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3.19 AVERAGE
3.19 AVERAGE
I think this is more of a 3.5 stars. I didn't like it as much as We Were Liars, although I know it's stupid to compare the two as they're completely different. It took me a while to get used to the writing style and how it was presented. There were also parts that I wanted more clarification on because I had to reread a few parts to get a decent understanding. It was a gripping book, I read it so quickly, but I just didn't love it. What I did really like though was the anti-hero element. I'd like to read this again but read it backwards so it might make more sense in the parts that confused me. I liked that it was a different writing style but it's just something I had to get used to and adapt to.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am a big thriller book girly, so I picked this up based on Libby available x thriller subcategory. I had read “We Were Liars” before and remembered liking it, so I thought I’d give another e.lockhart book a read.
I absolutely devoured this book—I read 75% of it in one sitting. I loved the lines blurring between Jule and Imogen, and how unreliable Jule was. Jule’s background as a SA victim to “superhero” martial artist was compelling even though she does so many morally reprehensible things throughout the novel. Imogen’s bubbliness yet ability to treat others as second-class citizens definitely made her easy but hard to love at the same time. The excitement of when Jule would slip up, how she wormed her way into Imogen’s life, and getting crumbs of her background definitely made the book for me. I really liked the reverse chronological order, and thought the pacing held well until of course the end.
I’m pretty sure everyone’s main criticism of this book is the ending, which of course feels so rushed for all that it is built up to be and deliver to a reader. I was disappointed more by how unfleshed out it was rather than the actual ending. I actually liked the switch up by the detective in who steals whose identity and Jule finally letting the last of Imogen go to continue her impersonations. However, the fight and Jule’s win just felt too unearned sadly.
I still really enjoyed this book, and I’d be interested to read more of this author’s work.
I absolutely devoured this book—I read 75% of it in one sitting. I loved the lines blurring between Jule and Imogen, and how unreliable Jule was. Jule’s background as a SA victim to “superhero” martial artist was compelling even though she does so many morally reprehensible things throughout the novel. Imogen’s bubbliness yet ability to treat others as second-class citizens definitely made her easy but hard to love at the same time. The excitement of when Jule would slip up, how she wormed her way into Imogen’s life, and getting crumbs of her background definitely made the book for me. I really liked the reverse chronological order, and thought the pacing held well until of course the end.
I’m pretty sure everyone’s main criticism of this book is the ending, which of course feels so rushed for all that it is built up to be and deliver to a reader. I was disappointed more by how unfleshed out it was rather than the actual ending. I actually liked the switch up by the detective in who steals whose identity and Jule finally letting the last of Imogen go to continue her impersonations. However, the fight and Jule’s win just felt too unearned sadly.
I still really enjoyed this book, and I’d be interested to read more of this author’s work.
2.5
I loved We Were Liars so I kind of had high expectations going in.
The plot has everything that would make a great story but it just fell flat for me. The first 100 pages just felt very slow, around the 140 page mark it got better and more interesting for me. However, that was short lived and just got bored again. The ending did tie everything up but I felt like there was more of the story that could be told.
I loved We Were Liars so I kind of had high expectations going in.
The plot has everything that would make a great story but it just fell flat for me. The first 100 pages just felt very slow, around the 140 page mark it got better and more interesting for me. However, that was short lived and just got bored again. The ending did tie everything up but I felt like there was more of the story that could be told.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well.
This is such a frustrating book.
I really like characters that are meant to be unlikeable and this book is full of them, however if you had read Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr Ripley (E. Lockhart couldn’t have been more inspired) then you’ll know this book, they are very similar to those characters and so is the plot.
I really like how the plot develops, the story going backwards as Jules tells the story, however in places it can feel like the story is almost filler, to an ending that really is a bit of an anti-climax. Nothing really happened, it was too easy for a character that is developed as someone strong, tough and smart.
It has a good pace and the writing is fantastic - this book will keep you hooked no matter what, not to mention the scene setting is very picturesque. How Lockhart paints the places the characters go in the book is amazing, however for me it’s story that’s already been told and been done better really.
(I got an ARC of this book from Netgalley for a honest review).
This is such a frustrating book.
I really like characters that are meant to be unlikeable and this book is full of them, however if you had read Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr Ripley (E. Lockhart couldn’t have been more inspired) then you’ll know this book, they are very similar to those characters and so is the plot.
I really like how the plot develops, the story going backwards as Jules tells the story, however in places it can feel like the story is almost filler, to an ending that really is a bit of an anti-climax. Nothing really happened, it was too easy for a character that is developed as someone strong, tough and smart.
It has a good pace and the writing is fantastic - this book will keep you hooked no matter what, not to mention the scene setting is very picturesque. How Lockhart paints the places the characters go in the book is amazing, however for me it’s story that’s already been told and been done better really.
(I got an ARC of this book from Netgalley for a honest review).
"Genuine Fraud" tries to tackle the difficult narrative of following an unlikeable character's descent into terrible, horrific actions. But forgets the rule that if you can't make a character worth rooting for you have to compensate by making them so compelling that readers will maintain interest through sheer fascination. A teenage girl cypher who consumes the identity of a shallow socialite is like combining two lacking personalities into a bland sandwich filled with a mayonaise of oblique references to superheroes and Victiorian novels.
And, unfortunately, the gimmick of reverse chronology also handicapped the story by removing any tension the plot may have provided where characters failed. We know Jule took Imogene's identity by the first chapter, then are scuttled back in time to see how it happened but it's a very predictable plot, especially if you've read or watched "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (is it possible spoilers if it's so obvious?).
E. Lockhart has proven capable of writing smart, complicated characters before so I'm hoping this is just a misfire in her work because it's a poor imitation of psychological thrillers otherwise.
And, unfortunately, the gimmick of reverse chronology also handicapped the story by removing any tension the plot may have provided where characters failed. We know Jule took Imogene's identity by the first chapter, then are scuttled back in time to see how it happened but it's a very predictable plot, especially if you've read or watched "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (is it possible spoilers if it's so obvious?).
E. Lockhart has proven capable of writing smart, complicated characters before so I'm hoping this is just a misfire in her work because it's a poor imitation of psychological thrillers otherwise.
Jule's story is told backwards, with each chapter preceding the chapter before it. As the layers unfold, we come to learn how Jule came to be hiding in the back of the car of a bartender at the hotel where she's been staying. A story of identity theft that is fun and compelling to read.
i am still very confused. probably need to re-read to put all of the pieces together but i dont like the book enough to re-read tbh.
imo there's not enough context and explanation for what happened and how it happened.
imo there's not enough context and explanation for what happened and how it happened.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-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
The reverse chronology of this book is impressive, and you have to be thinking to keep everything straight. In the end though, I really expected more from it. Something about the last chapter felt mundane, maybe not by normal standards, but in comparison to the rest of the book for sure.
That being said, the details were spot on and Lockhart did a great job developing Jule as a private, brave, untrustworthy, but very compelling character.
That being said, the details were spot on and Lockhart did a great job developing Jule as a private, brave, untrustworthy, but very compelling character.