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A review by andreealaura
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'm not giving this book a 5 star review because I think it's a masterpiece (after all I'm not a literary critic), but because I devoured it in 3 days.
I loved how the flaws of the characters in this book are a main focus, but related in a nonchalant way, as if even the most horrible acts in this world are just things that happen. Even the most gut wrenching scenes are told in a very casual tone and I think this only brings you closer to Elle, to the way she feels and approaches life; your disgust and repulsion to the things related are the equivalent to the characters' unhealed trauma, their shame, their anger, their sadness. Loved the rawness of it all.
I loved the vivid descriptions, even the faintest sensations transporting me to the Back Woods. I loved the way nature was such an integral part of the main character, reminded me of Where the Crawdads Sing.
The plot, the choices needed to be made kept me so hooked. I was as conflicted as Elle, not knowing what to do, seeing every possibility, knowing how wrong, how right they were. The flashbacks felt a bit out of place at first, when all I wanted was to hear about present day events, but in hindsight, as a reader you really need them. Through the flashbacks you get to know the characters, their worries, their relationships, why the people around them are so important (or not), their sense of humor, their personalities, just like you get to know a friend.
Really a refreshing book, like a swim in cold water on a hot summer day. Worth a read, even if it's just to form your own opinion on it. I would love a debate around how good or bad this book is, because, as the story emphases, there is no right answer. Or wrong one.
I loved how the flaws of the characters in this book are a main focus, but related in a nonchalant way, as if even the most horrible acts in this world are just things that happen. Even the most gut wrenching scenes are told in a very casual tone and I think this only brings you closer to Elle, to the way she feels and approaches life; your disgust and repulsion to the things related are the equivalent to the characters' unhealed trauma, their shame, their anger, their sadness. Loved the rawness of it all.
I loved the vivid descriptions, even the faintest sensations transporting me to the Back Woods. I loved the way nature was such an integral part of the main character, reminded me of Where the Crawdads Sing.
The plot, the choices needed to be made kept me so hooked. I was as conflicted as Elle, not knowing what to do, seeing every possibility, knowing how wrong, how right they were. The flashbacks felt a bit out of place at first, when all I wanted was to hear about present day events, but in hindsight, as a reader you really need them. Through the flashbacks you get to know the characters, their worries, their relationships, why the people around them are so important (or not), their sense of humor, their personalities, just like you get to know a friend.
Really a refreshing book, like a swim in cold water on a hot summer day. Worth a read, even if it's just to form your own opinion on it. I would love a debate around how good or bad this book is, because, as the story emphases, there is no right answer. Or wrong one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Incest, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment