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zeevee93's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Jane Harper’s The Dry is a masterclass in atmospheric tension and a vivid portrayal of life in rural Australia. The narrative pulls you in with its unrelenting grip, leaving you both satisfied and unsettled—a testament to Harper’s extraordinary writing.
From the very first page, the prose is strikingly real and relatable, almost to an unsettling degree. Her depiction of the drought-ravaged landscape isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a character in itself, mirroring the desolation and secrets buried within the small-town community. Having lived through one of the worst droughts of the 21st century on a remote property in southwest Queensland, I found Harper’s portrayal of the setting eerily accurate. It resonated deeply, bringing back memories of the harsh, unforgiving land and the tight-knit, sometimes suffocating, dynamics of small-town life.
Harper’s writing is so believable that it verges on the Uncanny Valley. You know you’re reading fiction, yet the characters and their world feel so real, so lived-in, that you can’t help but feel a little uneasy. It’s this blend of authenticity and psychological depth that makes The Dry not just a compelling mystery, but a deeply immersive experience.
One of the more unique aspects of Harper’s writing is her seamless integration of flashbacks. These glimpses into the past are not only essential to the plot but are woven into the narrative with such finesse that they feel like natural extensions of the present. The flashbacks add layers to the story, offering deeper insights into the characters and the events that shaped them, all while maintaining the novel’s relentless pace.
The story’s conclusion is both fitting and unnerving. While the mystery is unraveled with skill, Harper doesn’t tie everything up with a neat bow. The sense of justice remains elusive, leaving you with a lingering feeling of discomfort—almost as if resolution was within reach but ultimately slipped away. This lack of closure, though unsettling, is perfectly in tune with the novel’s themes of isolation, guilt, and the long shadows cast by the past.
Despite the heavy hype surrounding this novel, it more than lives up to expectations. The Dry isn’t just the best book I’ve read this year—it’s a haunting exploration of human nature that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. Harper has set a new standard for crime fiction, and I can’t wait to read more of her work.
Graphic: Child abuse, Gun violence, Rape, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Misogyny and Grief
wandering_canuck's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I read this in one sitting. I was captivated from the opening sentence to the last word. I picked up this book only because it was a prompt for a reading challenge and I expect it to make my top 10 of 2024.
Exceptional writing. Harper builds a vivid landscape, where the
This is how a mystery-thriller should be written. The story was well fleshed out. Harper avoids the pitfalls of convenience and coincidence to make the story fit the outcome. Two whodunits within one novel, and both told in a way that left you guessing until the end. Though there are no loose ends left to be tied up, I never once felt I was being led by the hand. Her writing kept me engaged and I happily buckled in to ride out the story until the very end.
This book was simply brilliant and would make a great book club read. I'll definitely pick up another of her novels. She has me hooked!
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Sexual assault, Suicide, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
mels_reading_log's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Blood, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
magca's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Alcoholism and Animal death
amberinbookland's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Self harm