david_slack110507's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a very messed up story that focuses on the blurred lines of what is true and what is false and how far someone will go in lying to themselves, so they believe it, particularly with Josie in the ending. Josie was an interesting character to watch as when from her perspective she repeatedly lies to the audience and shapes the narrative in a way that suits her and what she truly believes is the case and it is only later on that we start to be encouraged to question whether or not what she is saying is truthful and has any merit to it. Alix felt like at times she was a representation of the audience who are trying to piece together Josie's story while also eventually coming to point out the lies in what is considered to be the truth. I felt like the two were very interesting characters to follow as they interweave in and out of one another's lives. Josie's story of being a victim, whether her narrative is real or not, does not place her as a villain because of the things that she has said has happened to her and the subject matter is dealt with in an appropriate fashion without being written off when it comes to light that at least certain things are proven to be not true.
The ending of the book was a major highlight for me as it seemingly wraps up the story in a clear and concise fashion in which every major plot point or secret is explained and its importance is revealed only for the final chapter to be from Josie's perspective to flip the narrative on its head due to how it questions the finality of the ending and whether or not the narrative has been properly revealed or manipulated due to who is control of it. In the ending, Josie seemingly believes that she is innocent and has done nothing wrong including the murder of her daughter, Roxy's, friend Brooke which she blames on her daughter. I liked this to be the ending chapter of the book as not only is it a good representation of the theme of control of a narrative but it also ends with the 'true' narrative of the book being up to the reader as to whether they believe what was accepted as the general truth by the majority of the public, the truth believed by Josie (that is most likely a narrative she created to avoid taking the blame) or maybe a bit of both (e.g. the murder of Brooke could be what Josie said that it was not actually her but her daughter and so she along with her family helped cover it up linking back to what Walter feared earlier in the book about something being revealed to the police). Even though it appears that it has an open and shut case ending, it could also be picked apart and given a different interpretation depending on the reader which made me appreciate the writing even more.
Overall, I really enjoyed my first Lisa Jewell book, and it makes me excited for whenever I get around to reading the other books I have of hers as well as the rest of her books. The twists and turns that were consistent throughout kept me invested and the characters particularly our main ones were very interesting in themselves.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Alcohol, Cursing, Grief, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Stalking, Addiction, Kidnapping, Sexism, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Infidelity, Pregnancy, Bullying, Confinement, Misogyny, and Pandemic/Epidemic
annie_brewer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Well the title of this book is
Spoiler
None Of This Is TrueIt is an easy read with good writing, but the story is just not there. isa Jewell did excellently to create some an unsettling feeling in her book and the build up is well paced, but all the reveals are hinted at too heavily for any climactic occurances in the novel to feel monumental or suprising.
I also am not sure listening to the audiobook has influenced my experienrence, as the layers of recording for a podcast/the podcast/ the Netflix documentary are a bit clunky , but I don't know if even being on paper the format changes would do the story any favors.
I first read 'The Night She Dissappeared' by Lisa Jewell which I thought the mystery was incredible and was so keen to keep absorbing the story (although it is very outrageous and farfetched) and would reccomend that novel to be enjoyed rather than this one!
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Pedophilia, and Toxic relationship
norwegianforestreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Cursing, Excrement, Kidnapping, Medical content, Mental illness, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual content, Abandonment, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Stalking, Suicide, Violence, Eating disorder, Grief, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Pedophilia
ellieisreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Pedophilia, Death, and Child abuse
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Addiction, and Stalking
homebodywitch's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Spoiler
kidnapping and murder of NathanGraphic: Mental illness, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Stalking, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Addiction
mmmkay's review against another edition
4.25
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Pedophilia, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent
onarosebeam's review against another edition
- 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
I’ve realized as I’ve started reading more adult thrillers (and diving more into the thriller/horror spheres in general as opposed to just mysteries) is that I have no clue how to rate them unless I didn’t like them. And even then I have no idea if I like them. Just that I was riveted.
BUT with a thriller, the twist or reveal can totally make or break a story for me.
I was definitely riveted but confused the whole time. I spent the whole book anticipating the reveal so I wasn't super shocked. The very end was weird and there were lots of little things littered throughout that made me uncomfy. So I actually have no idea how to rate this one. But I was sucked in. Do with that what you will.
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Gaslighting, and Addiction
carlyjb16's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Confinement, Death, Child abuse, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Gaslighting, and Murder
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Addiction, Ableism, and Torture
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic
abi_g_mac's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Minor: Domestic abuse and Addiction
haleysversion's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship