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rly18's review against another edition
2.0
I really felt the premise of this story was strong and I was intrigued with the initial pages and set up. The story alternates perspectives between Angie, Ruby, and Silja and while I didn't love this it worked ok to propel the story forward. My main critique is this is a very meandering plot and even by 50 % I was wondering if anything was going to happen. It seemed to be mainly a character study and the only character I cared at all for was Silja. I kept hoping the pace would pick up but it really didn't until finally at around 75% things started happening. By then the plot twists were unremarkable and pretty predictable. I read mainly to find out about Silja's character and in the end I can't say this worked for me. I think those who enjoy drawn out character studies with subtle unreliability and can hold out until the very end for things to transpire may like this.
mandavision's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
whatthemel's review against another edition
4.0
If this book gets made into a movie, Megan Stott needs to play Ruby, thank you.
katiestroble's review against another edition
4.0
THE GLASS FOREST IS “a deeply gripping literary suspense novel set in the 1960s about a deeply troubled family and three women who will reveal its dark truths.” when i read that, i KNEW i was really going to love this book (hint: i was right!). i’ve been waffling between rating it a 4 or a 4.5 stars out of 5 so do me (and yourselves) a favor and read this bad boy so you can help me make up my mind.
itsbooktalk's review against another edition
2.0
I really felt the premise of this story was strong and I was intrigued with the initial pages and set up. The story alternates perspectives between Angie, Ruby, and Silja and while I didn't love this it worked ok to propel the story forward. My main critique is this is a very meandering plot and even by 50 % I was wondering if anything was going to happen. It seemed to be mainly a character study and the only character I cared at all for was Silja. I kept hoping the pace would pick up but it really didn't until finally at around 75% things started happening. By then the plot twists were unremarkable and pretty predictable. I read mainly to find out about Silja's character and in the end I can't say this worked for me. I think those who enjoy drawn out character studies with subtle unreliability and can hold out until the very end for things to transpire may like this.
pugli's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
abundanceofbooks's review against another edition
3.0
A very slow book, that seems to build to something, but the payoff isn't worth the slog through the first three quarters of the book. The book tries to build suspense, but it's seemingly out of nowhere. It provides very little motivation to actually figure out what happens to these characters.
At least the cover is amazing.
Spoiler
Also, can we talk about how Ruby just murders people and we never delve into her psyche about how she could possibly do such a thing and be totally cool with it?! And no one else seems particularly upset about it either. Also, her relationship with Paul is always hinted at, but left in a gray area for me.At least the cover is amazing.
emilia_18's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Literally such a great book had three perspectives within the family. All cisfemale perspectives. Would read againheyfarahey's review against another edition
4.0
Set during the racial turmoil and racial tension in the United States in the 1960s, The Glass Forest is an engrossing multigenerational saga that follows the mystery of Henry’s suicide and his wife, Silja’s sudden disappearance. The story kicked off when Ruby, their daughter, called her aunt informing her about the tragedy. The aunt and her family rushed off and flew out to New York to be by Ruby’s side.
“There was no way to know, really, when he was being authentic and when he wasn’t.”
I absolutely devoured this book. It presents a deeply disturbing character study that deals with obsessions, manipulations and lost innocence. Both an atmospheric suspense and an engrossing family saga, this richly historical crime novel explores the rampant display of racial tension during the critical period of post World War II and the deeply ingrained sexism that limits the rights of women in the twentieth century. Although I have guessed most of the twists, I really enjoyed the measured progression of madness and manipulation that the author carefully crafted throughout the pages.
Overall, I was really impressed with this one and I can’t wait to see what the author will offer next. Recommended.
“There was no way to know, really, when he was being authentic and when he wasn’t.”
I absolutely devoured this book. It presents a deeply disturbing character study that deals with obsessions, manipulations and lost innocence. Both an atmospheric suspense and an engrossing family saga, this richly historical crime novel explores the rampant display of racial tension during the critical period of post World War II and the deeply ingrained sexism that limits the rights of women in the twentieth century. Although I have guessed most of the twists, I really enjoyed the measured progression of madness and manipulation that the author carefully crafted throughout the pages.
Overall, I was really impressed with this one and I can’t wait to see what the author will offer next. Recommended.
dwittkop's review against another edition
4.0
A phone call from her teenage niece she's only met once puts Angie's life in a spiral. The niece, Ruby, frantically reports that her mother, Silja, has gone missing and her father, Henry, is dead from an apparent suicide. Running to tell her beloved husband Paul that his brother is dead and his sister-in-law is missing, Angie only wants to help the family heal. Paul, Angie and their baby son, PJ, all board a plane going from Wisconsin to Stonekill, New York to be at Ruby's side.
As the story unfolds, Angie becomes aware of past events in the families' lives that makes her question what really happened. Learning that terrible war trauma caused paranoia in Henry so deeply that he believes that anyone with a thought differing from his is a Communist - including his own wife. Silja's chaste life creating a deep desire for any form of companionship which leads to a hidden relationship outside of her marriage. To, worse of all, the revelation that her amazingly handsome. loving, faithful husband was run out of Stonekill years back due to accusations of inappropriate advances toward a minor. How well does Angie know anything about this family or her life she's made?
Only once Angie is able to break through the barrier that her niece has constructed of self-preservation, does she realize that there is danger not only for Ruby, but for Angie herself and her baby. The truth must be revealed but only at the assurance that they all three will remain unharmed. Ruby, a much stronger and mature woman than anyone is aware, navigates how all is brought to light. The question becomes, how well does Angie know Ruby and to what extent does she extend her trust.
A truly gripping tale that is highly recommended.
As the story unfolds, Angie becomes aware of past events in the families' lives that makes her question what really happened. Learning that terrible war trauma caused paranoia in Henry so deeply that he believes that anyone with a thought differing from his is a Communist - including his own wife. Silja's chaste life creating a deep desire for any form of companionship which leads to a hidden relationship outside of her marriage. To, worse of all, the revelation that her amazingly handsome. loving, faithful husband was run out of Stonekill years back due to accusations of inappropriate advances toward a minor. How well does Angie know anything about this family or her life she's made?
Only once Angie is able to break through the barrier that her niece has constructed of self-preservation, does she realize that there is danger not only for Ruby, but for Angie herself and her baby. The truth must be revealed but only at the assurance that they all three will remain unharmed. Ruby, a much stronger and mature woman than anyone is aware, navigates how all is brought to light. The question becomes, how well does Angie know Ruby and to what extent does she extend her trust.
A truly gripping tale that is highly recommended.