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A review by brownskinbooknerd
Into the Water by Paula Hawkins
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I will preface with this is my first Paula Hawkins book. I can not compare it to girl on the train which I was told is very good. I read a few reviews before going into this read. I have lots of thoughts, but beware there will be some spoilers saved for the very end of this review. Lets separate into what I really enjoyed and what I could have done without.
Let's start with the positives. For a story to make so many twists seamless and flow well was impressive. Whatever turn you think the story will take. You are wrong. The book is like the river, don't trust it. This book follows many different point of views (this could be seen as positive or negative. I am indifferent). The main point of view is Jules Abbott, at least that's who it was for me. It may not be intentional but I sympathized with her the most and I was rooting for her courage through the entire journey she made. Paula Hawkins took her time to build such a strong well rounded character with GROWTH. Lena Abbott is as rebellious and chaotic as teens can get and shows such a profound level of emotional intelligence paired with her teenaged naivety. Josh Whittaker is a loveable small role that caused a butterfly effect. He pulls the story together. I loved that. The whole story carried an eerie feeling. Its just creepy and weird and odd. So if that's not your thing turn away now. It's also not thrilling so it's not creepy enough where you get too anxious. It has just the right amount of suspense to keep you going to the end. It's also full of small town drama. It doesn't end on a cliffhanger which is a huge win for me. HOWEVER, the ending made me angry.
So let's get into the wtf moments. I hated Nickie Sage. I understand her relevance to the story. I just think she could have been written differently or not at all. I don't know what it is. She annoys me. Which I understand is the point of her character. Everyone in the town hates her so they don't listen to her. I just personally could have done without her. Also hated Louise. I understand she was a grieving mother but it was a bit overbearing to the story. I felt we could feel her intensity with much less of her presence. I felt this story could have come with some trigger warnings but I understand not everyone wants that, so I'll let it go. This is also a story I just could not picture most times. There are moments when Hawkins is very descriptive and I can great a great sense of the nightmare Jules is having. Then there are other moments when I just understand Lena and Josh are throwing rocks at a house. Also Patrick...dude is sick and weird. Didn't like him.
All in all. I very much enjoyed this book. Over all it was very well written even if I didn't always like what was written or how. I have already recommended this book to others. It isn't disappointing and it's not intimidating.
*STOP HERE FOR SPOILERS AND TRIGGER WARNINGS*
Trigger Warnings:
Suicide
Mention of rape
Mention of abuse
Spoilers:
Disliked not getting any answers about mark. How do you kidnap a teenager and get away with it. It felt like Sean had no real hold on the story. Yet we're told in the end he's a murderer. Waiting to till the last line of the book to reveal the mystery but in a lackluster kind of way was confusing. I was both angry that was the explanation given and also relieved it wasn't drawn out. If the big climax of the book is Patrick making a confession a final confession didn't have to be made by Sean. I enjoyed it but I didn't. I don't make sense but neither did that ending for me so here we are.
Let's start with the positives. For a story to make so many twists seamless and flow well was impressive. Whatever turn you think the story will take. You are wrong. The book is like the river, don't trust it. This book follows many different point of views (this could be seen as positive or negative. I am indifferent). The main point of view is Jules Abbott, at least that's who it was for me. It may not be intentional but I sympathized with her the most and I was rooting for her courage through the entire journey she made. Paula Hawkins took her time to build such a strong well rounded character with GROWTH. Lena Abbott is as rebellious and chaotic as teens can get and shows such a profound level of emotional intelligence paired with her teenaged naivety. Josh Whittaker is a loveable small role that caused a butterfly effect. He pulls the story together. I loved that. The whole story carried an eerie feeling. Its just creepy and weird and odd. So if that's not your thing turn away now. It's also not thrilling so it's not creepy enough where you get too anxious. It has just the right amount of suspense to keep you going to the end. It's also full of small town drama. It doesn't end on a cliffhanger which is a huge win for me. HOWEVER, the ending made me angry.
So let's get into the wtf moments. I hated Nickie Sage. I understand her relevance to the story. I just think she could have been written differently or not at all. I don't know what it is. She annoys me. Which I understand is the point of her character. Everyone in the town hates her so they don't listen to her. I just personally could have done without her. Also hated Louise. I understand she was a grieving mother but it was a bit overbearing to the story. I felt we could feel her intensity with much less of her presence. I felt this story could have come with some trigger warnings but I understand not everyone wants that, so I'll let it go. This is also a story I just could not picture most times. There are moments when Hawkins is very descriptive and I can great a great sense of the nightmare Jules is having. Then there are other moments when I just understand Lena and Josh are throwing rocks at a house. Also Patrick...dude is sick and weird. Didn't like him.
All in all. I very much enjoyed this book. Over all it was very well written even if I didn't always like what was written or how. I have already recommended this book to others. It isn't disappointing and it's not intimidating.
*STOP HERE FOR SPOILERS AND TRIGGER WARNINGS*
Suicide
Mention of rape
Mention of abuse
Spoilers:
Disliked not getting any answers about mark. How do you kidnap a teenager and get away with it. It felt like Sean had no real hold on the story. Yet we're told in the end he's a murderer. Waiting to till the last line of the book to reveal the mystery but in a lackluster kind of way was confusing. I was both angry that was the explanation given and also relieved it wasn't drawn out. If the big climax of the book is Patrick making a confession a final confession didn't have to be made by Sean. I enjoyed it but I didn't. I don't make sense but neither did that ending for me so here we are.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Minor: Rape