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A review by jessspeake
I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
2.0
I listened to this book as an audiobook. At first I wondered if the audiobook format was the reason I didn't like it.
However I've listened to other audiobooks I absolutely loved, and some reviewers of this book said they enjoyed the audiobook more than the physical book. I think it just comes down to the fact that I didn't like this book.
This book is a thriller, but it's the slowest thriller I've ever read. And the characters are unlikable. I found myself not rooting for anyone, and just wanting the book to either have something significant happen, or be done.
I want to talk about this book without giving anything away, so I'll talk about it in terms of "before" and "after" I found out the twist.
"before":
I felt a dull sense of dread during the book, because I knew something was going to happen. I didn't know what, at the beginning, but I knew it wouldn't be good. I liked how that feeling permeated the entire book.
However, I also felt frustration because it was so clear to me (and it seemed clear to the main character) that she should leave. There were many obvious signs that she needed to get herself out of this situation.
The characters weren't likable and even more than that, the characterization seemed hollow to me. I understood why it seemed hollow at the end, but it bothered me for the first 90% of the book.
The last 10-20% of the book is where things really start happening. Every time I listened to the book I kept wondering if I was going to DNF it, but something kept me reading, so it does have that going for it.
"after":
I read a lot of people didn't understand the twist. I definitely understood it, I just didn't like it. Furthermore, I don't like books/movies/whatever that suggest "you should read it again to really understand it". To me that comes off as too self-important.
I think you should understand it the first time, and then upon re-reading/re-viewing have your experience enhanced by the skill of the writing (The Sixth Sense is an example of a wonderful execution of this).
It was so unsatisfying to read a book where 90% of the book was not enjoyable to read.
Honestly, the last 10% wasn't enjoyable to me either. I thought, "oh I see what you're doing", but then wondered why it had taken so long to get to it.
I also wondered if it was a realistic portrayal of the topic of the twist. I think the topic of the twist was interesting, and I would be interested in reading a book it alone, but this book isn't that book. (Again, I'm trying to be vague so as not to spoil anything if you do decide you want to read it.)
final thoughts:
Not for me. Maybe for you? I don't know, but I wouldn't recommend it.
I'm aware this book has loads of good reviews, and I'm in the minority here, but I have to be honest. I wish someone had told me to skip this book.
However I've listened to other audiobooks I absolutely loved, and some reviewers of this book said they enjoyed the audiobook more than the physical book. I think it just comes down to the fact that I didn't like this book.
This book is a thriller, but it's the slowest thriller I've ever read. And the characters are unlikable. I found myself not rooting for anyone, and just wanting the book to either have something significant happen, or be done.
I want to talk about this book without giving anything away, so I'll talk about it in terms of "before" and "after" I found out the twist.
"before":
I felt a dull sense of dread during the book, because I knew something was going to happen. I didn't know what, at the beginning, but I knew it wouldn't be good. I liked how that feeling permeated the entire book.
However, I also felt frustration because it was so clear to me (and it seemed clear to the main character) that she should leave. There were many obvious signs that she needed to get herself out of this situation.
The characters weren't likable and even more than that, the characterization seemed hollow to me. I understood why it seemed hollow at the end, but it bothered me for the first 90% of the book.
The last 10-20% of the book is where things really start happening. Every time I listened to the book I kept wondering if I was going to DNF it, but something kept me reading, so it does have that going for it.
"after":
I read a lot of people didn't understand the twist. I definitely understood it, I just didn't like it. Furthermore, I don't like books/movies/whatever that suggest "you should read it again to really understand it". To me that comes off as too self-important.
I think you should understand it the first time, and then upon re-reading/re-viewing have your experience enhanced by the skill of the writing (The Sixth Sense is an example of a wonderful execution of this).
It was so unsatisfying to read a book where 90% of the book was not enjoyable to read.
Honestly, the last 10% wasn't enjoyable to me either. I thought, "oh I see what you're doing", but then wondered why it had taken so long to get to it.
I also wondered if it was a realistic portrayal of the topic of the twist. I think the topic of the twist was interesting, and I would be interested in reading a book it alone, but this book isn't that book. (Again, I'm trying to be vague so as not to spoil anything if you do decide you want to read it.)
final thoughts:
Not for me. Maybe for you? I don't know, but I wouldn't recommend it.
I'm aware this book has loads of good reviews, and I'm in the minority here, but I have to be honest. I wish someone had told me to skip this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Death, and Self harm
Moderate: Sexual content, Stalking, Blood, Animal death, and Animal cruelty