librarylilac's review against another edition
3.0
It's disappointing that there are so many instances in this book of 'Her and...' rather than 'She and...'; if the author could not get this right, the editor should have. This book sounded like just my cup of tea, but it was a bit flat for me.
joshoonet's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mpr2000's review against another edition
5.0
What a read! Gripping, emotive and full of powerful thoughts; impossible to put down.
I’ll admit that I was attracted to this book for the cover, it intrigued me… a nice kitchen with some blood on the floor, what happened? Are the owners ok? Who would want to harm them?
Everything will start in 1959, one afternoon in Sunnylakes, this peaceful neighborhood will change forever after the disappearance of one of their residents; a wife, a mother, a friend. The problem is that this neighborhood is like a wasp’s nest, everyone has secrets and is ready to do anything to hide them. That’s why the case will not only be investigated by a detective but the maid of the house, a young black intelligent woman that wants to go to college and have a future.
The story is told between these 3 characters; the detective, Mick, Joyce and Ruby, telling us the views of each character and their thoughts. This book is not easy to read, sometimes it made me want to shout or cry for how some of the characters are treated; the daily disrespect of being black or the ignorance of being a woman… But it’s eye opening on how women, even if they know they are being ignored have their own small battles everyday, small wins that make their lives a little bit easy and less angry with the world. I will not talk of how angry it made me read how the black people are treated, disrespected and used; even if we have progressed a little in the racism issue, it’s still there and sometimes I wonder if we make enough to change it.
This had been a surprising read, slowly burning and impossible to stop reading.
Ready for “The Long Long Afternoon”?
I’ll admit that I was attracted to this book for the cover, it intrigued me… a nice kitchen with some blood on the floor, what happened? Are the owners ok? Who would want to harm them?
Everything will start in 1959, one afternoon in Sunnylakes, this peaceful neighborhood will change forever after the disappearance of one of their residents; a wife, a mother, a friend. The problem is that this neighborhood is like a wasp’s nest, everyone has secrets and is ready to do anything to hide them. That’s why the case will not only be investigated by a detective but the maid of the house, a young black intelligent woman that wants to go to college and have a future.
The story is told between these 3 characters; the detective, Mick, Joyce and Ruby, telling us the views of each character and their thoughts. This book is not easy to read, sometimes it made me want to shout or cry for how some of the characters are treated; the daily disrespect of being black or the ignorance of being a woman… But it’s eye opening on how women, even if they know they are being ignored have their own small battles everyday, small wins that make their lives a little bit easy and less angry with the world. I will not talk of how angry it made me read how the black people are treated, disrespected and used; even if we have progressed a little in the racism issue, it’s still there and sometimes I wonder if we make enough to change it.
This had been a surprising read, slowly burning and impossible to stop reading.
Ready for “The Long Long Afternoon”?
fyre_flies's review
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexism, Racial slurs, Racism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Infidelity, Blood, Child death, War, Drug use, and Police brutality
Minor: Vomit, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Abortion, and Domestic abuse
tatyanarakic's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
ahmeslie's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
angela_p's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
leona28's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
I absolutely loved this book, so much so I devoured it in one day! A brilliant historical fiction book that captures the late 1950s, the role of women, and a mystery combined. It definitely leaves you guessing throughout on what way the book is going to turn.
The Long Long Afternoon is set in the summer of 1959, and the well maintained suburb of Sunnylakes in California. Think stepford wives set-up with everything looking perfect, the peoples lives, "perfect" wife who stays home to mind the chicken, cook and clean, the "perfect" husband whose the breadwinner, a lovely neighborhood where everyone is friends etc. All a little too perfect! Until Joyce Haney, a seemingly happy housewife goes missing, vanishing from her home, only leaving a pool of blood behind and her two terrified children. Her maid Ruby discovers the children all alone and the pool of blood in the house, only to be arrested and questioned by the police. The story then tells the story of the search for the truth of what happened Joyce while also shedding the light on racism and gender inequality at the time.
I loved how the author transported the reader back to the 1950s and connected you with the various characters. Also in different chapters there was different points of view from Joyce's mindset before her disappearance to Ruby ambitions of going to college and the racism she experienced working in the homes if the Sunnylakes families to the detectives life and search for answers. I really enjoyed this mystery and would definitely recommend.
