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A review by tesslw
Nothing Can Hurt You by Nicola Maye Goldberg
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
TW; murder, violence by a partner, mention of gore
Nothing can hurt you is a murder without the mystery - but in the best possible way. A novel told in fragments, it shines a spotlight on the stories of multiple individuals who are all linked in some way to Sara, a college student murdered by her boyfriend in New York in the late 1990s. We know where and how Sara died almost from the opening pages of the novel, which relieves us from playing the age old game of ‘whodunnit’, and instead this book focuses on masterfully weaving together an impressive number of narratives from people who are connected to, or impacted by Sara (in varying degrees). Through this we deepen our understanding of her life, as well as her boyfriend, Blake’s and the circumstances surrounding them; their relationship, and Sara’s death at his hands.
I think it’s important to note that I have included the trigger warnings for obvious reasons but this is not just another book about a dead girl - this is smart, structured and oh-so-readable. It is sinister but in a way that simmers, and oozes, doesn’t explode with violence. Each character’s chapter pulls you in and the voices are distinct enough that they don’t get boring or samey. There is also just the right amount of emotional charge to keep you invested and intrigued; almost always slightly uncomfortable but wanting more, without the plot becoming overly dramatic or sensationalist.
I was really impressed at how much was captured in this short book - I read it in a single day whilst on holiday and am very glad I did.
Nothing can hurt you is a murder without the mystery - but in the best possible way. A novel told in fragments, it shines a spotlight on the stories of multiple individuals who are all linked in some way to Sara, a college student murdered by her boyfriend in New York in the late 1990s. We know where and how Sara died almost from the opening pages of the novel, which relieves us from playing the age old game of ‘whodunnit’, and instead this book focuses on masterfully weaving together an impressive number of narratives from people who are connected to, or impacted by Sara (in varying degrees). Through this we deepen our understanding of her life, as well as her boyfriend, Blake’s and the circumstances surrounding them; their relationship, and Sara’s death at his hands.
I think it’s important to note that I have included the trigger warnings for obvious reasons but this is not just another book about a dead girl - this is smart, structured and oh-so-readable. It is sinister but in a way that simmers, and oozes, doesn’t explode with violence. Each character’s chapter pulls you in and the voices are distinct enough that they don’t get boring or samey. There is also just the right amount of emotional charge to keep you invested and intrigued; almost always slightly uncomfortable but wanting more, without the plot becoming overly dramatic or sensationalist.
I was really impressed at how much was captured in this short book - I read it in a single day whilst on holiday and am very glad I did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Minor: Gore
TW; murder, violence by a partner, mention of gore
Nothing Can Hurt You is a murder without the mystery - but in the best possible way. A novel told in fragments, it shines a spotlight on the stories of multiple individuals who are all linked in some way to Sara, a college student murdered by her boyfriend in New York in the late 1990s. We know where and how Sara died almost from the opening pages of the novel, which relieves us from playing the age old game of ‘whodunnit’, and instead this book focuses on masterfully weaving together an impressive number of narratives from people who are connected to, or impacted by Sara (in varying degrees). Through this we deepen our understanding of her life, as well as her boyfriend, Blake’s and the circumstances surrounding them; their relationship, and Sara’s death at his hands.
I think it’s important to note that I have included the trigger warnings for obvious reasons but this is not just another book about a dead girl - this is smart, structured and oh-so-readable. It is sinister but in a way that simmers, and oozes, doesn’t explode with violence. Each character’s chapter pulls you in and the voices are distinct enough that they don’t get boring or samey. There is also just the right amount of emotional charge to keep you invested and intrigued; almost always slightly uncomfortable but wanting more, without the plot becoming overly dramatic or sensationalist.
I was really impressed at how much was captured in this short book - I read it in a single day whilst on holiday and am very glad I did.