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knp4597's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
3.5
cappog's review
dark
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
wayka's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
cornwife's review
I’ve watched the show many times and love it dearly, but the great thing about books is everyone is a thousand times bitchier.
xsymphonica's review against another edition
dark
reflective
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
3.5
saritaroth's review
4.0
This book, although boring in parts, was worth it in the end. The book details the crime allegedly perpetrated by James McDermott and Grace Marks in 1843. The book was based on a crime that did take place at that time at a farm outside of Toronto, Canada. McDermott and Marks were caught and originally sentenced to death for the murder of Thomas Kinnear, their employer. Kinnear's housekeeper, Nancy Montgomery, was also brutally killed, but the court felt it was redundant to try the defendants for her murder as well. McDermott was hanged for Kinnear's murder, but the jury took pity on Grace Marks, most likely because she was only sixteen, and commuted her sentence to life imprisonment. Just shy of thirty years later, Marks was set free.
Alias Grace was especially intriguing, because it was based on true events. Although the crimes occurred, the character, Dr. Simon Jordan, the psychiatrist called in to interview Marks to determine whether or not she was in fact insane, seems to be pure fabrication. There was in the book also speculation that Marks was possessed by a demon and that that is what led her to commit such acts. It was obvious to me, though, that Dr. Jordan was able to determine that Grace Marks suffered from D.I.D. (Dissociative Identity Disorder), although at the time a lot of psychiatric patients suffering from such illnesses were thought to be possessed by demons. I know that, in the book as well as in the course of true events, there was much speculation about whether Grace Marks was insane or whether she was faking in order to get a reduced sentence. D.I.D. is often difficult to diagnose for that reason.
Although, as I said, parts were boring, mostly the parts when Grace details her life up until she goes to work for Mr. Kinnear, I was glad I stuck with it, because the sections centering around the murders and the speculation of Marks' guilt or innocence was exciting; I often felt my jaw drop at some of the details and revelations. I would definitely recommend it, especially if you are interested in crime novels. One further note: there is currently a miniseries called Alias Grace on Netflix that I am planning on watching to compare the miniseries with the novel. I'll let you know how it goes.
Alias Grace was especially intriguing, because it was based on true events. Although the crimes occurred, the character, Dr. Simon Jordan, the psychiatrist called in to interview Marks to determine whether or not she was in fact insane, seems to be pure fabrication. There was in the book also speculation that Marks was possessed by a demon and that that is what led her to commit such acts. It was obvious to me, though, that Dr. Jordan was able to determine that Grace Marks suffered from D.I.D. (Dissociative Identity Disorder), although at the time a lot of psychiatric patients suffering from such illnesses were thought to be possessed by demons. I know that, in the book as well as in the course of true events, there was much speculation about whether Grace Marks was insane or whether she was faking in order to get a reduced sentence. D.I.D. is often difficult to diagnose for that reason.
Although, as I said, parts were boring, mostly the parts when Grace details her life up until she goes to work for Mr. Kinnear, I was glad I stuck with it, because the sections centering around the murders and the speculation of Marks' guilt or innocence was exciting; I often felt my jaw drop at some of the details and revelations. I would definitely recommend it, especially if you are interested in crime novels. One further note: there is currently a miniseries called Alias Grace on Netflix that I am planning on watching to compare the miniseries with the novel. I'll let you know how it goes.
wiltingnightshade's review
dark
slow-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
0.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Fatphobia
DNF'd... although I could see that it's a well-written story, I had to stop reading because this book perpetuate harmful myths about mental illness,