Reviews

Such a strange book - certainly not one that would cause me to say, "I loved it!" but I did enjoy reading it as a teenager. I loved the narration because I'd never read a book told in first person omniscient before (or whatever you would call that) and I loved the resolution but the premise was too dark for me and that shower business towards the end was just dumb. I hated the movie because Stanley Tucci should not be a bad guy.

nix_15's review against another edition

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3.0

I'm not sure what I expected going into this and somehow I don't think I got what I wanted from it (???)

First chapter had me in a chokehold, it was much more graphic than i expected and it made me flinch, which was LOVELY

After that, especially when we got to the "5 running in the bushes" incident, instead of the book going UP, it went DOWN. I wasn't expecting a car chase type of thriller, but at the same time, this felt like a huge slice of life book and I wasn't really interested in reading something like that

fl0werygianna's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

readinggurl92's review against another edition

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emotional sad slow-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? Yes

3.75

radioisasoundsalvation's review against another edition

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2.0

This wasn't necessarily satisfying, but I am glad I took the time to read it. I don't think I'd ever deem it "literary" but Sebold certainly did a thorough job in detailing out this daunting subject matter. Sebold can turn a phrase, that's for sure... there were some very pretty moments in this novel, and the Salmon family were developed in an interesting way. I really think it's a shame that Susie herself wasn't better developed, though. Past her disturbing inability to let go of living, Susie's lack of development can't just be attributed to her "inability to grow up"... I get that, but... I don't know. Something was just lacking in Susie towards the end. I don't think I'll ever read any of Sebold's other novels... I try to rationalize THIS ONE because I plan on seeing the film... ah well!

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