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ashleyx583's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Addiction and Adult/minor relationship
katrinasherise's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Minor: Abortion, Addiction, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Murder, Pregnancy, Stalking, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Adult/minor relationship
fungivibes's review against another edition
2.75
Graphic: Child death, Drug abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
cursedepub's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I would say the great strength of this book is really the prose itself: expressive but not too heavy, and very smooth. Every part of the book (including the novel Crib, and also Jake's somewhat self-important writer's introspection) was a delight to read, just for how well it was delivered.
On the whole this book was definitely fun, and very skillfully written, but not mind-blowing.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Murder, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Car accident, and Drug use
spearly's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is my first audiobook. Ever. I wish I had a ebook so I could look back on it while I write this review, but since I don't, I apologize for any vague references or misrememberings.
First, the audiobook itself. I'll be frank: It was awful. It sounds like it was put together from a library of recorded syllables rather than an actual person reading, and the reader was so slow that I had to listen to it in 1.5x speed just to get through it.
After that, though, I flew through this. The story was compelling, the mystery was enchanting, and the writing was as lyrical as Korelitz has Jake describe Evan's writing in the beginning. I do wish the voices had been a little more distinct, however, from the story of Jake and The Plot, to the story within the story, of Jake's novel, Crib, to even the first few pages we get to read of Evan's version of the novel in the beginning. The style was incredibly similar, and if it hadn't been for the chapter titles where readers are literally TOLD these are pages from Jake's novel within the book, I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference.
The story is as unique as any mystery/thriller I've ever read. The meta-factor definitely helped with the originality, and it was a refreshing take on the genre. Do I think the plot (the actual story that starts all the drama, not this book, The Plot) is the best thing since sliced bread; as remarkable as Jake seems to think when Evan describes it to him in his office, guaranteed bestseller and sure to be picked up by Hollywood? No. Did I see the big bad coming from about 50% in? Yes. Was the ending pretty expositional and slightly eye-roll worthy? Yes. Can I think of better way to have ended the book instead? Well, no. So.
All in all, a quick thriller that, while it didn't really keep me guessing, definitely kept me engaged, if for no other reason than I enjoyed Korelitz writing and Jake's character. I will definitely be checking out some of Jean Hanff Korelitz other books, and am grateful to have received this eARC!
Graphic: Murder, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Vomit, Pregnancy, and Death
Moderate: Addiction and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Sexual content, Suicide, and Rape
juliafaye's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Minor: Abortion, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Pregnancy, and Toxic relationship
leahsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The premise of this story intrigued me, and I’m glad that I got the opportunity to read it. There were some things that I enjoyed, and a few things that I didn’t, but overall, it was a good read that held my attention as I flew through it.
Graphic: Murder
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Suicide, Abortion, Cancer, Drug use, and Addiction