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lbird's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Sexual assault
hollyfoz's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
adamstristan's review against another edition
read this for school. didn’t love it but the ending was pretty good actually
thehoodedtonttu's review
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bookishlysophie's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
One of my all time favourite stand alone books. It’s so well written and complex. I love how fiction meets real life context. I’d highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Stalking
angelicathebookworm's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ackroyd transitions between many different narrative forms such as the use of diary entries and courtroom transcripts as well as the use of the first and third person. The movement between the styles has an effortless flow, isn’t jarring for the reader, and does not detract from the unexpected plot twists. Also, Ackroyd’s descriptions of Victorian London showcase the setting as a character in its own right and unlike many presentations of the setting. Many of the other characters are just as well developed, in particular, my favourites include Dan Leno and Elizabeth Cree.
While I found the inclusion of the real-life historical figures and events fascinating to read, at some points I did find it slowed down the pace of the narrative and was also slightly jarring in the context of the murder mystery. Although I enjoyed Ackroyd’s writing style, it’s important to note that it is quite distinct and may not be as loved by everyone.
For more reviews like this one, check out https://angelicacastilloking.wordpress.com/
While I found the inclusion of the real-life historical figures and events fascinating to read, at some points I did find it slowed down the pace of the narrative and was also slightly jarring in the context of the murder mystery. Although I enjoyed Ackroyd’s writing style, it’s important to note that it is quite distinct and may not be as loved by everyone.
For more reviews like this one, check out https://angelicacastilloking.wordpress.com/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Sexual assault, Blood, Body horror, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Body shaming
caidyn's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
CW: murder, sex work, child abuse, child sexual abuse, and general themes of violence
4.5/5
Y'all are going to kill me, but that's okay. I watched the movie first (because I didn't know it was a book) and I enjoyed it more than this. I know, I know! I liked the movie better. But hear me out.
This book is very different. There are multiple medias used within the book. Elizabeth telling her story, transcript from the murder trial, her husband's diary, the inspector's perspective, other person's who might have been this serial killer, etc. All of it without quite telling you what media is being used at the time. It's constantly switching and changing, so you have to stay on your toes with it.
So, I knew the ending of this before going into this since I did watch the movie. That didn't change, really, but I feel that the movie did the story more justice? While this is constantly changing, the movie changes perspectives but it's all from the inspector's perspective. In this, the inspector is barely there whatsoever and is kind of a footnote rather than leading the story as in the movie. I was able to get more attached to the plot in the movie -- which helped me get through this book because I knew where it was going. And I just feel that the movie took this great book and made it even better.
4.5/5
Y'all are going to kill me, but that's okay. I watched the movie first (because I didn't know it was a book) and I enjoyed it more than this. I know, I know! I liked the movie better. But hear me out.
This book is very different. There are multiple medias used within the book. Elizabeth telling her story, transcript from the murder trial, her husband's diary, the inspector's perspective, other person's who might have been this serial killer, etc. All of it without quite telling you what media is being used at the time. It's constantly switching and changing, so you have to stay on your toes with it.
So, I knew the ending of this before going into this since I did watch the movie. That didn't change, really, but I feel that the movie did the story more justice? While this is constantly changing, the movie changes perspectives but it's all from the inspector's perspective. In this, the inspector is barely there whatsoever and is kind of a footnote rather than leading the story as in the movie. I was able to get more attached to the plot in the movie -- which helped me get through this book because I knew where it was going. And I just feel that the movie took this great book and made it even better.
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