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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
After reading this book, I'm perplexed by the comparison between this author and Gillian Flynn. I honestly don't see any similarities between the two. I think comparing her to Flynn does Knoll a huge injustice and detracts from her individual writing style. I enjoyed the book but I think I would have enjoyed it more had I not gone into it expecting a Flynn style read.
Entertaining enough, although at times it felt a bit like reading A Devil Wears Prada. Not enough character substance to make me really "get" Ani, despite the serious topics that the book dealt with.
Contrary to some of the other reviews, I thought this was a pretty good read. Yes, the heroine could be horribly bitchy and I didn't like her at all at first...but...I admired her spunk and wit.
For example:
"I couldn't decide which was worse--going gentle into that mom-jeans-wearing night, or fighting it, Botoxed and hungry, every step of the way."
"...sleeping pills are just button-shaped vulnerability."
"Eleanor was married a year ago and she continues to discuss the event with the kind of somber reverence you would 9/11, or the death of Steve Jobs."
"An a cappella of hellos."
For example:
"I couldn't decide which was worse--going gentle into that mom-jeans-wearing night, or fighting it, Botoxed and hungry, every step of the way."
"...sleeping pills are just button-shaped vulnerability."
"Eleanor was married a year ago and she continues to discuss the event with the kind of somber reverence you would 9/11, or the death of Steve Jobs."
"An a cappella of hellos."
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Unfortunately this was a DNF for me. I lost interest pretty quickly, I didn't feel any real connections with the characters, and I really couldn't stand the narrator!
I can understand the comparisons to Gone Girl. Jessica Knoll writes with much the same edge and cynicism as Gillian Flynn, unafraid to present a less-than-gracious woman who possesses a dark side under the saccharine artifice. I found myself completely drawn into Ani's story and anxious to know more with each page. I don't think Knoll is as good a writer as Flynn, but this is a satisfying addition to the basic genre and well worth the time, especially if you're looking for the kind of creepy escapism provided by Flynn's other works.
I'm going to try to review this book without any spoilers, which is quite hard.
This book was like a mash up of every popular book in the past few years: Gone Girl, Girl on a Train, 19 Minutes, and The Truth about Alice, but not nearly as good or well written as any of those that I mentioned. People had told me about a BIG! SURPRISE! but for the life of me I can not figure out what it was...perhaps I missed it?
All that being said, I read it in about a day and 1/2, it was quite compelling and a good read, but I don't love it as much as I thought I would when it was being compared to Gone Girl and Girl on a Train. It tried to do too much and ultimately fell flat.
This book was like a mash up of every popular book in the past few years: Gone Girl, Girl on a Train, 19 Minutes, and The Truth about Alice, but not nearly as good or well written as any of those that I mentioned. People had told me about a BIG! SURPRISE! but for the life of me I can not figure out what it was...perhaps I missed it?
All that being said, I read it in about a day and 1/2, it was quite compelling and a good read, but I don't love it as much as I thought I would when it was being compared to Gone Girl and Girl on a Train. It tried to do too much and ultimately fell flat.
Great writing kept me going to the end, but it was tough. I could barely, barely care about "our hero" as she lives her life manipulating people while being simultaneously wounded and hurt. Throw in some rape and you've got yourself a brutal tale of brokenness that never gets better.
Absolutely none of the characters are likable, and the tone kept switching.
challenging
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes