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eashgoyal's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
megsy13's review against another edition
3.0
It jumped straight into the story. Slightly pretentious at times but very interesting
mstapel's review against another edition
5.0
A read that I could not put down! A fantastic read that examines one individual's life that is lived because of others and not one's own desires. It is amazing how the author describes the fascination of the main character and his Anna and how that dedication continues through out all else. Highly recommended!
takumo_n's review against another edition
3.0
A man with a perfect marriage and perfect children gets obsessed by his son's new girlfriend, to the point of complete fallout. The novel show us two different types of brokenness and how far it could lead you to destruction if you try to repair it in sin instead of reaching a deeper understanding of your problems. It's difficult for the two protagonists because they're both brilliant and experienced adults, and they find that this could be their way out of the bottomless despair they feel. Pretty solid stuff. The problem is that everything is so impersonal that you just feel as if you're watching a bomb ticking away, but it does explode!!
Though it may arrive with shocking suddenness, horror devours its prey slowly. Through hours of days and years, it spreads its sullen darkness into every corner of the being it has conquered. As hope drains like blood from a fatal wound, a heavy weakness descends. The victim slips into the underworld where he must search for new paths in what he now knows will be a permanent darkness.
Though it may arrive with shocking suddenness, horror devours its prey slowly. Through hours of days and years, it spreads its sullen darkness into every corner of the being it has conquered. As hope drains like blood from a fatal wound, a heavy weakness descends. The victim slips into the underworld where he must search for new paths in what he now knows will be a permanent darkness.
morganfreydl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
hlouie8's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
3.5
annatan's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Child death, Infidelity, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit
idi0twind's review against another edition
3.0
mayyybe 3.5. it started out pretty poorly written, the second half was great, the film is leagues better
pinkacorn's review against another edition
3.0
I was both drawn and pushed by this book. The writing is at times striking. Bothersome is the idea that "damaged" people are insidious or calculating or obsessive as is presented by both Anne and the narrator.
Language like "children are the great gamble - from the moment they are born, our helplessness increases. Instead of being ours to mould and shape after our best knowledge and endeavour, they are themselves" both pushes me away and pulls me in. I worry about imposing myself on my children's personalities as they grow and see how striking they are their own selves. And are damaged people thus because they have people ruling over them?
"It was as though they had learned some technique for dealing with terror. The technique was denial, discipline, and silence."
wow
Language like "children are the great gamble - from the moment they are born, our helplessness increases. Instead of being ours to mould and shape after our best knowledge and endeavour, they are themselves" both pushes me away and pulls me in. I worry about imposing myself on my children's personalities as they grow and see how striking they are their own selves. And are damaged people thus because they have people ruling over them?
"It was as though they had learned some technique for dealing with terror. The technique was denial, discipline, and silence."
wow