You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
saarahnina 's review for:
All These Beautiful Strangers
by Elizabeth Klehfoth
More than a mystery
This book is not average. It's different. It doesn't try to win you by having likeable characters or, by making you think about more than what is on the page. Nor, by being an original voice. And, that's okay. The story is enough, more than enough and there's nothing to distract you from it.
At first, it's told with clarity. Charlie is a Calloway. Her family name is a brand, she's innocently privileged by association. And, with great certainty and pride, she wouldn't have it any other other way. The Calloways are of the elites, but getting to the top comes with a price and no family is without its secrets... Charlie's mother left the world of privilege behind, she left Charlie. Charlie, who claims she's over it, has always thought about her mother's reasons. But more so, when she sees some compromising photographs from her family's past. She refuses to settle for anything but the truth. That is her way. But soon, Charlie has more questions than answers: whose truth is she telling?
The story is an engaging one. It reminded me of a book I read some time ago, Tradition by Brendan Kiely. Like Tradition, the story is set in a prestigious college, seeped in fictional history. Both writers describe a subculture of patriarchy, traditions, privilege. Elizabeth Klehfoth's characters were unapologetically self absorbed and arrogant (but, conscious of it). I didn't like that they were so stubbornly unrepentant but, anything otherwise would not been as plausible. Though, naturally, there was more to the story than their unlikeability.
My only gripe was that even by the end, (and what a surprising ending that was) Charlie never realises the true nature of her parents' relationship. Her father never fully confesses so if, ever, she forgives him, it wouldn't be completely meaningful. She believes she knows the full truth. Maybe some secrets are better kept unshared, but it felt unlikely that the ever-persistent Charlie would overlook this.
I know I said the writing wasn't exactly original, I did nonetheless find the style remarkable. Elizabeth Klehfoth writes mystery incredibly. She drip-feeds you the facts, excruciatingly slowly as if she were waiting to gauge your reaction. She distracts you with other smaller narratives, but ultimately builds this tense atmosphere and a world that you come to know well. The plot, very much, thickens. The characters surprise you, in their true to life unpredictable ways. Will they or won't they? You'll have to read it, there's no room for guessing.
I was also reminded of Gossip Girl. I can't say much on the similarities as I only ever watched the first few episodes before giving up on it. But with confidence, I can say that the college society where competition is encouraged, cliques are founded, identities are forged, was integral to this storyline too. The special and exclusive group of 'As' , students banding together to make their own rules and ensure their own brand of justice was enacted and imposed, was described well. The members had all the characteristics of an in-group mentality. It was interesting to see it play out.
I received this book through Netgalley.
This book is not average. It's different. It doesn't try to win you by having likeable characters or, by making you think about more than what is on the page. Nor, by being an original voice. And, that's okay. The story is enough, more than enough and there's nothing to distract you from it.
At first, it's told with clarity. Charlie is a Calloway. Her family name is a brand, she's innocently privileged by association. And, with great certainty and pride, she wouldn't have it any other other way. The Calloways are of the elites, but getting to the top comes with a price and no family is without its secrets... Charlie's mother left the world of privilege behind, she left Charlie. Charlie, who claims she's over it, has always thought about her mother's reasons. But more so, when she sees some compromising photographs from her family's past. She refuses to settle for anything but the truth. That is her way. But soon, Charlie has more questions than answers: whose truth is she telling?
The story is an engaging one. It reminded me of a book I read some time ago, Tradition by Brendan Kiely. Like Tradition, the story is set in a prestigious college, seeped in fictional history. Both writers describe a subculture of patriarchy, traditions, privilege. Elizabeth Klehfoth's characters were unapologetically self absorbed and arrogant (but, conscious of it). I didn't like that they were so stubbornly unrepentant but, anything otherwise would not been as plausible. Though, naturally, there was more to the story than their unlikeability.
My only gripe was that even by the end, (and what a surprising ending that was) Charlie never realises the true nature of her parents' relationship. Her father never fully confesses so if, ever, she forgives him, it wouldn't be completely meaningful. She believes she knows the full truth. Maybe some secrets are better kept unshared, but it felt unlikely that the ever-persistent Charlie would overlook this.
I know I said the writing wasn't exactly original, I did nonetheless find the style remarkable. Elizabeth Klehfoth writes mystery incredibly. She drip-feeds you the facts, excruciatingly slowly as if she were waiting to gauge your reaction. She distracts you with other smaller narratives, but ultimately builds this tense atmosphere and a world that you come to know well. The plot, very much, thickens. The characters surprise you, in their true to life unpredictable ways. Will they or won't they? You'll have to read it, there's no room for guessing.
I was also reminded of Gossip Girl. I can't say much on the similarities as I only ever watched the first few episodes before giving up on it. But with confidence, I can say that the college society where competition is encouraged, cliques are founded, identities are forged, was integral to this storyline too. The special and exclusive group of 'As' , students banding together to make their own rules and ensure their own brand of justice was enacted and imposed, was described well. The members had all the characteristics of an in-group mentality. It was interesting to see it play out.
I received this book through Netgalley.