Reviews

The Party by Elizabeth Day

cathye03's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• 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

3.75

kiri_johnston's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

misstazzytea's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

lauriestein's review against another edition

3.0

I enjoyed the interrogation of class but could've done without the generous side helping of sociopath.

jacki_f's review against another edition

5.0

In the tradition of Brideshead Revisited, this is a creepily uncomfortable page turner that I absolutely loved. It's the story of a boy from a middle class home who befriends a charismatic aristocrat at boarding school. Martin is very bright but socially awkward and when he meets charming, privileged Ben, he is smitten. They attend Cambridge together and their friendship continues over the years. Martin is a journalist while Ben goes into the financial sector and becomes (according to Tatler) "the most connected man in Britain", with a beautiful wife, amazing houses and the PM as a bestie. The friendship persists, although it's clearly become far more important to Martin than it is to Ben.

The book begins with Martin being questioned by the police about an incident that happened at Ben's 40th party a couple of weeks earlier. It then moves back and forth in time as we gradually learn the story of their friendship over the years and eventually learn what the incident was that has prompted the police investigation. I was riveted throughout. This was one of those books that I deliberately read slowly because I didn't want it to end. Having said that, I love books about outsiders who are not necessarily likeable. This has elements of so many writers: Claire Messud, Donna Tartt, Herman Koch. It's terrific.

the_dubious_muse's review against another edition

5.0

Well written, compulsively readable novel resembling a Donna Tartt-esque character study told in a non linear timeline with different perspectives. Excellent pacing and fascinating voyeuristic quality of writing showcase Elizabeth Day's considerable talent in this story of obsession and hidden motivations of mostly unlikeable characters. Novels like this always remind me that characters in books aren't always meant to be likeable but should be thought provoking. This certainly fit the bill and I will be checking out Day's other novels.

essjay1's review

4.0

A definite page turner. Could have been a bit darker ... disappointing ending.

amonkhouse's review against another edition

OK so this was fun but:
- everyone was terrible (kind of enjoyable!)
- this "poor" character was written so terribly that I was like "I bet if I looked it up I'd find Elizabeth Day went to private school" and WHAT DO YOU KNOW!

robinellacott's review against another edition

dark sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

lilcoop71's review against another edition

4.0

I was surprised by how drawn into this I was. Good tension, good characters (Lucy was my favorite), though I was a little let down by the 'big moment' in the main characters' friendship and the ending--still enjoyed it very much.