hexa's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Death, Kidnapping, Medical content, Sexism, Stalking, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
niamphoone's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Classism, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Misogyny, Stalking, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Injury/injury detail, Rape, Grief, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
fortaintedsorrow's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
carolinerd's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Fred, a lonely misfit who collects butterflies for a hobby, develops an obsession with a young art student, Miranda. He stalks her for a while then, after a win on the football pools, purchases a house in a remote location and begins furnishing it with a view to abducting her and keeping her captive 'in a nice way.'
The narrative style is interesting, beginning with Fred's account then moving on to Miranda's version of events. The interactions between the two characters are fascinating. What is so horribly intriguing is the way Fred constantly justifies his actions. He knows that his chances of getting close to Miranda in the normal course of life would be zero, so he has to kidnap her. He thinks of her as his 'guest' rather than his victim and he sees his behavior as reasonable and even chivalrous.
I admit I found Miranda's narrative a tad boring and felt the novel went off the boil for a while during this section. Her ramblings about art and the older man who she seemed obsessed with just did not hold my interest. However, the pace and the suspense picked up again as the novel reached its conclusion. The ending is utterly chilling.
It is a thought-provoking read. The theme of imprisonment - not just physical imprisonment but intellectual and emotional imprisonment, the restrictions placed upon us by society, class, upbringing and gender - raises interesting questions. It seems very relevant to today in these disturbing times of 'aggrieved entitlement' and Andrew Tate's misogynist followers, men who feel they have been pushed to the margins of society. I fear there must be a few more Freds out there.
The narrative style is interesting, beginning with Fred's account then moving on to Miranda's version of events. The interactions between the two characters are fascinating. What is so horribly intriguing is the way Fred constantly justifies his actions. He knows that his chances of getting close to Miranda in the normal course of life would be zero, so he has to kidnap her. He thinks of her as his 'guest' rather than his victim and he sees his behavior as reasonable and even chivalrous.
I admit I found Miranda's narrative a tad boring and felt the novel went off the boil for a while during this section. Her ramblings about art and the older man who she seemed obsessed with just did not hold my interest. However, the pace and the suspense picked up again as the novel reached its conclusion. The ending is utterly chilling.
It is a thought-provoking read. The theme of imprisonment - not just physical imprisonment but intellectual and emotional imprisonment, the restrictions placed upon us by society, class, upbringing and gender - raises interesting questions. It seems very relevant to today in these disturbing times of 'aggrieved entitlement' and Andrew Tate's misogynist followers, men who feel they have been pushed to the margins of society. I fear there must be a few more Freds out there.
braydenpriebe's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sophiabunny's review against another edition
1.0
I only started reading this beacause a friend reccomended it to me, i'm not sure if I would have read it otherwise. This is painful to read, very, very slow, I knew it wouldn't be a very fast book, but my God, I didn't think it would be THIS slow. If aren't really a fan of slow books (like me), I wouldn't reccomend it to you. I can see how this book can be good, but it was to slow for me to enjoy it.
ahghon3yy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
friendlyneighbourhoodreader's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
alina_ni's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5