Scan barcode
A review by sabrinaslivingliterature
The Ophelia Girls by Jane Healey
4.0
A mother’s secret past and her daughter’s present collide in this richly atmospheric novel in the gothic tradition reminiscent of Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier.
*Trigger Warnings*
*grooming, adult-minor relationship, drowning, homophobia, cancer, death*
I really enjoyed this book it had an unnerving undertone and is definitely inspired by gothic literature as well as the images of Pre-Raphaelite art where it gets its name.
It is beautifully written to give the chilling scenery and there is lots of foreshadowing that I loved. The dual story line is not something I am familiar with but it very much worked in this book showing the parallels between the lives of the mother and daughter both in the same house during a summer. This is a page turner and although I kind of knew where it was going the ending was still amazing and the revelations still chilling.
I don't think you are meant to like any of the characters in this book particularly, however, I found Maeve annoying at times although again I think that is the point she's a teenager she's immature and sullen and cruel to those around her at times. I also found Alex to be rather a one dimensional character, however, as we read through Maeve's view of her father and Ruth's view of her husband this is unsurprising but it would be nice to have known more about him.
Over all I enjoyed this book and look forward to picking up other books by the author.
*Trigger Warnings*
*grooming, adult-minor relationship, drowning, homophobia, cancer, death*
I really enjoyed this book it had an unnerving undertone and is definitely inspired by gothic literature as well as the images of Pre-Raphaelite art where it gets its name.
It is beautifully written to give the chilling scenery and there is lots of foreshadowing that I loved. The dual story line is not something I am familiar with but it very much worked in this book showing the parallels between the lives of the mother and daughter both in the same house during a summer. This is a page turner and although I kind of knew where it was going the ending was still amazing and the revelations still chilling.
I don't think you are meant to like any of the characters in this book particularly, however, I found Maeve annoying at times although again I think that is the point she's a teenager she's immature and sullen and cruel to those around her at times. I also found Alex to be rather a one dimensional character, however, as we read through Maeve's view of her father and Ruth's view of her husband this is unsurprising but it would be nice to have known more about him.
Over all I enjoyed this book and look forward to picking up other books by the author.