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A review by theliterati_list
The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
4.0
"I tilt my head back, looking up at the ceiling. Our shadows are up there, dark shapes sitting side by side, larger than life." (p.251)
The Villa is on it's surface a haunted house story, with two timelines set at the same Italian villa, dancing back and forth, both heading towards fatal finales. Underneath the surface the story ripples with the consequences of toxic relationships of both lovers and friends. Inspired by the summer Mary Shelley spent with friends at Lord Byron's estate writing Frankenstein, Rachel Hawkins modernizes the tale and adds interest in unique ways, telling the story both through traditional narration, but also song lyrics, podcast transcripts, and emails.
This was such an easy and fun read. I am typically a very slow reader, but I could not put this book down and finished it at breakneck speed in only two late nights! I found myself wishing I had read it at the same time as friends because I desperately wanted to talk about these characters with someone, so I am recommending this as a perfect book club book!
Also, if you usually skip the acknowledgements at the end of the book make an exception this time. They're charming.
The Villa is on it's surface a haunted house story, with two timelines set at the same Italian villa, dancing back and forth, both heading towards fatal finales. Underneath the surface the story ripples with the consequences of toxic relationships of both lovers and friends. Inspired by the summer Mary Shelley spent with friends at Lord Byron's estate writing Frankenstein, Rachel Hawkins modernizes the tale and adds interest in unique ways, telling the story both through traditional narration, but also song lyrics, podcast transcripts, and emails.
This was such an easy and fun read. I am typically a very slow reader, but I could not put this book down and finished it at breakneck speed in only two late nights! I found myself wishing I had read it at the same time as friends because I desperately wanted to talk about these characters with someone, so I am recommending this as a perfect book club book!
Also, if you usually skip the acknowledgements at the end of the book make an exception this time. They're charming.