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witpip's review against another edition
3.0
If you like a messed up book. This is the one. Wow. Just wow. I enjoyed this book.
I seen reviews with people saying they hate it because it's not like the lovely bones. Well it's not suppose to be because it's a different book. Don't let that stop you from trying this story.
It's definitely fucked up but it's a relief to NOT read another book with a happy ending.
I seen reviews with people saying they hate it because it's not like the lovely bones. Well it's not suppose to be because it's a different book. Don't let that stop you from trying this story.
It's definitely fucked up but it's a relief to NOT read another book with a happy ending.
mitsyleigh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
cutiejoy's review against another edition
2.0
I understand why this was critically panned. Mediocre structure, typically unlikeable protagonist. I almost quit when she brought her mother down to the basement because I thought it was so unbelievably stupid. I wish it had been better because it had the makings of a very good novel.
- "When all is said and done, killing my mother came easily. Dementia, as it descends, has a way of revealing the core of the person affected by it. My mother’s core was rotten like the brackish water at the bottom of a weeks-old vase of flowers. She had been beautiful when my father met her and still capable of love when I became their late-in-life child, but by the time she
gazed up at me that day, none of this mattered."
nderiley's review against another edition
1.0
Almost worth reading.
But not. I adored Alice Sebold's first two novels, the Lovely Bones which I may have read in one sitting and then Lucky her personal memoire which gives you some insight into how she could possible capture the emotion she did in the lovely bones.
First I thought the premise was a little strange but I was willing to give it a try. I just couldn't get into this book. I didn't realize sympathize with the main character which made reading about her plight all that much more difficult. For me, this book is a pass.
But not. I adored Alice Sebold's first two novels, the Lovely Bones which I may have read in one sitting and then Lucky her personal memoire which gives you some insight into how she could possible capture the emotion she did in the lovely bones.
First I thought the premise was a little strange but I was willing to give it a try. I just couldn't get into this book. I didn't realize sympathize with the main character which made reading about her plight all that much more difficult. For me, this book is a pass.
cat_astrophicallybookish's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rainbowsparkle7x's review against another edition
1.0
I kept trying to force my way through it, couldn't finish it.
booksnbeerlover's review against another edition
5.0
Folks who do not like this book have lovely, loving mothers. I couldn’tvput it down
cheekylaydee's review against another edition
4.0
When all is said and done, killing my mother came easily. Dementia, as it descends, has a way of revealing the core of the person effected by it. My mother's core was rotten like the brackish water at the bottom of a weeks old vase of flowers."
An eye capturing opening to an intriguing book. The whole narrative takes place over a 24 hour period in which our narrator Helen Knightly deals with the emotional repercussions of having killed her mother who has been suffering from dementia.
My first thought was euthanasia but as I got further into the book and the intricacies and complications of Helen's relationship with her mother come to light, you're left to wonder if this was actually the fulfilment of a life long fantasy.
I've read Alice Sebold's other books and I know her to be an author that doesn't shy away from complicated and taboo subject matter. This offering certainly didn't disappoint. I'm just left wondering why it took me so long to get around to reading it!”
An eye capturing opening to an intriguing book. The whole narrative takes place over a 24 hour period in which our narrator Helen Knightly deals with the emotional repercussions of having killed her mother who has been suffering from dementia.
My first thought was euthanasia but as I got further into the book and the intricacies and complications of Helen's relationship with her mother come to light, you're left to wonder if this was actually the fulfilment of a life long fantasy.
I've read Alice Sebold's other books and I know her to be an author that doesn't shy away from complicated and taboo subject matter. This offering certainly didn't disappoint. I'm just left wondering why it took me so long to get around to reading it!”
hectaizani's review against another edition
3.0
This book is kind of creepy and very depressing. I also found the ending disappointing. The family dynamics were interesting, as were the flashbacks into the protagonist's upbringing by her mentally ill parents. I suppose the author intended for the reader to believe that this was the only outcome that could be possible based on the past, but I had a hard time buying into that theory.