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lisawreading's review
DNF at 42%. There's nothing exactly wrong, but the story and characters just didn't grab me at all, and I realized that I didn't care enough to keep going.
mellabella's review
2.0
I don't know. I think that this book had the potential to be a better read for me. The premise, etc. Are good...
Lois and Carly Mae are abducted when they are 12. Lois's parents are distant. Carly's dad is fine. If not a little cowed by her step mom. Or maybe he just can't deal with raising a girl since her mom died. Whatever the case, her stepmom Gail runs the show.
Enter Zed. He is described as young and handsome. He abducts Carly first by telling her he'll give her a ride. Then Lois by asking for directions and, telling her to get into the car out of the rain.
I'm not going to question why the girls got into the car. They're 12. Or, the Stockholm Syndrome that follows. They are with Zed for 2 months. They are under heavy surveillance. He doesn't do anything to them physically. He watches and gets angry from time to time (especially when Carly asks him questions about himself). But no abuse, molestation, or anything like that. Just good old manipulation and taking their freedom.
As adults Carly is an actress and Lois is a professor. They are both kind of living their lives the way Zed would have wanted them to.
I think I got a little irritated with the whole Sean story line.
Sean is a student of Lois's that come across her childhood trauma and becomes creepy. Pestering her to give him information for a book he is going to write? Except Lois already wrote a fictionalized account of her past experience. It's being made into a movie that Carly (now named Chloe) is going to star in.
Except the way Lois handles Sean is not the way most would.
Also, most people-upon realizing a creepy student/stalker that had threatened them with a knife had remotely accessed their computer (and their calendar and personal info) would have done way more.
I liked Carly/Chloe's parts more. Those, and the flashbacks to when they were kidnapped. Neither character was very likable. They don't HAVE to be. But whatever.
Lois and Carly Mae are abducted when they are 12. Lois's parents are distant. Carly's dad is fine. If not a little cowed by her step mom. Or maybe he just can't deal with raising a girl since her mom died. Whatever the case, her stepmom Gail runs the show.
Enter Zed. He is described as young and handsome. He abducts Carly first by telling her he'll give her a ride. Then Lois by asking for directions and, telling her to get into the car out of the rain.
I'm not going to question why the girls got into the car. They're 12. Or, the Stockholm Syndrome that follows. They are with Zed for 2 months. They are under heavy surveillance. He doesn't do anything to them physically. He watches and gets angry from time to time (especially when Carly asks him questions about himself). But no abuse, molestation, or anything like that. Just good old manipulation and taking their freedom.
As adults Carly is an actress and Lois is a professor. They are both kind of living their lives the way Zed would have wanted them to.
I think I got a little irritated with the whole Sean story line.
Sean is a student of Lois's that come across her childhood trauma and becomes creepy. Pestering her to give him information for a book he is going to write? Except Lois already wrote a fictionalized account of her past experience. It's being made into a movie that Carly (now named Chloe) is going to star in.
Except the way Lois handles Sean is not the way most would.
Also, most people-upon realizing a creepy student/stalker that had threatened them with a knife had remotely accessed their computer (and their calendar and personal info) would have done way more.
I liked Carly/Chloe's parts more. Those, and the flashbacks to when they were kidnapped. Neither character was very likable. They don't HAVE to be. But whatever.
nattyg's review
1.0
I read this in its entirety - it was (to me) a book about two girls who don't know why they were abducted. They get rescued two months later. They spend the rest of their lives trying to find meaning. There is no meaning.
That's it. Save yourself the 300 odd pages. There was no meaning to their lives. Nor their abduction. Nor their adult lives because they didn't DO anything of meaning with them. They are no better or worse than hundreds of thousands of people who were NOT abducted. The other plot points were distracting and, to repeat a phrase, meaningless. A bunch of random things, throw in a blender and that is this book.
That's it. Save yourself the 300 odd pages. There was no meaning to their lives. Nor their abduction. Nor their adult lives because they didn't DO anything of meaning with them. They are no better or worse than hundreds of thousands of people who were NOT abducted. The other plot points were distracting and, to repeat a phrase, meaningless. A bunch of random things, throw in a blender and that is this book.
chillawesome's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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
3.75
sophiedavenport's review
3.0
History repeating itself is the only way two formerly abducted women can come to terms with their feelings for their heavily illusive kidnapper.
