Reviews with content warning for Infidelity - The Girls

Definitely not my favourite book by Lisa Jewell. The second half - ‘after’ the crime was much pacier and better than the first half. But I didn’t find myself invested in the characters and there were some loose ends that didn’t quite feel resolved for me.

Content Warnings

chandle5's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

rinnfoskey's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated

1.5

I know some people loved this book which is why I purchased initially, but don't think I would recommend it. Technically the writing was compelling and and the story initially hooked me, but I found some of the themes to be uncomfortable. Not in a way that I felt challenged me so I learned something but was perhaps unnecessary? Or that she didn't really know what message she wanted you to take away.

I did find it interesting the use of flashback so you first read of the incident that happened, then flashback and work your way to the present so it makes you consider each character with suspicion.

<Spoiler>

The plot revolves around a 13 year old girl who is found in a communal garden in a coma with her shirt pulled up and pants pulled down. The novel then flashes back and tells you the story up to the present. There are suspicions and descriptions of inappropriate behaviour from 18 year old with 13 year old, and a father man who grabs and leers at all the women (in the past).

Ultimately the plot/resolution is a love triangle but with the 13 year olds. I found the sexual activity descriptions of such young characters particularly against the suspicions of paedophilia uncomfortable. The lift scene being a prime example... I don't think it was either pushing the boundary of comfort to really explore coming of age and sexual maturity, etc. I felt more like it was just used as plot tool and I think with these types of stories you really have to be careful.
Also the girl who is found, her sister and her mom moved to the garden because their father is schizophrenic and has an episode where he burns their house down. While it provides a compelling back story, again I don't know if it was approached in the best way. Though he is in hospital, is treated and ultimately released it does come across as "you can never really trust mentally ill folks to not try and kill you!'

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