Scan barcode
dowryofbooks's review against another edition
1.0
books about cults always sound intriguing until i actually read them and get disappointed
tw: animal cruelty (particularly a dog) in chapter 27
tw: animal cruelty (particularly a dog) in chapter 27
theboldbookworm's review
4.0
This book is written in an interesting style. There are parts told by an unnamed narrator from the neighborhood where Alice, the MC, lived. Then there are the parts told by Alice herself about her life before and after she left town with a captivating man.
This book is obviously based on someone infamous, but I felt it was a good take on that story. I really liked the book and reading how the narrator looked at Alice and their own life with the comparison of how Alice saw things. It definitely has cult vibes, and that was the big draw for me. It's not fast-paced, and I thought it would be the perfect kind of book perfect for a lazy summer day, at least that's the kind of feeling it gave me.
If you like contemporary fiction and cults, I think you might like this one.
This book is obviously based on someone infamous, but I felt it was a good take on that story. I really liked the book and reading how the narrator looked at Alice and their own life with the comparison of how Alice saw things. It definitely has cult vibes, and that was the big draw for me. It's not fast-paced, and I thought it would be the perfect kind of book perfect for a lazy summer day, at least that's the kind of feeling it gave me.
If you like contemporary fiction and cults, I think you might like this one.
beesteele's review
5.0
I found myself so impressed with this debut novel by Alison Wisdom. The style of writing was at once accessible and lyrical. The use of the collective "we" as the book's narrator was, I thought, a clever way of establishing that there is more than one type of cult in this book and that Alice Lange, the main character, has been exposed to both.
The supporting characters were perhaps the most compelling in this novel. The edgy dynamic throughout between Kathryn and Apple was a fantastic source of tension, and the plight of Alice's mother was probably where I found myself throwing most of my compassion.
The plot had a fantastic way of building, always keeping a knot in your stomach knowing that something was going to go wrong but not quite knowing how that would present itself. There is one chapter in particular that is quite graphic and disturbing, and I found myself feeling sick after it in a way that only made me more impressed with the book for being visceral enough to make me feel something and react in a physical way.
I'm excited to see what Wisdom does next. Her nuance, pacing, and ability to create a sense of foreboding make her an exciting writer to watch.
The supporting characters were perhaps the most compelling in this novel. The edgy dynamic throughout between Kathryn and Apple was a fantastic source of tension, and the plight of Alice's mother was probably where I found myself throwing most of my compassion.
The plot had a fantastic way of building, always keeping a knot in your stomach knowing that something was going to go wrong but not quite knowing how that would present itself. There is one chapter in particular that is quite graphic and disturbing, and I found myself feeling sick after it in a way that only made me more impressed with the book for being visceral enough to make me feel something and react in a physical way.
I'm excited to see what Wisdom does next. Her nuance, pacing, and ability to create a sense of foreboding make her an exciting writer to watch.
emreece's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so good! It was giving Helter Skelter Charles Manson vibes.
book_em_wendy's review against another edition
1.0
No, no, and no. Violently killing a dog, someone’s family pet, ruined everything. There is no redemption after that. Just awful.
zellm's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book. The characters were 3-dimensional, Alice was relatable, the plot was explored well. I think this does a great job at showcasing the very start of a cult, the way the leader begins to rope people in and convince them he is more than human. I think the narration took something away, and would have loved to see it from the perspectives of the different girls, or directly from Alice, rather than third person/first person weird omniscient.