Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
challenging
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
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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
This is a frankly WILD book that is NOT about WWI (misleading title) but instead about the incredibly messy dynamics between two adulterous couples. It’s “the saddest story” because no one ends up with what they want and multiple people die/lose it in the process. Basically, don’t have a serial cheating problem because it seems like it will ruin your life.
Honestly, the book was kind of confusing to read because of how unreliable the narrator, John Dowell, is. He is SO passive in his own meandering telling of the story that it makes you think he’s either incredibly naïve and just unfortunate or a total sociopath who belongs in a Patricia Highsmith novel. Can we trust anything he tells us? Is the whole book an elaborate alibi? I think this would be a great novel to study in class or discuss with a book club — there’s so many potential theories to explore.
Honestly, the book was kind of confusing to read because of how unreliable the narrator, John Dowell, is. He is SO passive in his own meandering telling of the story that it makes you think he’s either incredibly naïve and just unfortunate or a total sociopath who belongs in a Patricia Highsmith novel. Can we trust anything he tells us? Is the whole book an elaborate alibi? I think this would be a great novel to study in class or discuss with a book club — there’s so many potential theories to explore.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicide
mysterious
reflective
Never have I ever been more conflicted, confused, and confounded at a read. To try to find anything to believe in this story would result in nothing but you losing your mind.
reflective
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
you can hold a gun to my head and I won't be able to tell you what happened in this book
challenging
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
I loved the style of the writing but didn't enjoy the story.
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes