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kaylinwriter14 's review for:
The Half Life of Molly Pierce
by Katrina Leno
4.5 Stars
Overall
Oh, this was lovely.
Warning, there is no way to talk about this book without being slightly spoiler-y. Even the synopsis here on goodreads gives some things away. That’s just how this book is. That being said, if you are a fan of psychological thrillers and/or introspective works, I recommend this. If that interests you, don’t read the rest of this review.
Pros
I will admit I was on the fence about the writing for the first 2-3 chapters, but after that I was sold. The author relies on a short sentence structure and repetition, and I can understand why some people might not like it. I however, really loved it. It reads almost like poetry in the way it flows, but the context was very visceral and straight-forward.
Not to say the descriptions weren’t there. They were and several were pretty spectacular. One in particular stands out as just being great sensory input that really set the scene, and that would be when Molly is reading and describes the fact that she can taste the salt in the air. Having been to the sea myself quite a few times, this sentence instantly took me there.
I loved the characters. Lyle especially was a really flawed and well-rounded character, and I found myself growing very attached to him. Again, he was certainly a flawed character and his treatment of Molly was certainly not okay, but I don’t think it was supposed to be. I quite liked the comparisons between him and his brother, Sayer. I also love Molly’s family, especially Hazel.
I loved the realization that Molly had been going to commit suicide that day excellent, and Mable’s letter to Molly showcasing her POV of this was probably my favorite portion of the book.
I quite liked the descriptions of Molly’s depression. It was handled very well and I found it to be very personal and realistic.
The pacing in this book was phenomenal. The first chapter starts with a fairly literal bang, and it doesn’t really let up from there. The plot moves forward quickly as things are revealed about the characters, but it never seems overwhelming. I was worried about half-way through it would fizzle out and slow down drastically, and while it did slow, it didn’t feel forced or particularly boring.
Cons
Erie and Luka. They weren’t present a lot, but they just seemed very under-developed to me. Though perhaps they didn’t really need to be.
Sometimes the names seemed a little ridiculous—Erie Moon? Sayer?
The main reason I can’t in good conscience simply give this 5 stars is because
This was sort of shoddy science in a rather well researched book, and unfortunately I couldn’t just ignore it.
In Conclusion
One or two problems present, but pretty excellent throughout. A great debut novel from [a:Katrina Leno|6549397|Katrina Leno|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1391117827p2/6549397.jpg] and I will certainly be watching her for her future works.
Overall
Oh, this was lovely.
Warning, there is no way to talk about this book without being slightly spoiler-y. Even the synopsis here on goodreads gives some things away. That’s just how this book is. That being said, if you are a fan of psychological thrillers and/or introspective works, I recommend this. If that interests you, don’t read the rest of this review.
Spoiler
Admittedly, I might be a bit biased. I have been fascinated by Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) for 5+ years now, and have done rather extensive research on it in the past.Pros
I will admit I was on the fence about the writing for the first 2-3 chapters, but after that I was sold. The author relies on a short sentence structure and repetition, and I can understand why some people might not like it. I however, really loved it. It reads almost like poetry in the way it flows, but the context was very visceral and straight-forward.
Not to say the descriptions weren’t there. They were and several were pretty spectacular. One in particular stands out as just being great sensory input that really set the scene, and that would be when Molly is reading and describes the fact that she can taste the salt in the air. Having been to the sea myself quite a few times, this sentence instantly took me there.
I loved the characters. Lyle especially was a really flawed and well-rounded character, and I found myself growing very attached to him. Again, he was certainly a flawed character and his treatment of Molly
Spoiler
MableSpoiler
Okay. I just loved Mable. In DID some research indicates that different alters take on different aspects of the hosts personality, and I think that’s the approach this book took. It seemed like Mable was the (for lack of a better term) the living portion of Molly. The portion that wanted to do things, had ideas and a general will to live. This comparison to Molly, who has always felt dissociated and distant--and doesn’t really want to kill herself, but doesn’t want to live, was pretty great.I loved the realization that Molly had been going to commit suicide that day excellent, and Mable’s letter to Molly showcasing her POV of this was probably my favorite portion of the book.
I quite liked the descriptions of Molly’s depression. It was handled very well and I found it to be very personal and realistic.
The pacing in this book was phenomenal. The first chapter starts with a fairly literal bang, and it doesn’t really let up from there. The plot moves forward quickly as things are revealed about the characters, but it never seems overwhelming. I was worried about half-way through it would fizzle out and slow down drastically, and while it did slow, it didn’t feel forced or particularly boring.
Spoiler
I loved, loved, loved that Molly didn’t end up with Sayer in the end. There was much more focus on her becoming a whole and happy person than a romance. Even though it was a pretty great romance! I loved the characters and I loved the chemistry in their scenes together, but I’m so happy they didn’t work out. I also think Mabel and Molly were pretty fundamentally different, and perhaps it’s not far-stretched to argue that the girl Sayer loved no longer existed. Couldn’t help but feel sorry for him and all he lost, but I wouldn’t have wanted it to end any other way.Cons
Erie and Luka. They weren’t present a lot, but they just seemed very under-developed to me. Though perhaps they didn’t really need to be.
Sometimes the names seemed a little ridiculous—Erie Moon? Sayer?
The main reason I can’t in good conscience simply give this 5 stars is because
Spoiler
there was “nothing that causes” Molly’s DID. The book seemed to imply she was simply born that way… which is just… not true. Most research indicates that DID only exist in cases of rather extreme abuse. The entire premise behind the disorder is that a child (as it usually starts in childhood) will suffer abuse from a caretaker who is alternately loving and abusive. The theory behind the phenomena is that the child can’t handle this conflicting views of their care-taker, and through the psychological act of dissociation (basically you mind “being somewhere else”; think daydreaming) they are able allow themselves to somewhat pretend abuse didn’t happen. There are all sorts of theories as to why this dissociation can lead to branched off portions of the mind, but the fact is—it doesn’t just happen.This was sort of shoddy science in a rather well researched book, and unfortunately I couldn’t just ignore it.
Spoiler
To people who may not be as well versed in DID as I am, this may not be a problem. But I found the lack of a cause rather frustrating.In Conclusion
One or two problems present, but pretty excellent throughout. A great debut novel from [a:Katrina Leno|6549397|Katrina Leno|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1391117827p2/6549397.jpg] and I will certainly be watching her for her future works.