Reviews

The Talented Miss Farwell by Emily Gray Tedrowe

nicole_marissa's review against another edition

2.0

It was okay, the book reads like a news article, just information organized in chronological order. There's no real emotion from the characters and the story seemed flat.

liakeller's review against another edition

3.0

Interesting first half and then it seemed to drag for me, but I still enjoyed the premise.

bardo's review against another edition

3.0

How much does it cost to live the life you fantasize about? For Becky, it takes a lot of money to keep up her Collector lifestyle, which means she must find ways that are not legal to keep her lifestyle. The Talented Miss Farwell illustrates how fine the line there is between being a model citizen and a criminal. It deconstructs what it means to embezzle from a business and give an insight on blue collar criminals minds. Tedrowe makes Becky a some what relatable protagonist but ultimately falls short.. Becky is an insecure and ordinary character that does have growth development throughout the book but not enough to make her interesting to follow. The plot dragged and often left the reader wondering when the excitement of criminal deeds was going to happen. The supporting characters are interchangeable and unmemorable. There was no urgency in the pace nor in wanting Becky to succeed in her double life. Everything feel flat and strained to give life to a lifeless story and character.

jillmwald's review against another edition

2.0

I think I was supposed to like the main character but I really didn't. This had an interesting concept but it just dragged on with very repetitive events happening over and over. Becky was just not likable and I couldn't figure out what exactly drove her. Did she have an obsession? Was she trying to be someone else? I only finished it by doing major skimming to find out what happened in the end. And even then, I didn't really care.
I received this book in advance via Netgalley for which I'm appreciative.

lysettedavi's review against another edition

4.0

This book flew by for me. I loved this story and that it was set in the 90s. I was rooting for the character to be okay in the end. I was surprised at the ending despite other reviewers who said this book was predictable. Books usually don’t end end tightly kept, and the fact that this one explained exactly what happened to Becky/Reba was what surprised me. I love how the changes in technology changed what Becky could do/needed to protect.

clsl's review against another edition

dark sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

High concept but execution isn't there for me. Not sure how Becky/Reba would charm anyone. Smarts and a gift for art are not the same as having charisma.

Also, doesn't anyone vote for mayor or comptroller in this town?

visual_eyes's review against another edition

lovable character; its complicated indeed. something about becky in that unguarded opening just seems so gritty and admirable, that seeing the way she grows up to that midpoint is pretty satisfying. again that obsessive itch comes through, draws fascination to paint her profile and in retrospect im in wonder

anadefariaz's review against another edition

informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A

3.0

overbooked_va's review against another edition

mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

If Leslie Knope was embezzling Pawnee to finance an intense addiction to collecting art, you’d have The Talented Miss Farwell. With a diabolical “heroine” who you find yourself rooting for, forgetting she is truly villainous, The Talented Miss Farwell obviously owes a great deal to Highsmith but also Catch Me If You Can. The glimpses into the high stakes world of art collectors are illuminating. And while the book is ostensibly a thriller, it’s also a treatise on greed, capitalism, class, and creativity. Becky Farwell is a shark in the water, only showing emotion when  she’s close to being caught or when she’s captured by a new potential acquisition. Art only moves her in regards to how it helps her attain more power, notoriety, and wealth.  She’s despicable but fascinating, a sociopath next door. 

amyschlott's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25