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libraryofdreaming 's review for:
The Likeness
by Tana French
While I was visiting my sister last month she was absorbed by The Likeness. I'm surprised she even spoke to me, to be honest. Although it's really not my usual cup of tea, I took my sister's recommendation and I really, really loved this book! It was dark and gripping. The writing was amazing. I was glued to the page and skipped through 600+ pages in about a day and a half. It was addicting! The atmosphere was so compelling I felt like I was living in the book. The setting of early 2000s Dublin was super well done. It made me want to start smoking cigarettes and drinking hard liquor (like, in a good way).
Cassie Maddox was a very interesting narrator. She's super messed up but fascinating to watch crash and burn. The mystery itself was compelling as well. I guessed quite a few things pretty early but I was still hypnotized by the plot. It was dark and psychological without being too gory for me. Some of it moves slow and there's a climax, then a fall out, then a final climax which makes for a rather jerky ride to the end. I still was sitting at the edge of my seat for every second of it. Cassie makes some crazy stupid mistakes which drove me a bit crazy, but I understand how she became so emotionally involved. Whitethorne and its tight-knit occupants sounded so appealing. I too want to live in an old Irish house with a bunch of like-minded people who care deeply about me. That golden dream of platonic intimacy is truly bewitching. Minus the whole murder thing obviously.
I want to inhale Tana French's writing skills. The way she blended psychology, drama, and the occasional dash of supernatural. I was truly absorbed. Cassie's obsession with Lexie was creepily fascinating. I thought the writing reflected her struggle with identity very well. Her final decision to hunt down the murderer no matter what "because it's her job" also felt very in character. I may have been frustrated with her, but I understood where she was coming from. And seriously, if no one was going to murder me, I would be SOO into living at Whitethorne.
I was completely bewitched by this book and I'm glad I read it. It destroyed me and haunted me in the best possible way. I could pick it up and read it again this moment just so I could recapture that all-absorping atmosphere.
Cassie Maddox was a very interesting narrator. She's super messed up but fascinating to watch crash and burn. The mystery itself was compelling as well. I guessed quite a few things pretty early but I was still hypnotized by the plot. It was dark and psychological without being too gory for me. Some of it moves slow and there's a climax, then a fall out, then a final climax which makes for a rather jerky ride to the end. I still was sitting at the edge of my seat for every second of it. Cassie makes some crazy stupid mistakes which drove me a bit crazy, but I understand how she became so emotionally involved. Whitethorne and its tight-knit occupants sounded so appealing. I too want to live in an old Irish house with a bunch of like-minded people who care deeply about me. That golden dream of platonic intimacy is truly bewitching. Minus the whole murder thing obviously.
I want to inhale Tana French's writing skills. The way she blended psychology, drama, and the occasional dash of supernatural. I was truly absorbed. Cassie's obsession with Lexie was creepily fascinating. I thought the writing reflected her struggle with identity very well. Her final decision to hunt down the murderer no matter what "because it's her job" also felt very in character. I may have been frustrated with her, but I understood where she was coming from. And seriously, if no one was going to murder me, I would be SOO into living at Whitethorne.
Spoiler
The end made me cry even though I saw it coming. Yeah, I'm more upset about the house than anything else. :P In a way, I'm okay with not knowing exactly what happened. But I am left wondering if Daniel really did let Lexie die... Those clenched hands are still haunting me even if Cassie's final image of her death was actually lovely.I was completely bewitched by this book and I'm glad I read it. It destroyed me and haunted me in the best possible way. I could pick it up and read it again this moment just so I could recapture that all-absorping atmosphere.