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bibliophilebookclub's review against another edition
4.0
I read Three Hours back in November, but it is still as clear as day in my head. I think that’s because of a couple of things. Firstly, it is a beautifully written novel, but secondly, it spoke to my heart as a parent. It took one of my worst fears, and realised it on paper. Albeit it in a stunningly eloquent and emotive way, but it really hit me hard.
I knew going into Three Hours that it was not going to be an easy subject to read about. School shootings are sadly becoming more prevalent in today’s increasingly warped world, and any book that deals with it is going to be an emotional gut punch. Bring that location to the UK, as the author has done, and it becomes closer to home (I’m in Ireland) and more tangible.
I, as a rule, tend to stay away from books that involve kids these days. I have no doubt that its since I became a parent. I am hard-wired to feel a constant fear of the “what if?” for my kids, and reading books in which there is the threat of harm etc ramps that up exponentially. So it was definitely with a little trepidation on my part that I picked up Three Hours.
Rosamund Lupton has written a thoroughly compelling book in Three Hours. I felt like I was right there with the characters the whole way through, and I was emotionally wrung out upon finishing it. I had tears in my eyes more than once while reading, and it takes A LOT to make me cry, so that is testament to the strength and depth of feeling in this book.
On the face of it, its about a school siege and told through their viewpoints of the various characters as the actual three hours pass. But it is also about resilience, bravery, honesty, and most importantly, love. Love is the thing. Immeasurable, messy, complicated in many forms, but the nuances in Three Hours will make you see love differently.
Heartbreaking, compelling and utterly brilliant, I loved Three Hours.
Highly recommended.
I knew going into Three Hours that it was not going to be an easy subject to read about. School shootings are sadly becoming more prevalent in today’s increasingly warped world, and any book that deals with it is going to be an emotional gut punch. Bring that location to the UK, as the author has done, and it becomes closer to home (I’m in Ireland) and more tangible.
I, as a rule, tend to stay away from books that involve kids these days. I have no doubt that its since I became a parent. I am hard-wired to feel a constant fear of the “what if?” for my kids, and reading books in which there is the threat of harm etc ramps that up exponentially. So it was definitely with a little trepidation on my part that I picked up Three Hours.
Rosamund Lupton has written a thoroughly compelling book in Three Hours. I felt like I was right there with the characters the whole way through, and I was emotionally wrung out upon finishing it. I had tears in my eyes more than once while reading, and it takes A LOT to make me cry, so that is testament to the strength and depth of feeling in this book.
On the face of it, its about a school siege and told through their viewpoints of the various characters as the actual three hours pass. But it is also about resilience, bravery, honesty, and most importantly, love. Love is the thing. Immeasurable, messy, complicated in many forms, but the nuances in Three Hours will make you see love differently.
Heartbreaking, compelling and utterly brilliant, I loved Three Hours.
Highly recommended.
frinsreads's review against another edition
4.0
*3.5 stars rounded up*
This book follows a group of people, students and teachers alike, trapped in a school during a school shooting. As the situation begins to escalate, and the wounded head teacher loses more and more blood, the plot winds towards its ultimate climax
This book reminded me a lot of Beartown in it's tone, partly, and it's multi-povs. Also in the presence of snow and the small town vibes in both
I did enjoy this book, but I think there are people who would get more out of it and enjoy it more (perhaps people who enjoyed Beartown). I do appreciate the concept of the novel being set across three hours, but I think for me that made it drag a little. The tension was maintained throughout, but perhaps I just prefer frequent scene changes to keep me interested
This book will be published 09/01/20; this earc was sent to me in exchange for an honest review
This book follows a group of people, students and teachers alike, trapped in a school during a school shooting. As the situation begins to escalate, and the wounded head teacher loses more and more blood, the plot winds towards its ultimate climax
This book reminded me a lot of Beartown in it's tone, partly, and it's multi-povs. Also in the presence of snow and the small town vibes in both
I did enjoy this book, but I think there are people who would get more out of it and enjoy it more (perhaps people who enjoyed Beartown). I do appreciate the concept of the novel being set across three hours, but I think for me that made it drag a little. The tension was maintained throughout, but perhaps I just prefer frequent scene changes to keep me interested
This book will be published 09/01/20; this earc was sent to me in exchange for an honest review
misspashx's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25
jhews's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
smarzipan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
claire_p's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A fast paced thriller set over the course of three Hours. The book follows the police, students, teachers & parents of an isolated school under siege. I was gripped from the start! The characters are well developed despite the book switching to different charcters frequently. The innocence and humanity of the children characterised in the book highlights the drastic contrast something as inhuman as a school shooting is. The subject is well researched addressing a multitude of difficult topics which can be hard to read at times. There were a few twists and turns in this novel - some expected and some not. Overall, an atmospheric emotive book.
"A novel that you live rather than merely read"
"A novel that you live rather than merely read"
elaine56's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
jentidders's review against another edition
5.0
One winter's day, in the middle of a snowstorm, the pupils and teachers of a liberal school in England realise they are in the midst of a terror attack.
Over the course of three hours, we gradually learn about what is transpiring, from the point of view of Matthew Marr the headmaster who has been shot, DI Rose Polstein the police psychologist trying to profile the gunmen, Rafi a 16 year old Syrian refugee trying to save his little brother, and Hannah a brave student trying to help her teachers and friends.
The pacing of the book is incredible, launching straight into the action and never letting up, and it is also extraordinarily beautifully written. I turned pages with my heart in my mouth, wanting to know what would happen next and exclaimed out loud on more than one occasion.
It's hard to say much more without giving spoilers, but this is a powerful, compelling, harrowing, and politically important book which tackles refugee crisis, extremism, liberalism and the conservative media, and I am sure it will be one of my books of 2020.
Over the course of three hours, we gradually learn about what is transpiring, from the point of view of Matthew Marr the headmaster who has been shot, DI Rose Polstein the police psychologist trying to profile the gunmen, Rafi a 16 year old Syrian refugee trying to save his little brother, and Hannah a brave student trying to help her teachers and friends.
The pacing of the book is incredible, launching straight into the action and never letting up, and it is also extraordinarily beautifully written. I turned pages with my heart in my mouth, wanting to know what would happen next and exclaimed out loud on more than one occasion.
It's hard to say much more without giving spoilers, but this is a powerful, compelling, harrowing, and politically important book which tackles refugee crisis, extremism, liberalism and the conservative media, and I am sure it will be one of my books of 2020.