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staghunters's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Not the genre I go to most of the time, but Dicker surely knows how to write a compelling murder mystery.
The first thought that comes to mind is the resemblance with Twin Peaks. Not only in the murder of a teenage girl, but particularly in the focus on the small town and the people in it. As the book progresses and we come to know a bit more about Nola Kellergan, the threads that connect her to various side characters.
Marcus, however, is not a good-natured Dale Cooper. His bloated ego shines through till well into the second act, where an incident confronts him with his fame-seeking nature. Though a change in character is not dramatic, he does improve in smaller ways.
The plot has an interesting structure. The chapters count down instead of up, Marcus' storyline is intercut with scenes that take the place of someone's monologue, and what seems to be the end actually isn't.
The latter is also one of my critiques of the book. It is quite slow-paced for all but the last 2 or 3 chapters. Here, the events really rake up and gain speed. It answers questions, sure, but in my opinion, there were a bit too many rug-pulls. Maybe they will make more sense on a reread.
This certainly made me curious about Dicker's other books.
The first thought that comes to mind is the resemblance with Twin Peaks. Not only in the murder of a teenage girl, but particularly in the focus on the small town and the people in it. As the book progresses and we come to know a bit more about Nola Kellergan, the threads that connect her to various side characters.
Marcus, however, is not a good-natured Dale Cooper. His bloated ego shines through till well into the second act, where an incident confronts him with his fame-seeking nature. Though a change in character is not dramatic, he does improve in smaller ways.
The plot has an interesting structure. The chapters count down instead of up, Marcus' storyline is intercut with scenes that take the place of someone's monologue, and what seems to be the end actually isn't.
The latter is also one of my critiques of the book. It is quite slow-paced for all but the last 2 or 3 chapters. Here, the events really rake up and gain speed. It answers questions, sure, but in my opinion, there were a bit too many rug-pulls. Maybe they will make more sense on a reread.
This certainly made me curious about Dicker's other books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Mental illness and Racism
ly_lysee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, and Murder
Moderate: Ableism and Pedophilia
btrz7's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.5
Don't know what I just read.
I feel like most of the characters were these stereotype/charicature mesh, with absolutely absurd details about some of the side characters. In the end, all of the twists and turns at the end weren't enough to convince me, as I felt it was just taking too long.
I feel like most of the characters were these stereotype/charicature mesh, with absolutely absurd details about some of the side characters. In the end, all of the twists and turns at the end weren't enough to convince me, as I felt it was just taking too long.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual assault, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Fire/Fire injury
bibi_08's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Murder, and Toxic friendship
jazful's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
5.0
I couldn't stop reading! I didn't see all the plot twists coming, although with other mystery novels I actually figure out what it's about very quickly. This book was just completely different. Probably the best mystery novel I've ever read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Toxic friendship
ging090803's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
2.5
I felt terrible giving it only 2 stars that's why I gave the 2.5 stars.
Honestly, I understand the idea. It was a great idea. The plot is good... But oh men, it was so long. I am sure the mysterious death of Nola could have been solved way faster than that. I don't understand why, all book long, we had a suspect then no suspect then too many suspects, etc etc. We were circling around everything for 800 pages. I'm sure I would have loved how it was written (between present and past from the author's POV) normally but not this time. It was only confusing and eternal.
If someone wants a recommendation from me, I will say that there are other great mystery books before this one...
Honestly, I understand the idea. It was a great idea. The plot is good... But oh men, it was so long. I am sure the mysterious death of Nola could have been solved way faster than that. I don't understand why, all book long, we had a suspect then no suspect then too many suspects, etc etc. We were circling around everything for 800 pages. I'm sure I would have loved how it was written (between present and past from the author's POV) normally but not this time. It was only confusing and eternal.
If someone wants a recommendation from me, I will say that there are other great mystery books before this one...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content and Car accident
hanyentreletras's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Este libro pudo ser de cinco estrellas sino fuese por ese inicio tan... soso y por algunas cosas del final (que por más que son increíbles y sorprendentes, no terminan de cuadrar al 100%). Y eso me molesta un poco.
«Si los escritores son seres tan frágiles, Marcus, es porque pueden conocer dos clases de dolor afectivo, es decir, el doble que los seres humanos normales: las penas de amor y las penas de libro. Escribir un libro es como amar a alguien: puede ser muy doloroso».
Primeramente me enorgullece decir que mis primeros sospechosos fueron los culpables, eso sí, mi teoría del por qué fue la que falló.
Algo que disfruté bastante fue el nacimiento de la amistad entre Marcus y el sargento Gahalowood, ese cariño sarcástico entre ambos 😙🤌
Also quedé maravillada por la estupidez de la gente del pueblo de no agarrar el libro y ver que todo lo que pasaba en él en cierta parte contaba cosas de Nola y Harry (jejejeje🤐🤭).
—¡Por Dios, Nola! ¿Por qué querer morir? —No es querer morir —dijo Nola—. Es no querer seguir viviendo.
feel u Nola.
«Aprenda a amar sus derrotas, Marcus, pues son las que le construirán. Son sus derrotas las que darán sabor a sus victorias».
A lo largo del libro, Harry le da muchos consejos a Marcus, más que todo para escribir pero creo que ellos pueden usarse para la vida en sí, como el anterior.
Antes de la agresión, decía que pintaba porque estaba dentro de él. Cuando se recuperó por fin, decía que pintaba para estar menos solo.
En este libro, todos los personajes que aparecen son importantes. Si bien Luther es alguien raro, la historia de su personaje es preciosa. Es un artista que lo tenía todo y en un segundo, por estar en un mal lugar, lo perdió. Sin embargo, el arte fue lo que lo mantuvo con vida y propósito.
...Un buen libro, Marcus, es un libro que uno se arrepiente de terminar».
Y que final!!!! Fue un torbellino de sorpresas, de incógnitas respondidas desde todas las versiones. Magnífico. Sé que es un buen libro porque, así como Harry le dice a Marcus, no me arrepiento de leerlo.
Acá todos son sospechosos, todo es una hipótesis porque es algo que alguien dijo no un hecho en concreto. El libro abre con la premisa de saber quién mató a Nola pero luego ese punto no importa tanto, solo queremos saber qué pasó ese 30 de agosto y antes y después.
Es un libro que recomendaré mucho y pediré videos cuando lleguen al final jajajs
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Police brutality, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
jonathanovd's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Pedophilia, and Murder
radgirl_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
callmeluh's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
1.0
Unpopular opinion: j’ai détesté ce livre.
Déjà j’ai détesté le fait que l’auteur cherche à nous faire apprécier un pedocriminel. Parce que c’est ce qu’est Harry Quebert, et parfois j’ai eu le sentiment qu’on cherchait à nous faire oublier ce détail. Il aurait pu être le père de Nola bordel.
Les personnages féminins sont tellement mal traités dans ce livre. Outre le fait qu’elles n’aient aucune personnalité et que l’ensemble de leurs conversations se rapportent aux hommes de leur vie, elle sont sexualisées au possible et passent plus pour des objets que de réels êtres humains.
D’ailleurs, l’ensemble des personnages sont détestables. Ils sont tous égocentriques et vivent dans leur petit monde sans se soucier le moins du monde des autres. Bien sûr, le personnage principal (dont j’ai déjà oublié le nom d’ailleurs) arrive en tête de cette liste.
Si j’ai été très intéressé.e par l’enquête aux débuts du livre, je me suis vite senti.e perdu.e : l’auteur part dans tous les sens, beaucoup trop de choses se passent et parfois elles n’ont aucune logique.
Bref, je sais que je ne lis habituellement pas tout ce qui est thriller/polar, mais je ne m’attendais pas à accrocher aussi peu. Je sais que c’est le premier tome d’une série, mais je m’arrêterai là. J’ai réussi à lire ce livre en 5 jours, ce qui relève du miracle, autant que je m’en tienne là.
Déjà j’ai détesté le fait que l’auteur cherche à nous faire apprécier un pedocriminel. Parce que c’est ce qu’est Harry Quebert, et parfois j’ai eu le sentiment qu’on cherchait à nous faire oublier ce détail. Il aurait pu être le père de Nola bordel.
Les personnages féminins sont tellement mal traités dans ce livre. Outre le fait qu’elles n’aient aucune personnalité et que l’ensemble de leurs conversations se rapportent aux hommes de leur vie, elle sont sexualisées au possible et passent plus pour des objets que de réels êtres humains.
D’ailleurs, l’ensemble des personnages sont détestables. Ils sont tous égocentriques et vivent dans leur petit monde sans se soucier le moins du monde des autres. Bien sûr, le personnage principal (dont j’ai déjà oublié le nom d’ailleurs) arrive en tête de cette liste.
Si j’ai été très intéressé.e par l’enquête aux débuts du livre, je me suis vite senti.e perdu.e : l’auteur part dans tous les sens, beaucoup trop de choses se passent et parfois elles n’ont aucune logique.
Bref, je sais que je ne lis habituellement pas tout ce qui est thriller/polar, mais je ne m’attendais pas à accrocher aussi peu. Je sais que c’est le premier tome d’une série, mais je m’arrêterai là. J’ai réussi à lire ce livre en 5 jours, ce qui relève du miracle, autant que je m’en tienne là.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia
Moderate: Racial slurs and Murder