A review by brookiet1220
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

dark sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

As a predominantly historical fiction reader, this fictionalized retelling of Ted Bundy’s atrocious crimes had the perfect mix of historical and thrilling elements that kept me turning the pages.  The author’s decision to refer to Bundy’s stand-in as the Defendant was a statement with in itself.  Referring to this character in this way diminishes his importance.

The POVs that are featured in the novel are the FSU sorority president and a young woman from Washington state.  The Washington state victim’s, Ruth, POV had more intriguing pieces than Pamela’s, the FSU sorority president’s, did.  While readers can infer what happened to Ruth, the meeting with the Defendant and figuring out if Tina’s hunch had truth to it were not revealed until the last 10% of the book.  It is not any less sad when Ruth’s suspected final resting place is revealed.  Ruth’s complicated  relationship with her family was more of a focus to her POV than Pamela’s.  An aspect of that relationship is Ruth’s lesbianism.  One scene that exemplifies this was when Rebecca, Ruth’s sister-in-law, confronts Ruth in the bedroom she shares with Tina.  

The writing in this book was phenomenal throughout.  Pamela’s POV is filled with many memorable quotes on various topics.  The quotes on the impact the press has on how victims are depicted and the proper way for victims of crimes to act are notable.
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