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nkfanning's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
3.75
The blurb describes this as a Stephen King thriller hijacked by Proust, and I honestly can’t think of a better summary. At times it worked for me, at times it didn’t. The “big reveal” at the end didn't feel worth the 300pg build up, but at the same time the long and winding prose was gripping and super atmospheric sooooo who’s to say!
avkesner's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
mgreer56's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
glossy's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
crafalsk264's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
On a small family farm in a hamlet known as Three Lone Girls in Le Bassée France, Patrice struggles to maintain a profitable farm. Living with his wife, Marion, and their ten year old daughter, Ida, he is making it on a day-to-day basis while creating distance from his wife who has a stressful job—making their relationship even more distance. The novel focuses on one day when Patrice and Ida are secretly planning a 40th birthday party for Marion, complete with invitations to an elderly artist neighbor, Christine, and two of Marion’s “girlfriends” to celebrate. He first goes with Christine to report the latest in a series of threatening letters that the Police say can’t be traced so there is nothing to do. Christine dotes on Ida and her loyal dog. As Patrice, Ida and Christine are putting the final touches on decorations for the party, three armed men are making their way onto the property. We meet them as one of the men is butchering the loving pet, moving on to capture and assault Christine, they finally end up holding the five hostages while waiting for Marion to arrive.
This long (500+) suspense thriller sets up a powerful psychological study in which each character provides a unique piece of the puzzle. The feeling of sympathetic sorrow and compassion pervades this story from the first page. It is a slow burn examining secrets, guilt, and love. It brings forth a fascination with the lives and singular doubts, uncertainties and difficulties of each. The use of dramatic irony, multiple POVs, an extravagant twist and an enduring end makes this author’s work a provocative family portrait that invites an attitude of humility and questioning of how much we know about those closest to us. Long listed for the International Booker prize, the book is well worth the effort to engage in this story. Recommend to readers of mystery, thriller, literary fiction, contemporary French literature and a story well told.
elysemr's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
og_cee's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
hartereads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0