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hazelgirl21'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
4.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Addiction
Moderate: Drug abuse
Minor: Abortion, Suicide, and Adult/minor relationship
bandysbooks's review
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Murder, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Emotional abuse, and Suicide
Minor: Addiction and Drug abuse
apeck's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Drug abuse, Suicide, Child death, Death, Stalking, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, and Pregnancy
Minor: Abortion
mlthomas234'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
4.0
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Child death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Death, Child abuse, Suicide, Vomit, Violence, Sexual content, Self harm, Pregnancy, Addiction, and Abandonment
Minor: Abortion
campbelltoner'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
4.5
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
jhbandcats'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
4.5
I'm always lousy at figuring out mysteries and am consistently gobsmacked when I get to the end. This had a very satisfying ending. Perhaps others might see it coming but I was sucked into the story and so was appropriately floored at the twists and turns.
A small part of the story takes place in Seattle, and it's always fun to see one's home through another's eyes.
And it's a book about books and writers and how books are written. Finally, there's a charming cat named
Whidbey. What's not to love?
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Murder
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
amcghig'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
4.25
Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Child death, Death of parent, Death, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Pregnancy, Stalking, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
kbergsten's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Addiction, Abortion, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide, and Murder
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