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juliannasiegrist's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
could have been better, I just needed more development from the characters and more of a look into both of the families in order for it to really hit
smorrison4's review against another edition
fast-paced
3.0
This was a f**ked up story. There were so many things happening that are horrifically wrong. I get that this is fiction, it still felt wrong reading some of these scenes.
billymac1962's review against another edition
4.0
As I begin this review, I still don't know whether to give this novel two stars or four.
I'll start with some things I didn't like:
I wasn't that keen on her writing style. I didn't notice this in The Fever, but it seemed the writing was a little too lyrical or poetic at points. This is something that typically drives me away, but I persevered because I became vested very early on in the story.
Another thing I don't like is ambiguity. To a point. I don't mind it if it's something we're not privy to (in this case,,), but I really resent it when we are present in a scene and come away not really knowing what happened (in this case, ). I can assume, but why put the reader through that? It's unnecessary in my opinion.
Also, I'm not a prude, and frankly I love stories that will push limits.
But, oh boy. This one really made me uncomfortable. This is what makes it tough to recommend.
What I did like:
I was so highly engaged in the story I could hardly put it down. Despite the writing style which is saying a lot, coming from me.
And, despite the ugly nature of the story, as much as it was bothersome, I can't get the damn book out of my mind. This is the mark of a great writer regardless of the context of the story.
I can't possibly give a novel that is so affecting two measly stars. So four it is.
It's worth noting here, that I wasn't intending on this novel as being my next Megan Abbott. But, the price suddenly dropped for Kindle so I took that as serendipitous. I know I still haven't read her better ones so this is exciting for sure.
Four stars, and, well, you've been warned.
I'll start with some things I didn't like:
I wasn't that keen on her writing style. I didn't notice this in The Fever, but it seemed the writing was a little too lyrical or poetic at points. This is something that typically drives me away, but I persevered because I became vested very early on in the story.
Another thing I don't like is ambiguity. To a point. I don't mind it if it's something we're not privy to (in this case,
Spoiler
Lizzie's view of Mr. Verver's and his daughter's relationshipSpoiler
what Lizzie actually did with Paul ShawAlso, I'm not a prude, and frankly I love stories that will push limits.
But, oh boy. This one really made me uncomfortable. This is what makes it tough to recommend.
What I did like:
I was so highly engaged in the story I could hardly put it down. Despite the writing style which is saying a lot, coming from me.
And, despite the ugly nature of the story, as much as it was bothersome, I can't get the damn book out of my mind. This is the mark of a great writer regardless of the context of the story.
I can't possibly give a novel that is so affecting two measly stars. So four it is.
It's worth noting here, that I wasn't intending on this novel as being my next Megan Abbott. But, the price suddenly dropped for Kindle so I took that as serendipitous. I know I still haven't read her better ones so this is exciting for sure.
Four stars, and, well, you've been warned.
jmj697mn's review against another edition
2.0
The premise of this book was so interesting and it had an overall creepy, noir vibe that was just fantastic. It's really too bad that every good thing in this book was over-shadowed by the authors overuse of adjectives. I honestly felt like I was reading a mad lib that was filled in by my 10 year old sister. Luckily, it was a quick read so I was able to finish it in a couple days but it really could have been phenomenal.
naturegirlj9's review against another edition
5.0
Megan Abbott really captures the innocence and vulnerability of childhood in this literary coming of age/mystery/crime novel. Abbott builds tension and atmosphere continually, building to a climax. By the time I finished it I was burning with anger at the adults who failed to get their heads out of their asses long enough to protect their children.
My only complaint is with the depiction of the Midwest in the 80s. Modern slang abounds with phrases like "epic fail", "she gifted me", etc, that we just didn't say back then. Maybe it will be a relief to some readers who came of age in the '80s that no one says things like "Dude", or "bogus". But I was disappointed that Abbott didn't take the setting all the way.
In spite of that, this story is so good that it transcends when or where it's set.
My only complaint is with the depiction of the Midwest in the 80s. Modern slang abounds with phrases like "epic fail", "she gifted me", etc, that we just didn't say back then. Maybe it will be a relief to some readers who came of age in the '80s that no one says things like "Dude", or "bogus". But I was disappointed that Abbott didn't take the setting all the way.
In spite of that, this story is so good that it transcends when or where it's set.
lilbittybritty1's review against another edition
1.0
I do not understand the point of this book. What was the author trying to prove? We know that there are perverted people in the world, but now are we saying that they include children. Was she maybe trying to point that things may not always be as they seem? Well she should have said it outright. Make the father a child molester and leave it at that. Honestly, I have never read a book so complicated and frustrating. I kept waiting for the story to turn, but it never did. I unsure if I'll read anything else from this author. Her writing is simply too incoherent for me.
amyv's review against another edition
3.0
Sometimes Abbott writes beautifully, and precisely captures the experience of being a (certain type of) teenage girl. Other times she uses purple prose, meaningless descriptions, and too many instances of "I felt something," "I knew something," "I saw something" to count. I was engaged enough to move through this book pretty quickly, but there were long sections that dragged between suspenseful scenes. And the end left me feeling... unsettled, but not in a way that felt deliberate.
Spoiler
I share the uneasy view of some other reviewers that the narration seems to frame these preteen girls as inviting their own abuse. Perhaps this reflected the immaturity of the narrator's worldview, but since Abbott begins the book with an older narrator reflecting back, it's hard to understand why that older voice couldn't provide some additional reflection at any point. I felt the book veered uncomfortably close to treating these girls as sirens, or to enjoying the consequences of their naïveté in a lascivious way.kphelps's review against another edition
3.0
Family can hurt you the most, because they know they can.
jlinn96's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25