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katiiekhaos's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I feel like the blurb calling it a psychological thriller may lead people to think this book is something very different then what it actually is. It’s a lot slower than your typical thriller and written differently as the whole story is told as an internal monologue. I do think this style choice works really well for the story, you feel so close to Olga and can see how her mind is working but that is also what makes you feel uncomfortable and weary of her.
I really struggled getting through the first 1/3 of the book, however the ending definitely makes it worth it and I do think it’s worthwhile persevering. However if the book had of been shorter (a novella maybe), and the tension grew at a faster pace I probably would have enjoyed it more. Those setups and reveals were genius though and at the end I kept going back and thinking about all the things I didn’t pick up in the moment. The audiobook narrator also does a great job depicting the characters declining mental state.
I really struggled getting through the first 1/3 of the book, however the ending definitely makes it worth it and I do think it’s worthwhile persevering. However if the book had of been shorter (a novella maybe), and the tension grew at a faster pace I probably would have enjoyed it more. Those setups and reveals were genius though and at the end I kept going back and thinking about all the things I didn’t pick up in the moment. The audiobook narrator also does a great job depicting the characters declining mental state.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Mental illness, Child death, and Toxic relationship
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A Good Winter is a psychological drama/character study. We spend the entire book in Olga’s head, privy to all her internal monologue. It’s a claustrophobic, uncomfortable place to reside. At first she simply seems judgemental, lacking in self-awareness and bad at reading social clues. As time passes it’s clear she is controlling, manipulative, obsessed and delusional. Tension ramps up when it becomes clear that she is dangerous as well. This was really well done although a tad long. I loved the audio - hearing Olga really amplified her character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship and Mental illness
Moderate: Death
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