The Long Long Afternoon is set in the summer of 1959, and the well maintained suburb of Sunnylakes in California. Think stepford wives set-up with everything looking perfect, the peoples lives, "perfect" wife who stays home to mind the chicken, cook and clean, the "perfect" husband whose the breadwinner, a lovely neighborhood where everyone is friends etc. All a little too perfect! Until Joyce Haney, a seemingly happy housewife goes missing, vanishing from her home, only leaving a pool of blood behind and her two terrified children. Her maid Ruby discovers the children all alone and the pool of blood in the house, only to be arrested and questioned by the police. The story then tells the story of the search for the truth of what happened Joyce while also shedding the light on racism and gender inequality at the time.
I loved how the author transported the reader back to the 1950s and connected you with the various characters. Also in different chapters there was different points of view from Joyce's mindset before her disappearance to Ruby ambitions of going to college and the racism she experienced working in the homes if the Sunnylakes families to the detectives life and search for answers. I really enjoyed this mystery and would definitely recommend.
rocio_voncina's review against another edition
4.0
Titulo: La sorprendente desaparicion de Joyce Haney
Autor: Inga Vesper
Año publicado: 2021
Motivo de lectura: #DesafioLectura2022 #RetoLecturaAnual
Lectura / Relectura: Lectura
Fisico / Electronico: Electronico
Mi edicion: -
Idioma: Español
Puntuacion: 4/5
No suelo comparar libros, pero al leer este lo asocie con otro me ame muchisimo "Criadas y señoras" de Kathryn Stockett, no podria decir por que, pero "La sorprendente desaparicion de Joyce Haney" automaticamente me recordo a "Criadas y señoras".
La construccion de los personajes es excelente. Hay personajes que adoras (Ruby, Barbara y Mick) y otros que realmente detestas (no puedo nombrar esos personajes porque seria spoiler).
La ambientacion esta muy bien lograda, Vesper captura cada detalle, USA en los años 50, la segregacion, el racismo, las mujeres sometidas que como unico objetivo es tener esposo e hijos. Sin lugar a dudas se nota la investigacion de Vesper para retratar la epoca.
Me hubiera encantado ponerle 5 estrellas a este libro, pero el final lo encontre un poco caotico, la autora intenta desesperadamente que no sepas quien es la persona responsable de lo ocurrido, y es este intento lo que me hizo sentir un poco de caos llegado el final.
Igualmente estamos hablando de una novela debut, y para ser el primer libro de alguien, realmente es muy bueno.
Una mencion especial para los agradecimientos y notas de la autora, leer esas dos partes me hizo pensar que Inga Vesper es una persona muy agradable. La calidez y su manera de agradecer es muy tierna y calida.
Autor: Inga Vesper
Año publicado: 2021
Motivo de lectura: #DesafioLectura2022 #RetoLecturaAnual
Lectura / Relectura: Lectura
Fisico / Electronico: Electronico
Mi edicion: -
Idioma: Español
Puntuacion: 4/5
No suelo comparar libros, pero al leer este lo asocie con otro me ame muchisimo "Criadas y señoras" de Kathryn Stockett, no podria decir por que, pero "La sorprendente desaparicion de Joyce Haney" automaticamente me recordo a "Criadas y señoras".
La construccion de los personajes es excelente. Hay personajes que adoras (Ruby, Barbara y Mick) y otros que realmente detestas (no puedo nombrar esos personajes porque seria spoiler).
La ambientacion esta muy bien lograda, Vesper captura cada detalle, USA en los años 50, la segregacion, el racismo, las mujeres sometidas que como unico objetivo es tener esposo e hijos. Sin lugar a dudas se nota la investigacion de Vesper para retratar la epoca.
Me hubiera encantado ponerle 5 estrellas a este libro, pero el final lo encontre un poco caotico, la autora intenta desesperadamente que no sepas quien es la persona responsable de lo ocurrido, y es este intento lo que me hizo sentir un poco de caos llegado el final.
Igualmente estamos hablando de una novela debut, y para ser el primer libro de alguien, realmente es muy bueno.
Una mencion especial para los agradecimientos y notas de la autora, leer esas dos partes me hizo pensar que Inga Vesper es una persona muy agradable. La calidez y su manera de agradecer es muy tierna y calida.
rasy's review against another edition
5.0
4.8⭐️. Best thriller I’ve read in a long, long time. I grew up alongside Agatha Christie, Nancy Drew, Detective Conan et al., so I pride myself on *usually* being able to predict who did it and why from mileeeees away. However, this book got me badly tangled up in all of its twists! I enjoyed being lost in the snake-y motives until the ultimate revelation