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shannonrc's review against another edition
4.0
I found myself reading this book very quickly which surprised me. At first, I was uncomfortable with the main character and his story but as it developed I found myself not being able to put it down.
I got caught up in the story and the pace of the writing. I wanted to know more about the characters and the authors writing had me reading in a state of frenzy (and paranoia...lol) to find out what the big crescendo at the end was going to be and that ending definitely surprised me.
I feel this would be a very good book club discussion title as it's a frightening (and twisted) look into the mind of stalkers and people obsessed with love. I found myself wanting to talk to someone about it when I finished that last page. The book made me slightly uncomfortable but I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing in this case.
It was a different take on the subject and I wouldn't recommend it to just anyone but I do think it was worth the read and for the conversation I feel could come out of it.
I got caught up in the story and the pace of the writing. I wanted to know more about the characters and the authors writing had me reading in a state of frenzy (and paranoia...lol) to find out what the big crescendo at the end was going to be and that ending definitely surprised me.
I feel this would be a very good book club discussion title as it's a frightening (and twisted) look into the mind of stalkers and people obsessed with love. I found myself wanting to talk to someone about it when I finished that last page. The book made me slightly uncomfortable but I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing in this case.
It was a different take on the subject and I wouldn't recommend it to just anyone but I do think it was worth the read and for the conversation I feel could come out of it.
miccca's review against another edition
3.0
☆☆☆
Deseo, obsesión, celos, ira, sexo y mentiras son una combinación peligrosa para una historia de amor retorcida y la autora lo retrata de forma impresionante.
En esta historia la obsesión se confunde con amor y uno termina convencido de que así es por la forma en la que Mike lo afirma.
Recomiendo leer el epílogo de la autora al final del libro.
Deseo, obsesión, celos, ira, sexo y mentiras son una combinación peligrosa para una historia de amor retorcida y la autora lo retrata de forma impresionante.
En esta historia la obsesión se confunde con amor y uno termina convencido de que así es por la forma en la que Mike lo afirma.
Recomiendo leer el epílogo de la autora al final del libro.
miccca's review against another edition
3.0
☆☆☆
Deseo, obsesión, celos, ira, sexo y mentiras son una combinación peligrosa para una historia de amor retorcida y la autora lo retrata de forma impresionante.
En esta historia la obsesión se confunde con amor y uno termina convencido de que así es por la forma en la que Mike lo afirma.
Recomiendo leer el epílogo de la autora al final del libro.
Deseo, obsesión, celos, ira, sexo y mentiras son una combinación peligrosa para una historia de amor retorcida y la autora lo retrata de forma impresionante.
En esta historia la obsesión se confunde con amor y uno termina convencido de que así es por la forma en la que Mike lo afirma.
Recomiendo leer el epílogo de la autora al final del libro.
sstephreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
jenpaul13's review against another edition
3.0
Relationships require lots of communication to ensure that each person feels respected and valued. In Araminta Hall's Our Kind of Cruelty, the surmised interpretation of direct and indirect communication creates a sordid tale of love.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Mike Hayes has worked hard to overcome the adversity of his difficult childhood, securing a high-paying job and a new house that will suit Verity, the girlfriend who helped him learn about love. Having cultivated his appearance and the newly-bought house in London to specifications that'll please Verity, he's not concerned that she's not returning his calls and emails or that she's going to be marrying Angus Metcalf; he's convinced that it's all part of an elaborately set up game that they used to play in their early twenties. Following Verity's movements and reading into the limited conversations he has with her, he believes he can discern the signs to bring the game to an end where Verity comes home to him again.
Told from the viewpoint of an unreliable narrator, this novel is a quickly-paced read that demonstrates how important perspective is to events that take place and how people are likely to experience the same event incredibly differently; it also is a good discussion piece as the behaviors and actions depicted get you thinking. Picking up in pacing and drama in the courtroom scenes, which necessitated the first part of the novel, I was more compelled to see how the story would pan out and to what extent the psychological element would be developed. While I enjoy a good psychological ride, this particular tale, with some repetitive comments and observations made, was rather frequently a bit cringy in how entitled and aggressive Mike behaved, particularly about Verity.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Mike Hayes has worked hard to overcome the adversity of his difficult childhood, securing a high-paying job and a new house that will suit Verity, the girlfriend who helped him learn about love. Having cultivated his appearance and the newly-bought house in London to specifications that'll please Verity, he's not concerned that she's not returning his calls and emails or that she's going to be marrying Angus Metcalf; he's convinced that it's all part of an elaborately set up game that they used to play in their early twenties. Following Verity's movements and reading into the limited conversations he has with her, he believes he can discern the signs to bring the game to an end where Verity comes home to him again.
Told from the viewpoint of an unreliable narrator, this novel is a quickly-paced read that demonstrates how important perspective is to events that take place and how people are likely to experience the same event incredibly differently; it also is a good discussion piece as the behaviors and actions depicted get you thinking. Picking up in pacing and drama in the courtroom scenes, which necessitated the first part of the novel, I was more compelled to see how the story would pan out and to what extent the psychological element would be developed. While I enjoy a good psychological ride, this particular tale, with some repetitive comments and observations made, was rather frequently a bit cringy in how entitled and aggressive Mike behaved, particularly about Verity.
wadezone's review against another edition
3.0
This is a very interesting story. It does repeat most of the events between the characters with only a slight difference here and there. What does scare me is people like Mike in real life. I do have to give Araminta a 4/5 for that kind of character. For me, I have to settle with a 3.
ktunderdown's review against another edition
dark
sad
3.25
God help any girl that comes in contact with a guy like him. He is an awful human being.
horsley123's review against another edition
4.0
A page turner. Narrated by Mike, who is convinced that his ex-girlfriend's marriage is all part of a sex game and that really she wants him. His ranting delusions show us how fixated he is with Verity, and even when a few shadows of doubt cross his mind, he still manages to make it seem that he is the only sane person in this love triangle.
The author writes at the end of the book that she was inspired to write this having seen how Amanda Knox was treated at her trial for murder. She was vilified because she enjoyed sex and did not act appropriately when the police came knocking, neither are crimes or indicators that she was a murderer.
The build up to the trial was a little long-winded, I had tired of reading about Mike's delusions. however once the lawyers and the judge got involved the story picked up, giving the reader much to think about as regards discrimination towards female defendants.
The author writes at the end of the book that she was inspired to write this having seen how Amanda Knox was treated at her trial for murder. She was vilified because she enjoyed sex and did not act appropriately when the police came knocking, neither are crimes or indicators that she was a murderer.
The build up to the trial was a little long-winded, I had tired of reading about Mike's delusions. however once the lawyers and the judge got involved the story picked up, giving the reader much to think about as regards discrimination towards female defendants.