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A review by emiliedeeann
The Girls in the Garden by Lisa Jewell
2.0
1 star or 4? Settled on 2. This is a mystery that builds very slowly. You spend 150+ pages getting to know the characters and caring about them. THEN the plot starts picking up.
A young girl is bullied and her body is left exposed; leaving the other characters to wonder whether she was assaulted, or positioned that way on purpose in order to slut shame. Well, this girl doesn’t get any justice. That would be one thing, some social commentary on how victims rarely do. However, the book seemed to rationalize that she did get her justice in her own way, as did the other characters who caused this trauma.
I appreciated the subtle commentary on mental illness, sexism and family dynamics. However, I did not like how the book ended. This is one of those situations where intent doesn’t outweigh hurt that was caused. The characters in this book excuse evil behaviors in the name of empathy. I found that disheartening.
A young girl is bullied and her body is left exposed; leaving the other characters to wonder whether she was assaulted, or positioned that way on purpose in order to slut shame. Well, this girl doesn’t get any justice. That would be one thing, some social commentary on how victims rarely do. However, the book seemed to rationalize that she did get her justice in her own way, as did the other characters who caused this trauma.
I appreciated the subtle commentary on mental illness, sexism and family dynamics. However, I did not like how the book ended. This is one of those situations where intent doesn’t outweigh hurt that was caused. The characters in this book excuse evil behaviors in the name of empathy. I found that disheartening.