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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
I got 1/4 way through this book before I said 'enough'. I'm fine with a little suspense and some unanswered questions, but this book takes slow buildup to a whole new level. I'm ready to fast-forward and see if it was worth the wait. Here goes...
...okay, that was a boring, and worse, predictable ending. I'd put on a spoiler, but there is really nothing to spoil. How disappointing. I'm taking another star off.
...okay, that was a boring, and worse, predictable ending. I'd put on a spoiler, but there is really nothing to spoil. How disappointing. I'm taking another star off.
I liked it. But it's such a hard subject matter to say that I LOVED it. Lehane's a great writer, and the story was well crafted, and the characters were interesting to read. Good book!
This book messed me up just as much as the movie did when I first saw it 8 years ago. For the record, Ben Affleck wrote a pretty faithful film adaptation. And he should have, given the amazing material he worked with - it just impressed me how little he changed. "Gone, Baby, Gone" makes you question your views of right and wrong, your judgement of others, and just about everything else. Sheesh. Dennis Lehane is an excellent author and I'm anxious to read more of his writing (like Shutter Island?! Did not put two and two together! Definitely already on my to-read list!).
This book gave me nightmares.
This book broke my heart.
This book made me want to scream and cry and hug my family.
The law and morality and ethics all exist in these shades of gray, but we all like to pretend that's not the case; that bad guys are just bad. This book challenges that and you probably won't like what you find out, hidden in those shades of gray, but it is a powerful book, and one worth your time.
This book broke my heart.
This book made me want to scream and cry and hug my family.
The law and morality and ethics all exist in these shades of gray, but we all like to pretend that's not the case; that bad guys are just bad. This book challenges that and you probably won't like what you find out, hidden in those shades of gray, but it is a powerful book, and one worth your time.
Gone, Baby, Gone by Dennis Lehane is a 1999 Harper publication.
I must make a few confessions up front:
1: I saw the movie version of this title a long time ago and it was so good, I’ve always wanted to read the book, because, of course, the book is always better.
2: I haven’t read as many books by this author as I thought.
3: This is my first foray into the Kenzie & Gennaro series. In fact, I didn’t even know this book was a part of a series, until now.
I make these confessions with shaking hands since I’m sure my admission is tantamount to religious sacrilege to some folks, but hey, you have to start somewhere.
I was immensely curious how the book would differ from the movie, since Hollywood is notorious for taking liberties and on many occasions they flub the whole thing up. But, surprisingly the book and movie matched up, with only a few small differences.
All the same, the book was better, as I knew it would be, as it paints a far more detailed and emotional rendition, which had me enthralled, and gave me an even greater respect for this author.
When Amanda disappears, her Aunt Beatrice hires the PI team of Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro to find her.
The case winds up consuming the couple to the point of obsession, always at the forefront of their lives, until another child goes missing…
Well, what can you say? This was one incredible story and one that has sparked some rather heated debate in my household, all of us holding strong feelings on how the situation could have been handled.
While there is the obvious black and white answer, there are surely those among you who fall into that gray area, where your mind and logic tells you one thing, while your heart is telling you another.
But, no matter which way you slice it, this is one very twisty rollercoaster ride, spotlighting human flaws, and what one does to cope with the world, and how there are never easy answers to many of life’s questions. Sometimes the wrong thing feels like the right thing, in a twisted way that only makes sense when you are living in that moment. Those choices could backfire, or not, depending on the situation, could lead to regret, or no regrets. But, a tangled web has been woven, and good people become unwitting pawns in a convoluted scheme, and a price must be paid, a very high price, as it turns out.
This story stayed with me a long time and I still run the details over in mind on occasion, still feel sickened by what happened, and still feel conflicted by the decisions made.
When a novel really grabs you, affects your emotions, plays tricks on your mind, and breaks your heart, leaving a lasting impression, well, that’s what great storytelling is all about, and this author sure knows how to weave a tale.
5 stars
I must make a few confessions up front:
1: I saw the movie version of this title a long time ago and it was so good, I’ve always wanted to read the book, because, of course, the book is always better.
2: I haven’t read as many books by this author as I thought.
3: This is my first foray into the Kenzie & Gennaro series. In fact, I didn’t even know this book was a part of a series, until now.
I make these confessions with shaking hands since I’m sure my admission is tantamount to religious sacrilege to some folks, but hey, you have to start somewhere.
I was immensely curious how the book would differ from the movie, since Hollywood is notorious for taking liberties and on many occasions they flub the whole thing up. But, surprisingly the book and movie matched up, with only a few small differences.
All the same, the book was better, as I knew it would be, as it paints a far more detailed and emotional rendition, which had me enthralled, and gave me an even greater respect for this author.
When Amanda disappears, her Aunt Beatrice hires the PI team of Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro to find her.
The case winds up consuming the couple to the point of obsession, always at the forefront of their lives, until another child goes missing…
Well, what can you say? This was one incredible story and one that has sparked some rather heated debate in my household, all of us holding strong feelings on how the situation could have been handled.
While there is the obvious black and white answer, there are surely those among you who fall into that gray area, where your mind and logic tells you one thing, while your heart is telling you another.
But, no matter which way you slice it, this is one very twisty rollercoaster ride, spotlighting human flaws, and what one does to cope with the world, and how there are never easy answers to many of life’s questions. Sometimes the wrong thing feels like the right thing, in a twisted way that only makes sense when you are living in that moment. Those choices could backfire, or not, depending on the situation, could lead to regret, or no regrets. But, a tangled web has been woven, and good people become unwitting pawns in a convoluted scheme, and a price must be paid, a very high price, as it turns out.
This story stayed with me a long time and I still run the details over in mind on occasion, still feel sickened by what happened, and still feel conflicted by the decisions made.
When a novel really grabs you, affects your emotions, plays tricks on your mind, and breaks your heart, leaving a lasting impression, well, that’s what great storytelling is all about, and this author sure knows how to weave a tale.
5 stars
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I didn't love this one quite as much as the other ones in the series, but still enjoyed it.
Great read, but the ending leaves me a bit angry, because the author leaves me with conflicting view points about what is right and wrong......
It was entertaining but the narrator and his partner seemed a little distant. I guess I read too many books lately that concerned child abuse and corrupt cops. A bit disappointed.
Amazing read! Cant wait for the next book in the series.