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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
I picked this book up a couple of years ago at The Book Thing - I'm not quite sure what caught my eye about it, and I don't think the dustjacket fully captures what the book is about. That said, I really enjoyed the book and the unexpected plot points. At times, it was hard to follow what was happening, especially because some chapters jumped back in time. And I found it hard to keep up with any scenes that involved movement or action or fighting. But I thought Lena as a slightly unreliable narrator, even though she's sworn to never technically lie, was a fantastic character all around.
I adore all her books! I've only ever listened to them on audiobook and was excited when I presented this for book club and it got chosen!
It's as wonderful as I remembered. Joshilyn Jackson has this seamless way of flowing into the past and back to the present.
It's as wonderful as I remembered. Joshilyn Jackson has this seamless way of flowing into the past and back to the present.
High expectations based on The Girl Who Stopped Swimming (which is definitely a favorite), so maybe it's partially my fault that this one seemed to fall short. The plot is supposed to be circular and mysterious but it ends up being redundant and difficult to read - the characters keep making assumptions and acting based on those, then they realize they were completely wrong and make new assumptions and act based on those, on and on and on. No character is particularly relatable or likeable. I'm glad Jackson wants to keep writing about strong female protagonists, but Arlene doesn't really make sense. She is a bundle of good, interesting contradictions, like the Southern girl grown up and moved to the city, and the smart woman sometimes lacking in social or common sense, but too often she is just incongruous with herself, or mean, or preachy. Instead of satisfaction upon reaching the end, I was relieved to be done with these distant characters and the tiring plot. But that doesn't mean I still don't adore Jackson's writing talent and language.
Fun, quick read. It wasn't exactly a light-hearted romp, but the darkness of some of the events didn't overcome the characters. Would definitely recommend, if only for the quirky southern characters.
I loved this book - it had me from the very first line.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was.... adequate. Like I didnt hate reading it, but I also didnt care about any of the characters and found it to be unrealistic on a lot of levels, which might work in say, fantasy novels, but not so much here. I also didn't love the "Whats in my pocketses" approach of starting at the end but without really understanding what happened.
I didn't hate it, but definitely not anything I'd recommend to my friends or want to pass along.
I didn't hate it, but definitely not anything I'd recommend to my friends or want to pass along.
