kkop12's review against another edition
3.0
So it was ok. I was expecting more. Liked the setting and the characters were interesting. What I didn't love was the mom. And how she didn't mother. And the ending. Not even sure what it meant. I have to go and see what others thought. But it was very human. The flaws were out there in the open and you still liked most of the characters.
lilyseifert's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
janice_sumka's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
arolyn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
cvanhorn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.75
isabeel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Despite the numerous typos I found in the book which really bothered me, I enjoyed the way it was written. It often feels very tv-show-esque I guess given that she is a television show writer but it worked for this particular story and I could see it being adapted for the movies too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia and Rape
sophiesbookshelf09's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wendoxford's review against another edition
5.0
I adored this book. Whilst reading, minor weak spots kept kicking around in my head, but I chose to ignore them as I sank into this layered compelling novel.
One day in a life, a decision making day - with a whole life clinging to every fleshy part of it. The book is broken up into the different key players yet without any change of perspective. This is Elle's life and she she just separates out some strands so the reader can absorb nuances of her headspace through flashback, memories, personalities, secrets and a general accrual of life's detritus. This creates both an intriguing and compulsive impetus alongside a sense of place that conjurs up so much more than just backdrop. The Cape, the backwoods, the lake, the beach are truly core to the narrative.
I enjoyed sitting amongst these beautifully holistic characters. It takes a considered hand for the reader to be able to recognize each person by brief comments, actions and looks without attribution. Similarly we get so far into Elle's head that we understand her reading of and reaction to family behaviour despite what she actually shows.
There are so many issues around which this book revolves yet it balances upon choices made and how life continues to speed on as we are still making up our mind about our guilt and our pasts. The robust exterior of the "paper palace" masks interior delapidation and dusty memories much like the residents.
One day in a life, a decision making day - with a whole life clinging to every fleshy part of it. The book is broken up into the different key players yet without any change of perspective. This is Elle's life and she she just separates out some strands so the reader can absorb nuances of her headspace through flashback, memories, personalities, secrets and a general accrual of life's detritus. This creates both an intriguing and compulsive impetus alongside a sense of place that conjurs up so much more than just backdrop. The Cape, the backwoods, the lake, the beach are truly core to the narrative.
I enjoyed sitting amongst these beautifully holistic characters. It takes a considered hand for the reader to be able to recognize each person by brief comments, actions and looks without attribution. Similarly we get so far into Elle's head that we understand her reading of and reaction to family behaviour despite what she actually shows.
There are so many issues around which this book revolves yet it balances upon choices made and how life continues to speed on as we are still making up our mind about our guilt and our pasts. The robust exterior of the "paper palace" masks interior delapidation and dusty memories much like the residents.
ameliaj_adams's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-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
2.5
This was a really beautifully written book which tackled some really dark themes. This isn’t normally the kind of book that I’d go for (hence the lower rating) and I initially struggled to get into it, however I can definitely see the appeal for others. I struggled to connect and relate to the characters (though this may be because I’m not the target audience) however the setting was very vividly imagined and described beautifully, and the book had an interesting structure that kept me reading, as the narrator continues to switch back and forth between her childhood and life leading up to the present, and the present day itself. The ending was a little underwhelming, but all in all it was an okay read, and one that I can understand why it is so popular.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Sexual content, Rape, Infidelity, Incest, Death, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Infertility
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Suicide