Never read a story of abduction that isn't violent or laced with hate. A totally new perspective of the genre and an insight into a child's need to feel loved. Possibly also of Stockholm syndrome.
It concluded way too suddenly and was kind of anti climatic, which is why it gets the low score from me. There is also a lot of the story still to be told. I'd like to learn more about Sean, his character added to the undertones of madness in characters but seemed like an easy plot device, eg he's made because he just is. could have added a little back story, seemed a bit lazy to add him as a plot device almost casually.
still, an interesting story. **
Never read a story of abduction that isn't violent or laced with hate. A totally new perspective of the genre and an insight into a child's need to feel loved. Possibly also of Stockholm syndrome.
It concluded way too suddenly and was kind of anti climatic, which is why it gets the low score from me. There is also a lot of the story still to be told. I'd like to learn more about Sean, his character added to the undertones of madness in characters but seemed like an easy plot device, eg he's made because he just is. could have added a little back story, seemed a bit lazy to add him as a plot device almost casually.
still, an interesting story. **
amberhayward's review
4.0
This was very different than anything I've read in awhile. Not on the surface, I suppose, but the fact that a lot is left unspoken or unrevealed for a fictional book. I'm pretty sure that I really liked it. I usually can't tell for a few days, though, how much I've liked a book. This is a book that I'll be thinking about for a few days, I think.
fallingletters's review
5.0
Review originally published 23 June 2015 on Falling Letters. I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley.
I can't remember how this book came on my radar, but it was some months ago. Every now and then I check NetGalley to see if books on my 'upcoming publication' shelf are available. I was very excited when this one finally showed up!
I like many aspects of this novel. I like the prose and the style of narrative. Mitchell writes with a strong voice and her prose injects the story with tension. The first page hooked me. The alternating perspectives of Lois and Carly May balance each other well. I like how it's a story about stories within stories and about blurring the line between fiction, non-fiction and our own personal lives. I also enjoyed the plot. After Lois is reunited with her parents:
The second point is that the conclusion is abrupt and/or unsatisfying. I dislike such conclusions, but I found Pretty Is's conclusion to be neither of those things. I had all the answers I wanted, and I was satisfied with where the characters ended up.There is a spike in the 'thrills', but I was totally absorbed and carried along all the ups and downs it brought.
In genre above, I labelled this book 'literary fiction + dash of thriller'. Another person might label it 'chick lit thriller' or 'contemporary'. What genre is this book?! Who decides genres, anyhow? Are they useful to anyone beyond the person doing the labelling? I've learned over the past years the stories I love the most can be found in the general fiction of a bookstore or library, even though they often have strong touches of fantasy or terror. For me, Pretty Is feels 'literary' with a hint of thriller - just a hint; I wouldn't call it 'a thriller', it's just the nature of part of the plot. Then again, maybe it's because I was so focused on the 'literary fiction' parts of the book that I can't accept it's more of a thriller, like how I can't imagine Paper Towns as a 'mystery'. I'm sure there are people who would laugh at me calling this book 'literary'. Maybe it's just contemporary fiction? What's the difference between the two, anyhow? (Says the English major...) I do use the two labels separately here on my blog, but they really just follow my own impression of the book... I don't know what the actual definitions or differences between the two terms are. Conclusion: Labels can be as tricky as ratings when describing books!
The Bottom Line: If the plot intrigues you at all, give it a go. Much better than the few other after kidnapping stories I've read, this would be a great read to curl up with during an evening at the cottage.
I can't remember how this book came on my radar, but it was some months ago. Every now and then I check NetGalley to see if books on my 'upcoming publication' shelf are available. I was very excited when this one finally showed up!
I like many aspects of this novel. I like the prose and the style of narrative. Mitchell writes with a strong voice and her prose injects the story with tension. The first page hooked me. The alternating perspectives of Lois and Carly May balance each other well. I like how it's a story about stories within stories and about blurring the line between fiction, non-fiction and our own personal lives. I also enjoyed the plot. After Lois is reunited with her parents:
They could not sit on the couch because Carly was sprawled out beside me; instead, awkwardly, they reached their thin, tanned arms out to me, inviting me to stand and be embraced. Which I did, automatically; but I found no comfort. Their arms felt insubstantial, their eyes held too many questions I knew they'd never be able to ask, their fear was wordless and stiff. (18%)The plot developed in a direction I wasn't at all anticipating. When I read the blurb - "...a movie with a shockingly familiar plot draws the two women together once more" - I assumed that the story of their kidnapping was widely known, that someone decided to profit off their story without their involvement, and they reconnect through some sort of entanglement with that. I found the actual plot more intriguing and creative than that. I liked that the book description didn't give it away. I don't like descriptions that describe a major plot point that doesn't happen until 100+ pages in the novel. Pretty Is's major premise is established 6% in, but I still appreciated that it came as a surprise. The plot is built on some pretty outrageous coincidences that you know would never happen in real life, but well-written fiction like this allows makes it believable. I'd say this novel is plot driven, but the characters are central to the plot's success - does the plot make the characters or do the characters make the plot?
