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tasarla's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
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
The first half of this book is a bit slow but the second half had me staying up all night to read it. The book gives an incredible perspective of the absolute exhaustion of motherhood & the tribulations of “just” a housewife who everyone underestimates & treats as a doormat. The mystery is gripping and shocking and not what I expected at all. One of the few times I’ve enjoyed an unreliable narrator in a book. Fantastic read, highly recommend.
The only thing that annoyed me about this book is the uselessness of the husband, it is endlessly frustrating to read but plays a key role in the story so it is a necessary evil.
The only thing that annoyed me about this book is the uselessness of the husband, it is endlessly frustrating to read but plays a key role in the story so it is a necessary evil.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Violence, and Kidnapping
jennilathrop's review against another edition
I might try this again, but the description of a mother in the '50s who is stressed, probably depressed and whose husband appears to be as helpful and loving as a stubbed toe just ramped up my own anxiety and I don't need that right now.
heli_hz's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
5.0
carolyn0613's review against another edition
5.0
This is a great read. I enjoyed the suspense and rising horror and suspicion. It is expertly plotted and the ending satisfyingly believable. It is of its time but this does not detract but adds to its merits. A brilliant story. Recommended
louisabooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
julyj's review against another edition
3.0
A slow start that eventually crept up with the story picking up its pace nearly halfway into the book. Told in omniscient POV, following the main protagonist, Louise, we journey through her life as a mother and what goes on in her overthinking mind (which to me became a bit draggy).
The results to the mysteries were predictable, though the misogynistic traits of men in that era were evident enough to develop an urge to jump in the book and tackle them :)
The results to the mysteries were predictable, though the misogynistic traits of men in that era were evident enough to develop an urge to jump in the book and tackle them :)
built_by_books's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
sandin954's review against another edition
5.0
This won the Edgar Award for best novel back in 1960 and features a mother trying to cope with a newborn who will not stop crying, two older girls, a typical English husband of the 1950s who shows his concern about the household by showing up unannounced for lunch and expecting a hot meal with meat, and new boarder in the attic.