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paradise_library's review
4.0
When a book deals with tough subjects, it always runs the risk of focusing too much on the trauma and not enough on the characters. If I Let You Go manages to be character driven, whilst covering sensitive topics with sympathy and knowledge.
Janet is average. She is not a heroine, or particularly memorable and is just trying her best to survive after the death of her daughter. We warm to her because of her suffering, but as we get to know her more, we see that her grief has perhaps stopped her from living. Her husband Colin is controlling and unsympathetic, yet he genuinely seems oblivious to his behaviour; he doesn’t deserve to be pitied, but it is hard to hate him, when he too is grieving.
When fate intervenes and Janet becomes famous, their relationship changes. Colin is still a nasty piece of work, but there are glimpses into a time when they were in love, which helps us to understand them both better. It’s hard not to be frustrated with Janet for her behaviour, particularly all of the lies, but given the circumstances it’s understandable and we can only feel sorry for her as she projects her grief about Claire onto Mia and Robbie’s daughter. I would have liked a bit more about Nish, as her part felt lacking and she was a great character, but generally characterisations were good and Levin’s writing is compelling and very readable.
Some of the story felt a little unbelievable (and I did want to throw the book across the room at times), but overall I really enjoyed it and the ending is satisfactory, without being contrived.
Janet is average. She is not a heroine, or particularly memorable and is just trying her best to survive after the death of her daughter. We warm to her because of her suffering, but as we get to know her more, we see that her grief has perhaps stopped her from living. Her husband Colin is controlling and unsympathetic, yet he genuinely seems oblivious to his behaviour; he doesn’t deserve to be pitied, but it is hard to hate him, when he too is grieving.
When fate intervenes and Janet becomes famous, their relationship changes. Colin is still a nasty piece of work, but there are glimpses into a time when they were in love, which helps us to understand them both better. It’s hard not to be frustrated with Janet for her behaviour, particularly all of the lies, but given the circumstances it’s understandable and we can only feel sorry for her as she projects her grief about Claire onto Mia and Robbie’s daughter. I would have liked a bit more about Nish, as her part felt lacking and she was a great character, but generally characterisations were good and Levin’s writing is compelling and very readable.
Some of the story felt a little unbelievable (and I did want to throw the book across the room at times), but overall I really enjoyed it and the ending is satisfactory, without being contrived.
liamccormack's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bengatley's review
emotional
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.0
suehepworth's review
3.5
Thriller. Quite good.
Daughter dies as teen-ager. Mother doesn't get over it and claims to have rescued a young girl in a train crash. Lies...
Daughter dies as teen-ager. Mother doesn't get over it and claims to have rescued a young girl in a train crash. Lies...
claredesausmarez's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
livres_de_bloss's review
2.0
2.5
I really enjoyed “If I Can’t Have You” so I was super keen to find this book in the shop last week. Unfortunately, it widely missed the mark for me.
The whole book has a manic, anxious vibe. It was difficult to get immersed in it as it had such a relentlessly unpleasant undercurrent. This was exacerbated by utterly loathsome characters. I like Nish most but everyone else was… awful. I didn’t see the purported charm to Janet… she needed extensive therapy and an intervention. Her actions in the book were very warped and I found her lies and actions difficult to stomach. She could be cruel (her actions toward Mary illustrate this well) and I found her so difficult to empathize with or like.
Colin was a caricature, stereotypical, a villain. His character wasn’t nuanced or complex which made Janet’s situation (and how she found herself there) even more baffling. Mia and Robbie were vacuous and the fast and furious dynamics between the couples seemed inauthentic given the circumstances of how they all met.
As above, I liked Nish. Despite how Janet treated her, she always tried to include, support, and be there for her.
The book was fast but I didn’t enjoy reading it. Disappointingly, I had most of it figured out early on too. It’s a real shame, I was expecting another banger like the author’s first book. I grow increasingly disenfranchised with thrillers; so many seem geared toward parents and totally miss the mark for me.
I really enjoyed “If I Can’t Have You” so I was super keen to find this book in the shop last week. Unfortunately, it widely missed the mark for me.
The whole book has a manic, anxious vibe. It was difficult to get immersed in it as it had such a relentlessly unpleasant undercurrent. This was exacerbated by utterly loathsome characters. I like Nish most but everyone else was… awful. I didn’t see the purported charm to Janet… she needed extensive therapy and an intervention. Her actions in the book were very warped and I found her lies and actions difficult to stomach. She could be cruel (her actions toward Mary illustrate this well) and I found her so difficult to empathize with or like.
Colin was a caricature, stereotypical, a villain. His character wasn’t nuanced or complex which made Janet’s situation (and how she found herself there) even more baffling. Mia and Robbie were vacuous and the fast and furious dynamics between the couples seemed inauthentic given the circumstances of how they all met.
As above, I liked Nish. Despite how Janet treated her, she always tried to include, support, and be there for her.
The book was fast but I didn’t enjoy reading it. Disappointingly, I had most of it figured out early on too. It’s a real shame, I was expecting another banger like the author’s first book. I grow increasingly disenfranchised with thrillers; so many seem geared toward parents and totally miss the mark for me.
rachiereadsbooks90's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bookwormbecky's review against another edition
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
sarah1001's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sineadhg's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Suicide