major role in this story.
While I love the alternating points of view, as it always keeps me turning pages, I felt that the beginning of the story was slow. The big plot twist comes at the very very end so you need to enjoy the rest of the story to appreciate the book. If you simply looking for a thriller, I don't think this is the book for you. Overall I enjoyed the book but wished that there was a bit more suspense throughout the entire book, not just at the end.
The story is told through four different people. Two couples go on vacation to Italy. Lizzie and Michael with Taylor and Finn. Taylor and Finn bring along their daughter Snow. Snow is incredible shy and you only hear of her talking a handful of times through the entire book. Right from the start I knew she was going to play a major role in this story.
While I love the alternating points of view, as it always keeps me turning pages, I felt that the beginning of the story was slow. The big plot twist comes at the very very end so you need to enjoy the rest of the story to appreciate the book. If you simply looking for a thriller, I don't think this is the book for you. Overall I enjoyed the book but wished that there was a bit more suspense throughout the entire book, not just at the end.
Siracusa is a quick and entertaining read. Told by four different narrators, who all speak directly to the reader, the book kept my interest from the very first page. Two couples decide to vacation together to Italy and bring along the baggage of marriage and one seemingly innocent child. When the trip takes a turn for the worst, the existing relationship problems are magnified.
The characters are generally unlikeable. Worn down by their life choices, not one of the narrators behaves in a way that makes the reader want to identify with them. Unfortunately, the short timeframe of the book doesn't allow for much, if any character growth. Since character growth is my "bread and butter" that's the reason I wasn't comfortable with a 5 star rating.
The book is the perfect summer read: doesn't require a huge time commitment and will interest a busy reader. The hook is somewhat surprising, but not earth shattering. Definitely worth a read.
The characters are generally unlikeable. Worn down by their life choices, not one of the narrators behaves in a way that makes the reader want to identify with them. Unfortunately, the short timeframe of the book doesn't allow for much, if any character growth. Since character growth is my "bread and butter" that's the reason I wasn't comfortable with a 5 star rating.
The book is the perfect summer read: doesn't require a huge time commitment and will interest a busy reader. The hook is somewhat surprising, but not earth shattering. Definitely worth a read.
Siracusa by Delia Ephron is a 2016 Blue Rider Press publication.
Edgy, suspenseful, and utterly absorbing!!
The synopsis promises the reader a trip to Italy, to Siracusa, in particular, with two married couples, Lizzie and Michael and Finn and Taylor. What starts off as a seemingly ideal and romantic vacation quickly deflates as the two couples experience marital discord, divulge and uncover secrets and sins, and flirt with disaster until it all blows up spectacularly. But underneath this explosive veneer, something far more sinister is brewing, something that will slowly sneak up behind you, and when it finally taps you on the shoulder, the hair will stand up on the back of your neck and shivers will run down your spine, and ultimately leave you shaken and very, very, uneasy.
Lizzie and Michael have been married for a good while, but are childless. He’s a famous writer, while Lizzie sticks to smaller projects. The couple are vacationing with Finn and Taylor, along with their pre-teen daughter, Snow.
Finn and Lizzie share a romantic past, which immediately brings tension to the situation. Michael’s always working on his novel, even it’s just in his head, and is constantly preoccupied, but, he is also hiding a huge secret, one that has him obsessing, but is weighing him down at the same time.
Taylor is totally disconnected from everyone, but her daughter, to the point of unhealthy obsession, as well as constantly trying to look chic, well dressed and put together, while, Snow suffers from extreme shyness, and quietly lurks in the background, allowing her mother to smother her at will.
The location is central to the story almost like a character in its own right. The old world charm should be soothing, relaxing, and romantic, but turns out to be anything but, as events unravel with lightning speed once they arrive in Siracusa.
Each of the adult characters tells the reader their version of events as they unfold, which highlights their self-absorption, and weaknesses, proving they are flawed on many levels, and I can’t say I sympathized with any of them all that much, but did wind up cheering for one them in the end.
The story is very well written, moves along at a brisk pace, and pops with sassy dialogue, and a bit of dark humor thrown in for good measure.
I was on the edge of my seat almost from the beginning, sensing something catastrophic was going to occur, while I watched the two couples try to create the illusion of a solid marriage, while they duke it out verbally and emotionally, riding a train that was obviously headed for derailment, but I never in a million years could have guessed how things would end up. There is a stunning development that leads to an even bigger and more shocking twist, you will never see coming, one that will change the lives of these five people forevermore.
I really liked this book and appreciated the author’s style, which is original and refreshing.
This story is deceptively clever, deliciously wicked and sly, and will leave you both amused and unsettled!
Fans of contemporary fiction will enjoy this one, but so will those who enjoy novels of suspense and mysteries.
4 stars
Edgy, suspenseful, and utterly absorbing!!
The synopsis promises the reader a trip to Italy, to Siracusa, in particular, with two married couples, Lizzie and Michael and Finn and Taylor. What starts off as a seemingly ideal and romantic vacation quickly deflates as the two couples experience marital discord, divulge and uncover secrets and sins, and flirt with disaster until it all blows up spectacularly. But underneath this explosive veneer, something far more sinister is brewing, something that will slowly sneak up behind you, and when it finally taps you on the shoulder, the hair will stand up on the back of your neck and shivers will run down your spine, and ultimately leave you shaken and very, very, uneasy.
Lizzie and Michael have been married for a good while, but are childless. He’s a famous writer, while Lizzie sticks to smaller projects. The couple are vacationing with Finn and Taylor, along with their pre-teen daughter, Snow.
Finn and Lizzie share a romantic past, which immediately brings tension to the situation. Michael’s always working on his novel, even it’s just in his head, and is constantly preoccupied, but, he is also hiding a huge secret, one that has him obsessing, but is weighing him down at the same time.
Taylor is totally disconnected from everyone, but her daughter, to the point of unhealthy obsession, as well as constantly trying to look chic, well dressed and put together, while, Snow suffers from extreme shyness, and quietly lurks in the background, allowing her mother to smother her at will.
The location is central to the story almost like a character in its own right. The old world charm should be soothing, relaxing, and romantic, but turns out to be anything but, as events unravel with lightning speed once they arrive in Siracusa.
Each of the adult characters tells the reader their version of events as they unfold, which highlights their self-absorption, and weaknesses, proving they are flawed on many levels, and I can’t say I sympathized with any of them all that much, but did wind up cheering for one them in the end.
The story is very well written, moves along at a brisk pace, and pops with sassy dialogue, and a bit of dark humor thrown in for good measure.
I was on the edge of my seat almost from the beginning, sensing something catastrophic was going to occur, while I watched the two couples try to create the illusion of a solid marriage, while they duke it out verbally and emotionally, riding a train that was obviously headed for derailment, but I never in a million years could have guessed how things would end up. There is a stunning development that leads to an even bigger and more shocking twist, you will never see coming, one that will change the lives of these five people forevermore.
I really liked this book and appreciated the author’s style, which is original and refreshing.
This story is deceptively clever, deliciously wicked and sly, and will leave you both amused and unsettled!
Fans of contemporary fiction will enjoy this one, but so will those who enjoy novels of suspense and mysteries.
4 stars
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
I was disappointed by this book. The premise was interesting and the shifting perspectives were well done... but I think that the plot was confusing and this story perpetuates the notion that southern Italy is dangerous and that people should only visit the north. For about 80% of this book, the four main characters are having extreme marital drama. Then it very suddenly becomes a thriller. I am not sure that Ephron was able to make that part of the book believable, simply because it wasn't set up in any noticeable way. Without giving away any spoilers, the primary person involved in the thriller portion of the book has little to no character development. It's just very odd.