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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
dark
medium-paced
Dennis Lehane is such a great storyteller. I’ve seen this movie several times. It’s been years but it blew me away and I’ve wanted to read the book for a long time. Just like with Shutter Island, this is no less impactful having seen the movie first.
Mystic River is a gut punch of a crime story. And Boston crime is what lehane does best. And this is crime with immense heart. complicated, fully realized characters. It’s engrossing, it’s intense and it’s often depressing. And It’s just really good.
Mystic River is a gut punch of a crime story. And Boston crime is what lehane does best. And this is crime with immense heart. complicated, fully realized characters. It’s engrossing, it’s intense and it’s often depressing. And It’s just really good.
Great introduction to Lehane. I'll definitely pick up his other stuff!
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this book because Tana French included it in a list of her 10 favorite mysteries. http://www.theguardian.com/books/2008/sep/26/crime.bestbooks
It does have a lot of the same atmospheric descriptions and intense psychological studies that I love in her novels. I enjoyed reading it for that.
The suspense for me, what kept me going after figuring out the main "who-done-it" about halfway through, was the "why that other thing" and how the relationship of the three boys was going to play out at the end. Neither of those two things rang true for me, and neither did the portrait of the main victim.
Overall though, the main reason I feel uneasy about and somewhat dislike the book is the pervading message that not only do the weak ask for abuse but they should then be ostracized for it lest their weakness poison the group. Maybe it was supposed to be a critique of that attitude but it read like an argument for that attitude.
It does have a lot of the same atmospheric descriptions and intense psychological studies that I love in her novels. I enjoyed reading it for that.
The suspense for me, what kept me going after figuring out the main "who-done-it" about halfway through, was the "why that other thing" and how the relationship of the three boys was going to play out at the end. Neither of those two things rang true for me, and neither did the portrait of the main victim.
Overall though, the main reason I feel uneasy about and somewhat dislike the book is the pervading message that not only do the weak ask for abuse but they should then be ostracized for it lest their weakness poison the group. Maybe it was supposed to be a critique of that attitude but it read like an argument for that attitude.
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
please note there is racist remarks throughout the book. death does happen pretty early on. I am personally rating low due enjoyment factors. the racist remarks didn't really add anything to the story, this is definitely grief driven story. would I recommend this book? the answer is no. also a lot of the violence is off page and alluded to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Grief
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Solid mystery thriller. This was my first time reading a Dennis Lehane novel and he very much delivered on a gritty setting and very haunted characters. I liked the switching of POV from Sean, Dave, Jimmy, and Celeste, but felt like I got the most insight into Jimmy and Dave’s characters, which were really well explored. Jimmy’s passages at the end were super tense and I appreciated the slight unfinished business touch left at the end as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Kidnapping, Murder, Alcohol
Minor: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Vomit
The word that comes to mind to describe this book is tragic. Truly a bleak sadness just permeates this entire novel. A lot of times when reading mystery novels getting to end can be an exciting conclusion, even satisfying. There is no real satisfaction to be found in this novel as it just proves the frustrating reality of crime. Sometimes people commit horrible, senseless crimes for dumb and unfathomable reasons.
With that being said, I can understand why this is such an acclaimed novel. I knew very little about Boston, but the author paints a very vivid portrait of these neighborhoods. The story has you gripped from start to finish, even if reading it fills you with a deep sadness.
With that being said, I can understand why this is such an acclaimed novel. I knew very little about Boston, but the author paints a very vivid portrait of these neighborhoods. The story has you gripped from start to finish, even if reading it fills you with a deep sadness.