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lisahall's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
4.25
pandothiel's review against another edition
2.0
What a disturbing and depressing read.
In the 1970s, in a small town in the US, four teenagers find a dead body. Ensues a bit of teenage investigation, trouble, and a loooot of abuse.
It is a bleak and hopeless environment in which everything that can be wrong, will be wrong. There were very few moments of relief throughout this novel, too few and far in between, that were not enough to really lift up the mood and provide the respite that was needed from this claustrophobic envrionment.
I found the story quite predictable, but also very unsatisfying. The main character is a 13 to 15 year old teenager; not rich, not physically strong, traumatised, with not much going on for himself. There's nothing with it in itself... But it makes for a useless protagonist who ends up being the witness, rather than the actor, of his own story.
Of all the discoveries, he cannot act on any. He stumbles, in happenstance, upon the various clues and pieces that lead to the resolution of the puzzle, without really fighting for them. Once a revelation is made, it's wait and see until the next one.
Figuring out the puzzle didn't achieve anything. The last events were not really concerned with it. The truth never came out. None of the villains paid for their action. Even the resolution wasn't the reward of the main character's actions, but was brought upon by friends that he had abandoned months prior. He just felt... Useless.
The most disturbing part? Lovely.
All in all, this book was too long, the pacing too slow, and not gripping enough to make for a good read. I couldn't recommend, but maybe it's just me not enjoying this genre!
In the 1970s, in a small town in the US, four teenagers find a dead body. Ensues a bit of teenage investigation, trouble, and a loooot of abuse.
It is a bleak and hopeless environment in which everything that can be wrong, will be wrong. There were very few moments of relief throughout this novel, too few and far in between, that were not enough to really lift up the mood and provide the respite that was needed from this claustrophobic envrionment.
I found the story quite predictable, but also very unsatisfying. The main character is a 13 to 15 year old teenager; not rich, not physically strong, traumatised, with not much going on for himself. There's nothing with it in itself... But it makes for a useless protagonist who ends up being the witness, rather than the actor, of his own story.
Of all the discoveries, he cannot act on any. He stumbles, in happenstance, upon the various clues and pieces that lead to the resolution of the puzzle, without really fighting for them. Once a revelation is made, it's wait and see until the next one.
Figuring out the puzzle didn't achieve anything. The last events were not really concerned with it. The truth never came out. None of the villains paid for their action. Even the resolution wasn't the reward of the main character's actions, but was brought upon by friends that he had abandoned months prior. He just felt... Useless.
The most disturbing part?
Spoiler
The climax being the mother pimping her FOURTEEN year old daughter to a rich man after beating her up for years, and then killing her with a knife.All in all, this book was too long, the pacing too slow, and not gripping enough to make for a good read. I couldn't recommend, but maybe it's just me not enjoying this genre!
wellssie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
4.5
maddydaisy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, and War
Minor: Homophobia
nadia_g's review against another edition
4.0
Knowing the truth has weighty consequences for the four protagonists of Bitter Sun, born and raised in a close-knit community in mid-West America where silence and complicity are the bread of everyday life.
The crime around which the novel is build functions like a boomerang: four children investigate a crime that no one cares about, and end up being the hunted.
Bitter Sun is narrated by John who recounts how in the summer of 1971, he, his sister and their two best friends found the body of a murdered girl. That year, they were around 12 years of age, and believing they could help the Sheriff, they set about finding clues. They are quickly baffled that no one appears interested in the murder, and soon they begin to eavesdrop and hunt for the killer themselves. Little do they realise that it is they who have become the prey.
Bitter Sun carries its title to perfection. The tale is a bitter one for these children. I felt such strong empathy for them. Beth Lewis has captured a deeply touching group dynamic and bond. John and his sister Jenny have been friends with Gloria and Rudy for years. The four are devoted to each other, and all experience similar problems at home. Alcoholism, low income, and petty violence are the realities to which they are confronted daily.
What gripped me most was the rippling effect of the murder on the innocent. As Johnny reflects early on in the novel, the murder was the first domino to fall. And the question that drives the entire novel is: will these kids escape from the crash.
The crime around which the novel is build functions like a boomerang: four children investigate a crime that no one cares about, and end up being the hunted.
Bitter Sun is narrated by John who recounts how in the summer of 1971, he, his sister and their two best friends found the body of a murdered girl. That year, they were around 12 years of age, and believing they could help the Sheriff, they set about finding clues. They are quickly baffled that no one appears interested in the murder, and soon they begin to eavesdrop and hunt for the killer themselves. Little do they realise that it is they who have become the prey.
Bitter Sun carries its title to perfection. The tale is a bitter one for these children. I felt such strong empathy for them. Beth Lewis has captured a deeply touching group dynamic and bond. John and his sister Jenny have been friends with Gloria and Rudy for years. The four are devoted to each other, and all experience similar problems at home. Alcoholism, low income, and petty violence are the realities to which they are confronted daily.
What gripped me most was the rippling effect of the murder on the innocent. As Johnny reflects early on in the novel, the murder was the first domino to fall. And the question that drives the entire novel is: will these kids escape from the crash.
nadiasfiction's review against another edition
4.0
Knowing the truth has weighty consequences for the four protagonists of Bitter Sun, born and raised in a close-knit community in mid-West America where silence and complicity are the bread of everyday life.
The crime around which the novel is build functions like a boomerang: four children investigate a crime that no one cares about, and end up being the hunted.
Bitter Sun is narrated by John who recounts how in the summer of 1971, he, his sister and their two best friends found the body of a murdered girl. That year, they were around 12 years of age, and believing they could help the Sheriff, they set about finding clues. They are quickly baffled that no one appears interested in the murder, and soon they begin to eavesdrop and hunt for the killer themselves. Little do they realise that it is they who have become the prey.
Bitter Sun carries its title to perfection. The tale is a bitter one for these children. I felt such strong empathy for them. Beth Lewis has captured a deeply touching group dynamic and bond. John and his sister Jenny have been friends with Gloria and Rudy for years. The four are devoted to each other, and all experience similar problems at home. Alcoholism, low income, and petty violence are the realities to which they are confronted daily.
What gripped me most was the rippling effect of the murder on the innocent. As Johnny reflects early on in the novel, the murder was the first domino to fall. And the question that drives the entire novel is: will these kids escape from the crash.
The crime around which the novel is build functions like a boomerang: four children investigate a crime that no one cares about, and end up being the hunted.
Bitter Sun is narrated by John who recounts how in the summer of 1971, he, his sister and their two best friends found the body of a murdered girl. That year, they were around 12 years of age, and believing they could help the Sheriff, they set about finding clues. They are quickly baffled that no one appears interested in the murder, and soon they begin to eavesdrop and hunt for the killer themselves. Little do they realise that it is they who have become the prey.
Bitter Sun carries its title to perfection. The tale is a bitter one for these children. I felt such strong empathy for them. Beth Lewis has captured a deeply touching group dynamic and bond. John and his sister Jenny have been friends with Gloria and Rudy for years. The four are devoted to each other, and all experience similar problems at home. Alcoholism, low income, and petty violence are the realities to which they are confronted daily.
What gripped me most was the rippling effect of the murder on the innocent. As Johnny reflects early on in the novel, the murder was the first domino to fall. And the question that drives the entire novel is: will these kids escape from the crash.
booktwitcher23's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sednadragon35's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book interesting and it sounds something that you would like if you are a Stephen King fan.