Reviews with content warning for Murder - The Dinner

Certainly the kind of book that makes you think “what the hell is wrong with these people?” about the characters, and maybe about the author too. Very similar energy to We Need to Talk About Kevin.

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varielble's review against another edition

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dark tense fast-paced

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

3.0

It's fine, a good quick read. I like unreliable narrators and shithead characters from time to time.

I cannot get over the fact that the author thinks that you can detect anti-social personality disorder (or whatever) from an amniocentesis screening. Sir, that is a fetus. You can't even do ableism right.

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serendipitysbooks's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Dinner begins with two brothers and their wives meeting for dinner at a high end restaurant one night to discuss their sons. It’s told from the perspective of one of the brothers Paul, a former history teacher. I initially loved his snarky tone - the snide remarks about his political brother, pretentious restaurant food, overbearing waiters etc. But as the meal progressed the sneaky suspicion dawned that Paul was perhaps not the most reliable or likeable of narrators. And then when we finally learnt exactly what it was that they needed to discuss my feelings shifted again. Talk about appalling behaviour - both that of the boys and of the parents, some of whom were prepared to go to unbelievable lengths to protect their son from the consequences of their actions. The way the narrator tried to justify and minimise the boys’ actions was truly jaw-dropping.

This books was filled with horrible characters saying and doing terrible things. Yet I found it to be compelling and engrossing in an “I can’t look away” kind of way. I listened to this one which added to the experience. I think the power of the awfulness - the self-interest and entitlement - was increased by having it spoken directly into my ear.

Entertaining, well-paced and, sadly, all-too plausible.

Content Warnings

readbeales's review

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challenging dark mysterious tense fast-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

3.0

This was a really strange book. I can't say I've ever read anything quite like it, and I don't think I'll seek out anything else like it in future. It was upsetting and unsettling, but it certainly kept me hooked, and I liked the pacing and the writing. I don't even really mind the ending, however disturbing, because it seemed to suit the characters as they'd been developed. I'd recommend this to someone willing to take a chance on something a little scary and a little weird.

Content Warnings