rachelp's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked the characters in this book. Most of the characters were both likable and unlikable, which made them seem very real. Aunt Cilla was only unlikable, which also added realness to the story. (Because there are always unlikable people in this world). I enjoyed the progression of the story from Lulu and Merry's childhood through their adulthood. I wished a different ending for Merry, though.
nonersays's review against another edition
4.0
I won this book here at goodreads, and once I started reading it it really did suck me in.
I did not like the way the time kept jumping forward in such huge slices. We saw the sisters change, but never saw how the BIG changes happened.
Also, the POV switched between the sisters, but their voice was pretty much the same. It was hard to feel them as being different people.
I did not like the way the time kept jumping forward in such huge slices. We saw the sisters change, but never saw how the BIG changes happened.
Also, the POV switched between the sisters, but their voice was pretty much the same. It was hard to feel them as being different people.
lindseyjo's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. I will definitely be keeping this book to re-read.
The sisters broke my heart repeatedly; rarely have I ever felt so helpless as a reader, or have so desperately wanted to help fictional characters. I think the book is written beautifully and both Merry and Lulu are real, flawed, and frustrating, at times. I would have been happy to continue reading, though the ending does wrap everything up nicely.
I find it remarkable that our past may define our present more than we would like to allow, and yet - many are able to put themselves on a different path anyway. Recommend this book, most definitely.
The sisters broke my heart repeatedly; rarely have I ever felt so helpless as a reader, or have so desperately wanted to help fictional characters. I think the book is written beautifully and both Merry and Lulu are real, flawed, and frustrating, at times. I would have been happy to continue reading, though the ending does wrap everything up nicely.
I find it remarkable that our past may define our present more than we would like to allow, and yet - many are able to put themselves on a different path anyway. Recommend this book, most definitely.
lorihenrich2021's review against another edition
3.0
This was a bit slow for me at the beginning. I was wondering how the story would proceed. It brought to mind the reality that children in this situation have to live with. The stigma that can be leveled on their lives because of something an adult did. I will never understand the cruelty that adults inflict on children every day. It was interesting the way the author created two different scenarios for the girls. I am sure there are hundreds more. It was difficult to see the pain that flowed through the girls lives year after year. Felt the story, though fiction, was probably close to reality for some survivors of violence.
acas29's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book. I didn't find Merry as relatable as Lulu. I was frustrated that Merry wanted to be part of her father's life after everything he did and that her father had little to no remorse about his actions. Overall I enjoyed the book.
tomora's review against another edition
3.0
I think as educated as they got my didn't they get help.
fxtrtr's review
5.0
Merry and Lulu - their lives were changed forever when their father killed their mother. This is the story of how each one dealt with and at times not dealt with their truth. They also show that time does not heal all wounds.
evelyn_mosby's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Book was a bit too long, it could've been shortened and more condensed but still enjoyable.
anrobe's review against another edition
2.0
I had such big hopes for this book and ultimately felt a bit disappointed. It's a okay book but it is not a great one. The concept behind the book was really interesting and gave the author a huge amount of content to work with.
What I liked most about this novel is the characters - although not particularly likeable - they were well written, complex and felt real to me. They transformed into people for me rather than just characters on a page. They are honestly what kept me reading.
Much of the actual plot was just okay for me. There were times when I had to force myself to keep reading when I would have rather read something else I had been reading. There were also times when I couldn't put the book down (most of that was in the later sections of the book). It was just uneven for me. That is part of the reason that I'm so conflicted about the novel in its entirety. There were moments that were great, but as a whole, it fell short of great.
I am not sure that I can adequately describe the overall feeling that this novel brought up in me. As someone who worked with in human services for years as a counselor and social worker, I had hoped that this story (given its very nature) would come alive for me. But, it just didn't. It felt, at times, to be over dramatized and over blown. There were aspects of the story that felt contrived in some way. As a result of all of this, I just didn't connect with the story as I'd hoped.
However, it is a good book in terms of helping you understand what it must be like to have one of your parents kill your other parent. To be "The Murderer's Daughters" for the rest of your life. To try and grow up 'normal' when your life is so abnormal as a result of something outside of yourself. The author did a good job of showing the reader what it might feel like to be in that situation.
All in all, this was a okay read, albeit a slow one. It wasn't one of those exciting, can't put it down kind of books. But, it does create compelling characters and situations. I wouldn't generally recommend this one unless the subject matter is particularly interesting to you. Given how many other great books there are out there, I'm not sure I can honestly recommend this one otherwise.
What I liked most about this novel is the characters - although not particularly likeable - they were well written, complex and felt real to me. They transformed into people for me rather than just characters on a page. They are honestly what kept me reading.
Much of the actual plot was just okay for me. There were times when I had to force myself to keep reading when I would have rather read something else I had been reading. There were also times when I couldn't put the book down (most of that was in the later sections of the book). It was just uneven for me. That is part of the reason that I'm so conflicted about the novel in its entirety. There were moments that were great, but as a whole, it fell short of great.
I am not sure that I can adequately describe the overall feeling that this novel brought up in me. As someone who worked with in human services for years as a counselor and social worker, I had hoped that this story (given its very nature) would come alive for me. But, it just didn't. It felt, at times, to be over dramatized and over blown. There were aspects of the story that felt contrived in some way. As a result of all of this, I just didn't connect with the story as I'd hoped.
However, it is a good book in terms of helping you understand what it must be like to have one of your parents kill your other parent. To be "The Murderer's Daughters" for the rest of your life. To try and grow up 'normal' when your life is so abnormal as a result of something outside of yourself. The author did a good job of showing the reader what it might feel like to be in that situation.
All in all, this was a okay read, albeit a slow one. It wasn't one of those exciting, can't put it down kind of books. But, it does create compelling characters and situations. I wouldn't generally recommend this one unless the subject matter is particularly interesting to you. Given how many other great books there are out there, I'm not sure I can honestly recommend this one otherwise.
tiffanyrbrewer's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. It didn't end the way that I expected it to, which I guess is okay, but I was really waiting for something to happen that didn't. And the drama of the "hostage" situation was the wrong type of drama to add to the book. Also did not appreciate the seemingly constant politics thrown in for no reason.