fortmeines 's review for:

The Chimney Sweeper's Boy by Barbara Vine, Ruth Rendell
3.5
sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Not a single likeable core character to be found, but I believe the author made it clear that we were not supposed to like any of them. The main family is a picture of dysfunction: a rude and unloving husband who spoiled his daughters, a doormat of a wife, and two absolute brats, one of whom still called her father "daddy" as an adult.

The story itself was an easy read, though longer than it needed to be. It was also interesting enough to keep me reading. The ending, however, was very emotionally unsatisfying.