Adam SP
This was a fascinating read. It features a story, that then has a story being written by the same author within.
There are many time jumps, which can leave you wanting for some better structure and stability, as at times it can be drastic and uncomfortable.
There are also [many] moments where it feels like it's about to climax, for the big reveal, and then it continues on. Like one of those movies that just keeps on going.
I'm glad to have read it.
Confusing, intimidating, confronting, and exciting.
It's a solid 3.8/5, and I'm damned glad to have read it.
It's a pretty gripping read, with good twists and turns.
There's some missing finesse, and a few issues around continuity, but overall, was a good story.
Intimately clever, deep, emotive, and heartachingly beautiful.
Jacqueline has done a phenomenal job with this debut, and I am immensely grateful for this artwork to be available.
If crime/thriller/suspense is your thing, but you also like the philosophical, this is absolutely a book for you.
Honestly, 2.9, rounded up.
It's like Black Widow and Captain America origin stories combined, without lots of the Marvel fluff.
It's fun. It's intriguing in places. It's cliched as hell.
I can appreciate how some people would love it.
Very well written, but extremely messed up.
Crime, violence (grotesque), thrilling, at times horror, and heartache.
You seriously don't know what's coming next. The twists in this book are frequent, and just brilliant. They come on so subtly sometimes, and other times BAM, whiplash.
There are aspects that almost make this non-fiction, in how genuinely [expletive] men are. I don't think it's a spoiler, but a fact of the world we live in.
But, this book is amazing, and the ending let's the imagination run wild, and, maybe, there is closure in your imagination...
Ian Rankin is quoted(1) as describing this book as “A gaslighting masterclass”, and I couldn't agree more!
Some reviewers have stated that the book starts slowly, and it can feel that way, but if you've ever had to deal with a family like Emma's, and the onset of insomnia, Sarah plays it out absolutely superb.
There are aspects of the story telling that frustrate me, but I'm unsure if it's my frustration with the characters (bloody hell men are the worst) or the way the lack of communication is written. I did find myself irritated at times, and not just at the characters.
All in all, a fantastic read, and highly recommended.
Footnotes
1. First edition paperback, rear cover
Honestly, wow. The way Polly expertly juggled the Now and Then of this story is incredible.
Fantastic story (in a depressing kind of way) told very well.
There are some areas that could have used improvement, as is expected for a second novel, but Polly should be exceedingly proud of what she's achieved.
As a story, it's a solid 4.5/5. Dave is a captivating author, with a vividity and excitement that is missing in a lot of autobiographies.
Unfortunately, at times, Dave gets too enraptured in his own words and gets a bit repetitive; this is one of the reasons for dropping the score a bit.
There's also a lot of jumping about through the past, which was amazing, but at times there is no "landmark" as to where in time we are.
But, what drags it down a bit, is Dave's lack of accountability with his infidelity. He cries out his absolute devotion to his daughters, his wife, and his mum, but never acknowledges his own contradictions. That missing accountability is what brought my rating down.
All in all, thoroughly enjoyable read for anyone who's even only heard one of the many songs Grohl has been a party to.
He's certainly a Storyteller!
I don't really have words. There is so much to ponder now that I'm done, and I don't regret a single page.
Thank you Louise for such a sensational book.
Now excuse me while I wipe away the tears. I've been chopping onions, I swear...
I loved 55, and this book exceeded all expectations (which were a lot.)
Thank you James for another phenomenal book!
This is a brutal, hard, hard read. Extremely well written, and absolutely blood chilling.
4.75 out of 5. Absolutely sensational!!
0.25 is only because occasionally the author would jump around perspective between paragraphs, which was confusing, but it was only a small bit, and you'd easily readjust.
For a debut novel, amazing. Well done Emma!
Also, the twist? Holy Mother, I was not ready, and could not predict it. Just wow!
I don't know how to explain it. Joyce's way of writing is fascinating, and haunting. This book is both utterly compelling, brilliant, yet simultaneously mediocre. Absolutely loved it, and I am chilled by each and every ending.
4.25 out of 5.
Great character development, well paced story, and utterly impressive ending.
I'll be pondering this one a while...
OK, so the first 2/3 of the book I was struggling with the main character a bit, until more details were revealed and it was clear we were dealing with cPTSD and lots of other things; after that it all clicked and I heart-breakingly loved her.
I was leaning to 3.5 stars up until this point, but the last 1/3 took it to 4.5, and so I've evened it at 4. I'm so glad to have read it, and think the author should be incredibly proud of their work!!
Completed the book in just over 24 hours. Gripping, thrilling, intriguing.
Such an intimate and true depiction of outback Australia; the slang, discord, and the sheer honesty of the scenery.
The mannerisms of different characters. The inner monologue of Chandler.
So Aussie.
Brilliant book.
CW: abuse, suicide
This was a hard read. The raw realness of what Louise writes about is happening, all the time, around us, and so many women suffer.
The overarching theme is domestic violence, with a sprinkling of child abuse and suicide.
It's really, bloody hard. But Louise does an amazing job giving the main character her complete and utter deserved dignity and peace.
The book starts abrupt, then just fascinating. It's not entirely gripping, initially, but fascinating, and you know something is just around the corner.
Then things start to really happen, and the warning bells are going.
Then they really ramp up! And damn, I literally couldn't put it down.
The main douche canoe needed far more comeuppance. I think that's the only thing that I could draw as a negative: he got off too lightly, and deserved far worse.
Thank you Louise, great book!
I originally read part one of this book in high school, for English, and my 14 year old self hated it.
Reading it now, this is an incredible work of literature.
No, it's not clean. It's not beautifully edited and powerfully structured. It's, at times, a hot mess. But that ties in so well with the protagonist's state of mind, and the world around them.
The first 50 pages or so were a 2.5, the next 100 were a 3, and then the rest ramped between a 3.5 and a 4.
This was a fascinating read.
I actually struggled for the first ~170 pages, being unable to get into the story and the writing style, but then it ramps up something fierce. The last ~80 pages had me very much on edge, and completely enthralled.
Not my typical genre, but very glad to have read it.