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A review by rooree
The Bride by John Nicholl
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Judging by all the 5 star reviews for this book, some apparently enjoy the way this book is set up and the twist at the end, but I was highly, needlessly, frustrated by it.
Until the last approximately 7 pages, I would have given this a 3.5, probably a 4, especially if the ending had been done more convincingly. Quite intriguing storyline, although slow in some places and had an overly annoying habit of constantly foreshadowing (which could have been intentional over-the-top use by the author as if conveying the excessive attempt by the narrator to convince you of their narrative - but is still annoying to read). The main character Daisy is an unreliable narrator, which would be fine, except the plot twist revealing this requires a full 180 switch in character profile in revealing it, and does so in a rushed final 7 pages. The character comes across as completely naive, needy and somewhat childish/volatile in temperment, and then for the twist to work, needs to have actually been highly manipulative and conniving. Or have a personality disorder which leaves one personality unaware of the other. Maybe this was exactly the intent of the author, but you are left only 7 pages of rushed content exploring this and left to form your own conclusions as to exactly who murdered who and what might the 'reality' have been, with barely any threads with which to indulge those thoughts. Some might find this perfectly fine, but I found disappointing. This would have been better done with some extra post-trial narrative developing this with a creeping reveal, or possibly a short alternative narrative to provide the twist suggestions, of maybe Oliver or her mother's perspective on the aftermath of Oliver.
Overall, was reasonably good until the ending which left me frustrated enough to leave a review. But, other low scoring reviewers recognise better books by John Nicholl, so still keen to give these a go.
Until the last approximately 7 pages, I would have given this a 3.5, probably a 4, especially if the ending had been done more convincingly. Quite intriguing storyline, although slow in some places and had an overly annoying habit of constantly foreshadowing (which could have been intentional over-the-top use by the author as if conveying the excessive attempt by the narrator to convince you of their narrative - but is still annoying to read). The main character Daisy is an unreliable narrator, which would be fine, except the plot twist revealing this requires a full 180 switch in character profile in revealing it, and does so in a rushed final 7 pages. The character comes across as completely naive, needy and somewhat childish/volatile in temperment, and then for the twist to work, needs to have actually been highly manipulative and conniving. Or have a personality disorder which leaves one personality unaware of the other. Maybe this was exactly the intent of the author, but you are left only 7 pages of rushed content exploring this and left to form your own conclusions as to exactly who murdered who and what might the 'reality' have been, with barely any threads with which to indulge those thoughts. Some might find this perfectly fine, but I found disappointing. This would have been better done with some extra post-trial narrative developing this with a creeping reveal, or possibly a short alternative narrative to provide the twist suggestions, of maybe Oliver or her mother's perspective on the aftermath of Oliver.
Overall, was reasonably good until the ending which left me frustrated enough to leave a review. But, other low scoring reviewers recognise better books by John Nicholl, so still keen to give these a go.