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A review by kamrynkoble
Defending Jacob by William Landay
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
2024 reread:
My husband and I listened to the audiobook . . . WOW. If I never have to hear “Loguidice” in a transatlantic accent again, it’ll be too soon. I didn’t realize how much mental skimming of the court cases you can do, until I had to listen to every. Single. Word.
We also think this should be called Defending Fatphobia. I swear I don’t remember the ebook being like this, to the point that I wonder if the publisher updated the ebook but not the audio. I couldn’t even begin to count the fatphobic comments. It has to be over 50, MINIMUM. Everyone’s fat, men’s “tits” strain against polos, teenagers have skirts of fat around their middle, and are delightfully confident even if they’re “pudgy.” I’m not kidding, this man notices every single person’s weight, and everyone in this town must not be as much of a skinny legend as Andy Barber. I’d be shocked if there were any chapters he DIDN’T mention someone’s weight. My husband and I would laugh every time it was so bad.
All that to say 🤪 I genuinely didn’t remember the ending, so I was in for the ride all over again. I think we would’ve been way happier reading this instead of listening. You know, also, a little less commentary on preteen/teen girls’ stomachs.
2021:
Wow, wow, wow. I’ve been meaning to read this book for years, and it was quite the trip. If you like legal/courtroom/crime novels, this book will be perfect for you. It’s definitely a page turner. The voice is so unique as well, and I loved the descriptions. Normally I skim, but I found myself devouring it.
It’s not a perfect book, I would’ve cut some here and fleshed out more there. But my heart was racing as I read in bed, constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. This was a great opener to 2021!
My husband and I listened to the audiobook . . . WOW. If I never have to hear “Loguidice” in a transatlantic accent again, it’ll be too soon. I didn’t realize how much mental skimming of the court cases you can do, until I had to listen to every. Single. Word.
We also think this should be called Defending Fatphobia. I swear I don’t remember the ebook being like this, to the point that I wonder if the publisher updated the ebook but not the audio. I couldn’t even begin to count the fatphobic comments. It has to be over 50, MINIMUM. Everyone’s fat, men’s “tits” strain against polos, teenagers have skirts of fat around their middle, and are delightfully confident even if they’re “pudgy.” I’m not kidding, this man notices every single person’s weight, and everyone in this town must not be as much of a skinny legend as Andy Barber. I’d be shocked if there were any chapters he DIDN’T mention someone’s weight. My husband and I would laugh every time it was so bad.
All that to say 🤪 I genuinely didn’t remember the ending, so I was in for the ride all over again. I think we would’ve been way happier reading this instead of listening. You know, also, a little less commentary on preteen/teen girls’ stomachs.
2021:
Wow, wow, wow. I’ve been meaning to read this book for years, and it was quite the trip. If you like legal/courtroom/crime novels, this book will be perfect for you. It’s definitely a page turner. The voice is so unique as well, and I loved the descriptions. Normally I skim, but I found myself devouring it.
It’s not a perfect book, I would’ve cut some here and fleshed out more there. But my heart was racing as I read in bed, constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. This was a great opener to 2021!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Child death, Fatphobia, and Death
Moderate: Car accident, Blood, Homophobia, and Pedophilia