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A review by nvadams
The Little Friend by Donna Tartt
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A wonderful book on the way that grief and trauma effects a town, a family, and in particular the main character Harriet whose search for answers is the driving force of the story.
General content warnings, a lot of racial tension and slurs used very liberally throughout, and a description of an animal death that has stuck with me sense I read it.
If you're looking for a whodunit or a crime novel I'd suggest you look elsewhere. I lagged on finishing the last ≈120 pages because it seemed pretty clear that the solution I had been expecting was most likely not in the cards.
The story is more so a look on what happens when a tragedy like the death of the nine year old boy Robin can not be explained or reasoned with. You do get closure on some aspects, but if you're looking for The Big Reveal you will be disappointed. I was, but Tartt's writing was more than worth it and I think the wrap up of the book was beautifully tense in its own way.
General content warnings, a lot of racial tension and slurs used very liberally throughout, and a description of an animal death that has stuck with me sense I read it.
The story is more so a look on what happens when a tragedy like the death of the nine year old boy Robin can not be explained or reasoned with. You do get closure on some aspects, but if you're looking for The Big Reveal you will be disappointed. I was, but Tartt's writing was more than worth it and I think the wrap up of the book was beautifully tense in its own way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Child death, Racial slurs, Racism, and Animal death
Moderate: Drug use and Drug abuse