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katdid's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
Hyland's prose is so spare and unflinching it makes me really tense; I spent the entirety of this book waiting for the worst possible things to happen. I don't understand how she manages to write like that - zero embellishment; everything what it is - and not have it be a bore. This reminded me of [b:The Treatment and the Cure|2350666|The Treatment and the Cure|Peter Kocan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347732547s/2350666.jpg|2357377] even though that's written in second person and this is first person. I don't think this is quite as good as Hyland's [b:How the Light Gets In|251052|How the Light Gets In|M.J. Hyland|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348460321s/251052.jpg|2452847] but maybe that's because I related to the subject matter in that one more.
Hyland's prose is so spare and unflinching it makes me really tense; I spent the entirety of this book waiting for the worst possible things to happen. I don't understand how she manages to write like that - zero embellishment; everything what it is - and not have it be a bore. This reminded me of [b:The Treatment and the Cure|2350666|The Treatment and the Cure|Peter Kocan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347732547s/2350666.jpg|2357377]
Spoiler
since they're both about young men who've committed a crime and are incarcerated circa 1970s,mrs_phelps's review against another edition
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
georgia_brown's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
johnvson90s's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
nocto's review
4.0
I liked MJ Hyland's first two books a lot and am surprised how long it's taken me to discover this one. It moves at what would be a slow pace if it wasn't so beautifully written that it feels more like an elegant dance.
The only thing I can fault it for is moving that bit too slowly at first that, having not read the blurb or anything about the book, I put it down shortly before the pivotal moment at the end of part one and didn't get back to it for a week. Once I got to that point it was practically unputdownable despite the fact that it couldn't really be said to speed up.
I love the title, makes no sense until you read the story, then it makes perfect sense.
After three great reads Hyland's next book will be a serious contender for buying in hardback.
The only thing I can fault it for is moving that bit too slowly at first that, having not read the blurb or anything about the book, I put it down shortly before the pivotal moment at the end of part one and didn't get back to it for a week. Once I got to that point it was practically unputdownable despite the fact that it couldn't really be said to speed up.
I love the title, makes no sense until you read the story, then it makes perfect sense.
After three great reads Hyland's next book will be a serious contender for buying in hardback.
holly_mc's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
3.0
dorian_gray's review
2.0
It starts off a bit slow, and Patrick isn't the most likable or interesting man, until he does something awful and has to deal with the consequences.
I'd say this book is worth reading, though a bit dull. It gives a good look into police procedure and court cases in the UK. Patrick's response to his own actions is believable and it was only after he'd lashed out that I started to feel sympathy for him, as he battled his own impulsiveness and confusion.
The ending feels abrupt but after my initial disappointment, I figured it might be the point. The book has to end somewhere, and even though it's a miserable situation, it's still on somewhat of a high point for the main character.
I'd say this book is worth reading, though a bit dull. It gives a good look into police procedure and court cases in the UK. Patrick's response to his own actions is believable and it was only after he'd lashed out that I started to feel sympathy for him, as he battled his own impulsiveness and confusion.
The ending feels abrupt but after my initial disappointment, I figured it might be the point. The book has to end somewhere, and even though it's a miserable situation, it's still on somewhat of a high point for the main character.
dfv's review
4.0
Unsettling, but an easy, compelling read. An awkward young man begins a new adventurous phase of his life by the seaside in Britain, but despite his confidence, it all goes horribly wrong. A terrific book which was probably harder to pull off than it seems - I was on edge reading the dating scenes, and to have the novel turn on a sixpence before the half way mark was brave and shocking (but successful). The final scene was perfectly done too. Must read another of hers - 4 stars.
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