zozoisgolden's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
First of all,
The Appeal is definitely an interesting ride from start to finish.
A murder has been committed and it's up to two junior lawyers to sift through a mountain of epistolary evidence in order to help the current suspect who their boss believes has been wrongly convicted. In order to do this, they go through the months-long correspondences of the members of a local theatre, The Fairway Players, run by Martin and Helen Haywood, two beloved pillars of the community.
The concept is interesting, although it would have made more sense for the two rookies to be officers or something, but for the ending, it does make sense. My rating is higher than it normally would be if I'd read only the book, but the audiobook had great performers who enhanced the distinction between character voices that just wasn't there in the physical copy. It also made certain twists more obvious because tone carries better than the written word.
My main grip with this was the bloody emails! No one is emailing that much when phones exist! People were emailing one another in situations that clearly warranted text messages. In retrospect, it was probably to hide but it was so unrealistic because even family members were emailing while sitting in the same room.
Certain aspects were dumped without warning because the author wasn't sure how to reveal it and the two lawyers were pretty slow on the uptake half the time. They only seemed to pick up much later.
All in all, it was a refreshing murder mystery with some interesting characters but these 'minor' grips ruined what could have been a great thing.
Spoiler
I never want to hear the word Africa come from a British person's lips again. I get that the characters are supposed to be insufferable and ignorant of everyone outside their circle, but even Femi, who is definitely Nigerian, talks about it the same way! Apart from his two somewhat flimsy defenses which the white woman with him makes sure to point out how caring makes him 'biased and emotional'The Appeal is definitely an interesting ride from start to finish.
A murder has been committed and it's up to two junior lawyers to sift through a mountain of epistolary evidence in order to help the current suspect who their boss believes has been wrongly convicted. In order to do this, they go through the months-long correspondences of the members of a local theatre, The Fairway Players, run by Martin and Helen Haywood, two beloved pillars of the community.
The concept is interesting, although it would have made more sense for the two rookies to be officers or something, but for the ending, it does make sense. My rating is higher than it normally would be if I'd read only the book, but the audiobook had great performers who enhanced the distinction between character voices that just wasn't there in the physical copy. It also made certain twists more obvious because tone carries better than the written word.
My main grip with this was the bloody emails! No one is emailing that much when phones exist! People were emailing one another in situations that clearly warranted text messages. In retrospect, it was probably to hide
Spoiler
the Issy/Lauren thing. you can't quite text yourself I guessCertain aspects were dumped without warning because the author wasn't sure how to reveal it
Spoiler
issy/lauren twistAll in all, it was a refreshing murder mystery with some interesting characters but these 'minor' grips ruined what could have been a great thing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
odrib's review
challenging
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Cancer, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Child abuse, and Stalking
Moderate: Bullying, Murder, Death, and Medical content
Minor: Infidelity, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Colonisation, Infertility, Addiction, Child death, and Excrement
embey's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Genuinely one of the most genius books I've ever read. Un-put-downable to the point of interfering with work.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Colonisation, Death, Excrement, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Medical content, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Addiction, Cancer, Mental illness, Murder, and War
Minor: Racism and Torture
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