leah_shearer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
aislina's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book is a fictionalised retelling of the Jonestown event and the 10 or so years that preceded it so - watch out for that
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Death
Minor: Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Drug use
darcyynic's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
acresofclams's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Gets an E for effort, and a nod for the chutzpah it took to attempt to tell this story.
sofawalrus's review against another edition
5.0
I had heard a lot about this book before I spontaneously decided to pick it up at the book store the other day. From what I had read about it, with next to no existing knowledge of Jim Jones or the Peoples Temple, I expected to be intrigued. And I absolutely was.
At first, though, I did feel some sense of being marketed to. As a character - strong-willed, politically opinionated and cynical - Evelyn initially seemed a little too conveniently relatable, the epitome of my own social circle. Yet, as the story moves into her involvement with Jones, the evolution of her thought processes is terrifying. She is far from invulnerable, as her initial attitude led me to believe. Given the right circumstances, this could happen to my best friend. This could happen to me.
While the novel does bounce about a fair bit between narrative perspectives, Woollett has balanced these just so to masterfully tell her story. I could see the business confusing some readers, particularly those reading at a slower pace, although I feel I was sufficiently engrossed to keep track of things. Outside work and the demands of everyday life, I was absolutely glued to this book. It is one of those that demands outright to be read.
As Woollett mentions in her Author's Note, the story was informed by real people and events, and it is clear that her research has been meticulous. While extremely tragic, Jonestown as a part of modern history is darkly interesting, and I am eager to follow up on Woollett's non-fiction recommendations at the end of the book.
At first, though, I did feel some sense of being marketed to. As a character - strong-willed, politically opinionated and cynical - Evelyn initially seemed a little too conveniently relatable, the epitome of my own social circle. Yet, as the story moves into her involvement with Jones, the evolution of her thought processes is terrifying. She is far from invulnerable, as her initial attitude led me to believe. Given the right circumstances, this could happen to my best friend. This could happen to me.
While the novel does bounce about a fair bit between narrative perspectives, Woollett has balanced these just so to masterfully tell her story. I could see the business confusing some readers, particularly those reading at a slower pace, although I feel I was sufficiently engrossed to keep track of things. Outside work and the demands of everyday life, I was absolutely glued to this book. It is one of those that demands outright to be read.
As Woollett mentions in her Author's Note, the story was informed by real people and events, and it is clear that her research has been meticulous. While extremely tragic, Jonestown as a part of modern history is darkly interesting, and I am eager to follow up on Woollett's non-fiction recommendations at the end of the book.
genccb's review against another edition
4.0
First half of the book 5 stars, then it tapered. If you don’t know anything about Jonestown you will be very confused, google before reading!
rikki_jade's review against another edition
3.0
I am sorry to say that I did NOT enjoy this like I thought I would have. I was confused often and bored sometimes. Occasionally I was intrigued and many times I enjoyed the poetic prose but overall it wasn't the 'thrilling' portrayal of an infamous cult for me. I didn't find the cult leader's 'charisma' convincing, and I felt no suspense in regard to the ending. Maybe I should have had different expectations? Maybe I should have prepared myself with more background knowledge? Alas, it didn't live up to the hype for me.
elliedangelo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0