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sngsweelian's review
4.0
It's been so long since I read Anita Shreve and I am kicking myself now for not reading more of her books! This one is another wonderful read -- heart-rending in the same way mothers and teachers and those who deal with teenagers often feel when these immature youngsters make decisions that make you wonder "Why? Why? Why?". Some of the adults in this book are not paragons of virtue too but that's why Shreve is such a brilliant writer. She presents our human frailties in a sensitive and thoughtful manner and you get very drawn to the characters. 4.5 stars from me.
jmrkls1's review against another edition
4.0
Tragic in so many ways. I liked the varying perspectives of all who were involved.
readingbecomesme's review against another edition
1.0
I am not sure what I disliked about his book more, the lack of writing, the missed character developments or the predictability. So many reviews called it a page turner but I don't see it.
Normally I love a story using alternating characters in each chapter. However in this story the characters voices are so intentionally made different that it was distracting and annoying. I especially hated the Ellen chapters and how she talked about herself away.
I would not recommend this book nor would I pass it along.
Normally I love a story using alternating characters in each chapter. However in this story the characters voices are so intentionally made different that it was distracting and annoying. I especially hated the Ellen chapters and how she talked about herself away.
I would not recommend this book nor would I pass it along.
mwd's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting look at the impact of a chain of events and the lives effected by it. A tragic story that ends with a breath of hope.
maryanneross's review against another edition
4.0
Very fast-paced, the subject matter is contemporary and holds the reader's interest. The characters reveal themselves in their testimonies of the event and events surrounding or leading up to the scandal. Through their voices, they make you love them, hate them, feel sorry for them, or perhaps even relate to them. Shreve chooses a creative vehicle for telling the story. One lesson to be learned is that one poor lapse of judgment can change the course of lives.
birdwatching's review against another edition
3.0
“A single action can cause a life to veer off in a direction it was never meant to go." This quote, along with frequent mention of the dangers of black ice in the story's Vermont setting, sum up the message of the book - the way that a single, unforseen incident can cause lives, and whole communities to spin out of control (it is also a frequent theme of Anita Shreve's books and one I enjoy reading). I thought this theme was well developed through the book, from the multiple testimonies of all the players centrally and peripherally linked in to the incident (a sex scandal at a private boarding school). As much as I enjoyed this book, it was undermined for me by the fact that the girl at the centre of the scandal, unlike the boys, was very undeveloped and came across as a pure plot device. Given the subject matter, this was problematic.
pinkvogue's review
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
annies1's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very good audiobook. There were several actors who were the different characters and that made it very nice to listen to. It also gave you the ability to " see" the characters. This book was about a sex scandal on a private school campus. It was not lewd, except for the initial telling of the incident. The subject matter is of such importance in today's world and it was fascinating to see how the different characters were affected by one night of lewd behavior, in ways that I would never have imagined. Good story for all parents and teens.
msladyreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Cursing and Vomit
shylfgoe's review
DNF
I did not like any characters, which I think was something necessary to root for some of them in a story like this, but it made me had no emotions while reading it and I just wanted to finish the book quickly..
There were also misogynistic moments which were!!!! Obviously!!!! Unpleasant!!!!!!
I did not like any characters, which I think was something necessary to root for some of them in a story like this, but it made me had no emotions while reading it and I just wanted to finish the book quickly..
There were also misogynistic moments which were!!!! Obviously!!!! Unpleasant!!!!!!