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abbie_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0
Thanks to Fitzcarraldo Editions for my free review copy of this one! Even if it did take me a year and a half to finally pick it up 👀 This book is certainly an intimidating one, translated from the French, clocking in at 500 pages with lengthy, run-on sentences and few paragraph breaks. I can’t lie, it’s a struggle to get going with it but once you do - once you do, it’s like you’re under a spell. It didn’t need to be 500 pages, but I’m not mad that it is. The book covers barely half a day of action, with some exposition to the characters’ backgrounds, and the tension is exquisite.
It revolves around a birthday party planned by Patrice Bourgogne for his wife, in an attempt to salvage their failing marriage. Invited are their daughter Ida, their next door neighbour Christine, and two of Marion’s work friends. Not invited are the three men who rock up to the hamlet and take the partygoers hostage. If I’ve ever been tempted by rural living, this book has put me off. This sort of thing would never happen in the suburbs with those curtain-twitching old ladies, god bless them.
It’s not a perfect book but it is quite extraordinary. It wasn’t until reading some other reviews that I remembered there is an unsolved plot point which didn’t bother me (too taken aback by the dénouement), but now feels irritating as it WAS an interesting little mystery and I wanna know what happened there! But if you’re up for a challenge and enjoy a literary thriller, then definitely consider The Birthday Party.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Gun violence, Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder
Please note the dog death is really brutal. Take care.gingerhoneycitrus's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
A near perfect slow burn. Reminded me of funny games, but better!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Sexual violence