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a_love's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
libraryofthieves's review
1.0
Contemporary literary fiction is not my usual thing, and maybe that's partly why I didn't like this book, but I REALLY didn't like this book. It was boring and felt emotionally disconnected. It felt like there should have been a big reveal but it never came, instead it just sort of leaked out and then never amounted to much.
The book was also oddly sexual and that one scene with the dog was so uncomfortable and so unnecessary. I kind of hated this book.
CWs: sexual abuse, child abuse, Alzheimer's, animal harm
The book was also oddly sexual and that one scene with the dog was so uncomfortable and so unnecessary. I kind of hated this book.
CWs: sexual abuse, child abuse, Alzheimer's, animal harm
spec_tacles's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Animal death, Suicide, and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Death, Drug abuse, and Incest
booksnacks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, and Animal cruelty
mackenzierm's review
I was cautiously intrigued by WHAT WE BOTH KNOW’s synopsis which led me to request the title on Netgalley. Rather unfortunately, the overall tone of the book (as far as I read anyway) is very vaguely dark and disturbing. The writing style was very much outside of my comfort zone as I found it to be vague and challenging to focus on and really dive into the story. It made for a jerky reading experience that I just could not get into.
Ultimately, this book surely has a particular audience - but I am not part of it. Many thanks for allowing me the opportunity to experience this book!
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, McClelland and Stewart (an imprint of Penguin Random House Canada), of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own. Upon publishing of this novel, I will also be posting my review to Amazon Canada.
Ultimately, this book surely has a particular audience - but I am not part of it. Many thanks for allowing me the opportunity to experience this book!
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, McClelland and Stewart (an imprint of Penguin Random House Canada), of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own. Upon publishing of this novel, I will also be posting my review to Amazon Canada.
snoriime's review
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
duhnae's review
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
It’s like getting to see Chekhov’s gun for the entire book, seeing someone take the safety off for a brief moment, put it back on, and then end the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Suicide, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Incest
jolee's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I felt totally at the mercy of this book. What We Both Know is disturbing and grotesque in its mundanity and secrecy. The slow unravelling of the narrator felt very reminiscent of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper. I couldn't stop reading and I couldn't look away.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Dementia, Incest, and Suicide
Minor: Self harm
ewmktng's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5