mischastink's review
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
bunnieslikediamonds's review against another edition
3.0
I could be mistaken, as is often the case, but I felt like every page of this novel was loudly proclaiming to me: "I am not a tacky crime novel! I am a serious literary novel and I do not concern myself with your plebeian desire for answers! The brutal murder and mysterious disappearance are not here for your entertainment, unrefined reader, but for the lyrical exploration of dementia!" And also for drawing in readers who think it's a psychological thriller, I pointed out, but the novel was no longer listening to me.
Three stars for great writing though.
Three stars for great writing though.
caitlin16b's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
evanmc's review against another edition
2.0
A touching novel, beautifully written. Unfortunately this dragged severely in a bloated middle, and many of the perspectives I actively disliked and found not rooted in reality.
elentikvah's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
In preparation for October's Discomfort Book Club genre, Psychological Thriller, various searches were used to help me find a book - since once again this is not a genre that I usually read - finding Idaho listed as a "dark psychological thriller." I read the synopsis, "But then something unimaginably shocking happens, an act so extreme it will scatter the family in every different direction" and thought this should do it! Let's just say that this was the most "thriller" sentence of all the beautiful composition found within this story.
This story is a lot of things, filled with a poetic haunting prose. Unfortunately, this story was written from multiple POVs which caused the story to jump around chaotically, which narration tended to worsen - making the story challenging to follow.
This story is tragic - leaves most questions unanswered. It was not a satisfying read.
Rating 2/5 stars
10 hrs and 35 mins (1.75x)
Audiobook
This story is a lot of things, filled with a poetic haunting prose. Unfortunately, this story was written from multiple POVs which caused the story to jump around chaotically, which narration tended to worsen - making the story challenging to follow.
This story is tragic - leaves most questions unanswered. It was not a satisfying read.
Rating 2/5 stars
10 hrs and 35 mins (1.75x)
Audiobook
thebookwitch876's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
rebeccajmoran's review against another edition
Some elements of this storyline appealed to me more than others. The writing is beautiful though and for that, Idaho is a worthy winner of the International Dublin Literary Award.
itsmebee's review against another edition
4.0
Worth a read! Emily switches between perspectives artfully as she writes through one family's loss of two children. It deals with loss, dementia, and living with a steadiness that felt true to life. Recommended.
cashoe8's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5