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rosiefpb's review
3.0
Enjoyable audiobook. I confusingly found the story both slow paced and hard to keep up with at times but that's probably my fault for listening inattentively. I finished it on a run and went "OH WHAT" out loud, startling some old dear. Lost a star for that.
archiegitdog's review against another edition
3.0
What was the point of that? Engrossing story with believable characters BUT so many damn plot holes including legal ones and then we don't find out the jury decision...... I love suspension but NOT this one. It was a 4 until the very last word then dropped to a three. I am more frustrated than anything else!
lrncfly's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
adamroberts96's review against another edition
2.75
Starts extremely well before dropping off just before the midway point, it becomes repetitive and the 'reveal' is the point where it becomes clear it won't redeem itself
laurahastoomanywips's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A good solid book.
This was a re-read via audiobook after reading a few years ago for bookclub.
I think the audiobook narrator gave a great performance as "The Defendant", really showing the emotion in the speech and bringing the character to life.
This book really showed how things could go wrong, just one or two wrong moves could mean disaster and how easy it is to fall into gang culture.
I also enjoyed the BBC TV adaptation.
This was a re-read via audiobook after reading a few years ago for bookclub.
I think the audiobook narrator gave a great performance as "The Defendant", really showing the emotion in the speech and bringing the character to life.
This book really showed how things could go wrong, just one or two wrong moves could mean disaster and how easy it is to fall into gang culture.
I also enjoyed the BBC TV adaptation.
bibliophilebookclub's review against another edition
ou Don’t Know Me is one book I’d been waiting to read when I’d heard the buzz surrounding it. Essentially, it is a legal thriller, but it is written in a very unusual style if you were to compare it to others in a similar genre.
We meet the defendant, unnamed, and accused of murder. Having fired his lawyer, he decides to give his own account of what happened. Eight pieces of evidence are used in the case, and the defendant talks the jury, and the reader, through each one.
Told in the first person, using his own colloquialisms, You Don’t Know Me is a very different book. The defendant takes us through how he ended up in the dock accused of murder. His tale is an epic one, with so many different characters being brought into the narrative.
Gang culture, morality and murder are all addressed in the defendants speech. How he got to where he is now is just one of the avenues explored in his testimony. The defendant is the only voice (until the end) and the reader comes to know him a little bit more through every monologue he gives.
You Don’t Know Me is different, and odd, but it is very compelling to read. Did he do it? Why is he there? Ultimately, the reader is left with some unanswered questions but the author has written a very clever novel. It is evident that he comes from a legal background.
Compulsive, clever, and more than a little frustrating at times, You Don’t Know Me is divisive, and definitely one to watch.
Recommended!
We meet the defendant, unnamed, and accused of murder. Having fired his lawyer, he decides to give his own account of what happened. Eight pieces of evidence are used in the case, and the defendant talks the jury, and the reader, through each one.
Told in the first person, using his own colloquialisms, You Don’t Know Me is a very different book. The defendant takes us through how he ended up in the dock accused of murder. His tale is an epic one, with so many different characters being brought into the narrative.
Gang culture, morality and murder are all addressed in the defendants speech. How he got to where he is now is just one of the avenues explored in his testimony. The defendant is the only voice (until the end) and the reader comes to know him a little bit more through every monologue he gives.
You Don’t Know Me is different, and odd, but it is very compelling to read. Did he do it? Why is he there? Ultimately, the reader is left with some unanswered questions but the author has written a very clever novel. It is evident that he comes from a legal background.
Compulsive, clever, and more than a little frustrating at times, You Don’t Know Me is divisive, and definitely one to watch.
Recommended!
gordonk's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this book up from the library having no knowledge of the book or author. I just had a feeling about it. I am so glad I made that call. This book was so compelling that I felt as though I was living it. Every word had me captivated. Imran Mahmood is definitely the one to watch!
vanya_vatsal's review
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
taygus's review against another edition
3.0
2.5, Plenty of flaws but I liked it well enough.
Audiobook*
My first problem with the book is that most closing speeches are 2 hours long, but I would've been fine with an almost 8 hour speech...if it was 1, maybe 2 court days... Instead we're told its over 10 days... did he say more we didn't get to hear? what happened, why were the days so short?
Second problem is there's no way any judge would've let the accused ramble on like this. And he did ramble.
He also swore alot, and by the end, didn't even apologize for it.
Lastly that end
It was a lil predictable, about a third of the way I was already thinking
What I did like tho was the authors skill in making the main character and life feel real from whats mainly a monologue.
I liked the accent choice. And I liked the message that many people don't choose the gang life, they get trapped into it.
It was more street life than court room drama, tho.
The audiobook was well read.
Audiobook*
My first problem with the book is that most closing speeches are 2 hours long, but I would've been fine with an almost 8 hour speech...if it was 1, maybe 2 court days... Instead we're told its over 10 days... did he say more we didn't get to hear? what happened, why were the days so short?
Second problem is there's no way any judge would've let the accused ramble on like this. And he did ramble.
He also swore alot, and by the end, didn't even apologize for it.
Lastly that end
Spoiler
MI5, really? I mean gosh, they coulve went with Keira being part of an upcoming gang and wanting to clear the competition...not the goverment setting him up. Unless of course the main character is telling us lies.It was a lil predictable, about a third of the way I was already thinking
Spoiler
that it was the girlWhat I did like tho was the authors skill in making the main character and life feel real from whats mainly a monologue.
I liked the accent choice. And I liked the message that many people don't choose the gang life, they get trapped into it.
It was more street life than court room drama, tho.
The audiobook was well read.