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A review by jacs63
The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
While I enjoyed this easy to read, page-turner, I'm not a fan of books the run on a 3 chapter turn-over.
There's one chapter about the going's on in the 80's and 90's in Chelsea; then an up to date chapter about some members of the family, and then one about a very innocent member of the plot.
I find it hard sometimes to keep the interest going when there is a 2 chapter gap before the story continues again. I find it annoying.
Its a fairly gruesome story at times, but its quite predictable.
It's a good book and worth 4 stars, but so over-hyped by the publishers etc. Saying that, I will read the sequel, only because I want to find out about Phin.
There's one chapter about the going's on in the 80's and 90's in Chelsea; then an up to date chapter about some members of the family, and then one about a very innocent member of the plot.
I find it hard sometimes to keep the interest going when there is a 2 chapter gap before the story continues again. I find it annoying.
Its a fairly gruesome story at times, but its quite predictable.
It's a good book and worth 4 stars, but so over-hyped by the publishers etc. Saying that, I will read the sequel, only because I want to find out about Phin.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Abandonment, Cursing, Rape, Animal cruelty, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Miscarriage, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Violence