A review by assesgrass
The End of Alice by A.M. Homes

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

5.0

 The story is narrated mostly by a middle-aged pedophile and child killer who is serving a life sentence. He receives correspondence from a 19-year-old girl who plans to seduce a 12-year-old neighborhood boy. The child killer encourages her and gives her tips on grooming children. He delights in the girl's letters detailing her progress. 

You might be wondering why I gave this 5 stars, and simply to put it. I enjoyed this, not to the degree that I would ever want this life style or I would ever dream of being in this, but I enjoyed how well the author wrote everything. During many scenes I would have to pause, breathe and remember that this is not a good story. These characters are horrible, and what they do is something that can never ever be forgiven, even if our realistic justice system lets them. 

If you are not used to switching between scenarios without warning this isn't for you, unless you're willing to learn. There's so much where you have to re-read 3 pages back because it entered a passed moment or he indulges us with letters from The Girl. 

There are so many things I wonder at the end and I am fine being left to my thoughts and never knowing the answer. 
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