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viewsshewrites's review against another edition
1.0
I didn't read the whole book. Just a few chapters at the start and a couple chapters at the end. And that gave me the entire gist of the story.
After reading all the other reviews, my feeling of the book with just a few chapters feel validated.
It is definitely not worth spending your time reading this one. Unfortunately, the story is neither believable nor is it a thriller. There is no satisfaction at the end. In fact the book ends more like on a cliffhanger with no conclusion in the foreseeable future.
After reading all the other reviews, my feeling of the book with just a few chapters feel validated.
It is definitely not worth spending your time reading this one. Unfortunately, the story is neither believable nor is it a thriller. There is no satisfaction at the end. In fact the book ends more like on a cliffhanger with no conclusion in the foreseeable future.
awhipple's review against another edition
4.0
I stumbled upon this book while looking for something to read while traveling, and I was intrigued by both the description and the Amazon reviews, which were unusually spread across the 1 to 5 star range. Count me among those who really enjoyed it! The narration alternates between two women living in London--Nina and Emma. Nina is obsessed with Emma, and the reason for her obsession is the mystery behind the novel. The disappointment of many readers with this novel lies in part, I think, with the resolution of this mystery. As the author slyly indicates through Nina at one point, real-life thrillers may not have the final twists that popular culture leads us to expect and desire. The novel also ends with a rather big question, but I was not personally unsatisfied by it. She resolved the story she was telling, and I don't think she needed to say more.
lisbethd's review against another edition
5.0
I thought this was an excellent, excellent psychological thriller, very atmospheric and well written, chock full of the tiny details that make up the lives of women of a certain age living in the affluent south of England.
At first I kind of agreed with those who feel that the motive was too slight but mental illness comes in many different flavours and when I thought about it the next day I realised that it made the story even more scary than at first read, that Nina could have spun such a tiny episode (her father taking an unhealthy interest in an innocent teenager) into "she ruined my life and she should pay, many years later".
I don't normally like endings that leave the reader hanging but leaving the scene in that way lets you decide just how far Nina was prepared to go. Did she intend only to scare Emma and Christopher or was it hideously worse.
I'm now going to find her first book, Alys, Always to read as soon as I can and will be on the lookout for her work in the future. A definite fan.
At first I kind of agreed with those who feel that the motive was too slight but mental illness comes in many different flavours and when I thought about it the next day I realised that it made the story even more scary than at first read, that Nina could have spun such a tiny episode (her father taking an unhealthy interest in an innocent teenager) into "she ruined my life and she should pay, many years later".
I don't normally like endings that leave the reader hanging but leaving the scene in that way lets you decide just how far Nina was prepared to go. Did she intend only to scare Emma and Christopher or was it hideously worse.
I'm now going to find her first book, Alys, Always to read as soon as I can and will be on the lookout for her work in the future. A definite fan.
cheyenie's review against another edition
1.0
A really slow read. I kept thinking it would build up to something. The ending was a let down and a cop out.
lclindley's review against another edition
2.0
Gimmicky plot twists and prose that reminded me of Room, two things I'm never fond of. I didn't think that the long awaited payoff was worth suffering through the far too obvious devices leading up to it.
klwgregory's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
2.0
ann_eats_and_runs's review against another edition
3.0
I'd give this book four stars, I couldn't put it down, but I was so disgusted by Nina's motivation when we finally learned her deal that I gave it three instead. It's a quick read, only took me a few hours, the prose is lovely but Nina needs to get a freaking grip.
jennsie's review against another edition
2.0
Hmmm. I think this suffered from a silly unbelievable motivation for one of the main characters, and a rushed ending.
chryscurl's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this right down to the last gasp, what an ending! The interactions between Nina and Emma were fascinating, and being told from both sides brought a wonderful sense of perspective. The unspoken questions are how well do we truly know our friends and acquaintances, what motivates them and what they really think of us. We all have reasons for doing certain things, but how do we justify our actions.
I had a real sense of both characters. There were no excuses made by giving them specific conditions such as alcoholism or depression, they were just flawed and all the more realistic because of this. Nina was terrifying at times and yet I felt almost sympathetic, but only almost!
I had a real sense of both characters. There were no excuses made by giving them specific conditions such as alcoholism or depression, they were just flawed and all the more realistic because of this. Nina was terrifying at times and yet I felt almost sympathetic, but only almost!