Spoiler
I noticed two points made by other reviewers that I disagree with. One is that Lois' behaviour seems unnatural or out of character. Lois' sanity is called into question by at least herself, Carly May and Sean. (Quote from Carly May: "Only one of us can be batshit crazy, I tell myself. I have a sneaking sort of feeling that Lois - rational, orderly Lois - might have claimed that role" [83%]). I didn't question it while reading - in fact, I wondered why everyone was thinking she was crazy. I'm terrible with unreliable narrators because I take everything they say at face value. When Lois was speaking, I though, 'Yeah, you're right', but in retrospect, how she deals with her creepy stalker is definitely not right. I don't think this is poor writing - having Lois, an otherwise solid woman, acting 'out of character' with her stalker. I think it shows that she is a little bit off and shows how the kidnapping affected her.In genre above, I labelled this book 'literary fiction + dash of thriller'. Another person might label it 'chick lit thriller' or 'contemporary'. What genre is this book?! Who decides genres, anyhow? Are they useful to anyone beyond the person doing the labelling? I've learned over the past years the stories I love the most can be found in the general fiction of a bookstore or library, even though they often have strong touches of fantasy or terror. For me, Pretty Is feels 'literary' with a hint of thriller - just a hint; I wouldn't call it 'a thriller', it's just the nature of part of the plot. Then again, maybe it's because I was so focused on the 'literary fiction' parts of the book that I can't accept it's more of a thriller, like how I can't imagine Paper Towns as a 'mystery'. I'm sure there are people who would laugh at me calling this book 'literary'. Maybe it's just contemporary fiction? What's the difference between the two, anyhow? (Says the English major...) I do use the two labels separately here on my blog, but they really just follow my own impression of the book... I don't know what the actual definitions or differences between the two terms are. Conclusion: Labels can be as tricky as ratings when describing books!
The Bottom Line: If the plot intrigues you at all, give it a go. Much better than the few other after kidnapping stories I've read, this would be a great read to curl up with during an evening at the cottage.
greenvillemelissa's review
4.0
Book # 142 Read in 2015
Pretty Is by Maggie Mitchell
This was a good read. I enjoyed the upstate NY/Adirondack setting since that is local to me. Two girls, Lois and Carly May, are abducted by a man who brings them to upstate NY to an isolated cabin. He seems to be trying to "save them" from "female corruption". Eventually, the police find the cabin and rescue the girls. The book then spends the bulk of time years later, when the girls are grown ups. Lois is a college professor and Carly May has reinvented herself as Chloe, an actress. Lois, under a pen name, has written a novel loosely based on the abduction and that book is being made into a movie. Chloe has a part in the movie and the two will be reunited for the first time in years. Lois also has issues with one of her students, who is stalking her and questioning her about the abduction. Is he the abductor's son? Overall, this book was well written and interesting. It had a lot of twists and turns to it. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Pretty Is by Maggie Mitchell
This was a good read. I enjoyed the upstate NY/Adirondack setting since that is local to me. Two girls, Lois and Carly May, are abducted by a man who brings them to upstate NY to an isolated cabin. He seems to be trying to "save them" from "female corruption". Eventually, the police find the cabin and rescue the girls. The book then spends the bulk of time years later, when the girls are grown ups. Lois is a college professor and Carly May has reinvented herself as Chloe, an actress. Lois, under a pen name, has written a novel loosely based on the abduction and that book is being made into a movie. Chloe has a part in the movie and the two will be reunited for the first time in years. Lois also has issues with one of her students, who is stalking her and questioning her about the abduction. Is he the abductor's son? Overall, this book was well written and interesting. It had a lot of twists and turns to it. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.