mariemaistrop's review against another edition
2.0
The ending was good, although some parts were a little predictable and the parts about the script are really interesting but the rest was way too long. Annie's sex and love life felt way too obsessive, at times you could really feel that a man had written this, thinking about what it could feel like to be a woman, but it was very annoying and almost disturbing. The male-gaze is clearly present and I had to skip many pages that just made me annoyed.
booktwitcher23's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
tevs83's review against another edition
4.0
Annie O'Neill is een dertig jarig 'meisje' die in de knel zit met de zin van haar bestaan. Ze steekt al haar tijd in een tweedehands boekwinkeltje, heeft geen sociaal leven, heeft nooit een echt betekenisvolle relatie gehad en heeft het idee dat ze compleet wereldvreemd is.
Op een dag staat er een vreemde in de boekwinkel die haar een manuscript overhandigd welke het leven van Annie compleet overhoop gooit.
Annie O'Neill is een personage waar je na een paar bladzijden al verliefd op wordt en die je al het goede van de wereld gunt. Haar strijdt met het leven is voor alle eerlijke mensen herkenbaar en in te voelen. Ook de meeste bijrollen worden vervuld door rijke, boeiende personages.
'Een ongenode gast' hinkt op meerdere gedachten. Het boek bevat zowel elementen van een thriller als van een romantisch verhaal, maar deze zijn versneden in de twee verhalen die in het boek worden verteld. Soms wringt dit en duurt het te lang voordat de opgebouwde spanning tot een climax komt. De vloeiende schrijfstijl maakt echter dat het geheel lekker wegleest en dat je niet verveeld zult raken tijdens het verhaal dat toewerkt naar een heerlijk bevredigend einde.
Op een dag staat er een vreemde in de boekwinkel die haar een manuscript overhandigd welke het leven van Annie compleet overhoop gooit.
Annie O'Neill is een personage waar je na een paar bladzijden al verliefd op wordt en die je al het goede van de wereld gunt. Haar strijdt met het leven is voor alle eerlijke mensen herkenbaar en in te voelen. Ook de meeste bijrollen worden vervuld door rijke, boeiende personages.
'Een ongenode gast' hinkt op meerdere gedachten. Het boek bevat zowel elementen van een thriller als van een romantisch verhaal, maar deze zijn versneden in de twee verhalen die in het boek worden verteld. Soms wringt dit en duurt het te lang voordat de opgebouwde spanning tot een climax komt. De vloeiende schrijfstijl maakt echter dat het geheel lekker wegleest en dat je niet verveeld zult raken tijdens het verhaal dat toewerkt naar een heerlijk bevredigend einde.
bibliobethreads's review against another edition
Good read enjoyed the storyline and the character of Sullivan although thought Annie was a bit wet at times. Guessed the ending but still worth a look.
sean67's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully written novel, that does not quite sustain itself all the way.although it does have a great conclusion.
This is my second Ellory book and there are some definite thematic similarities and stylistic ones as well.
Overall a good read if slightly too long.
This is my second Ellory book and there are some definite thematic similarities and stylistic ones as well.
Overall a good read if slightly too long.
endeavour1001's review
1.0
Annie gets taken for a ride, literally.
Big fan of both A Quiet Belief in Angels and Candlemoth. This novel was a real - and predictable - disappointment.
Big fan of both A Quiet Belief in Angels and Candlemoth. This novel was a real - and predictable - disappointment.
booksanddachshunds's review against another edition
Full review on my blog
** Disclamer: I did received this book via NetGalley. This had in no way, shape or form affected my opinion on it. **
The basic plot of this story was really interresting, and I would’ve really wanted to know more about it .. but my problem with this is just how that particular book he brought her to read was Historical for starter, which isn’t my cup of tea, but even more – it was begenning with Hitler’s concentration camps and were really descriptive; to jump to politic/card gambling for money .. which again lose me completely and thoses long chapters where it is involved was a pain for me to read. As she think Forrester’s book may tell her something about her own father, it’s parts of the story I don’t think I can really skip. Which makes everything even worse.
** Disclamer: I did received this book via NetGalley. This had in no way, shape or form affected my opinion on it. **
The basic plot of this story was really interresting, and I would’ve really wanted to know more about it .. but my problem with this is just how that particular book he brought her to read was Historical for starter, which isn’t my cup of tea, but even more – it was begenning with Hitler’s concentration camps and were really descriptive; to jump to politic/card gambling for money .. which again lose me completely and thoses long chapters where it is involved was a pain for me to read. As she think Forrester’s book may tell her something about her own father, it’s parts of the story I don’t think I can really skip. Which makes everything even worse.
urlphantomhive's review against another edition
4.0
READ IN DUTCH
This was the first book I read by RJ Ellory, quite some time ago. At the moment this book isn't for sale in the Netherlands, something I find really strange, for it was one of the best thrillers I've ever read.
It's not primarily about the story, that wasn't too special, but the writing style is just terrific. Sometimes is closer to a novel than a suspense novel, but it is enjoyable anyways. Here in the Netherlands publicers like to use the word Literature when describing a thriller, but if there is one writer who deserves to be called 'Literature Thriller' it has to be RJ Ellory!
This was the first book I read by RJ Ellory, quite some time ago. At the moment this book isn't for sale in the Netherlands, something I find really strange, for it was one of the best thrillers I've ever read.
It's not primarily about the story, that wasn't too special, but the writing style is just terrific. Sometimes is closer to a novel than a suspense novel, but it is enjoyable anyways. Here in the Netherlands publicers like to use the word Literature when describing a thriller, but if there is one writer who deserves to be called 'Literature Thriller' it has to be RJ Ellory!
anneaustex's review
4.0
I really loved this book. It was well written and I had no idea where the story was going until very near the end. Kudos to R J Ellory!!