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A review by kandicez
The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell
3.0
I really enjoyed the slow, lazy narrative Rindell used. We hear the story of Rose and Odalie's friendship through a series of narrative falshbacks with occasional glimpses into Rose's present that alert us to the fact that this relationship will end badly. For Rose.
My problem with the novel is Rindell's obvious attempt to make it more than it is. This is simply a story of betrayal. The setting, prohibition, speakeasys and flappers, is lovely and the detail Rindell imparts is a big reason I am giving this three stars instead of two.
Rindell writes the last chapters of the book as if it suddenly occurred to her that betrayal was not enough. She saw the need to, at that late date, begin writing in clues to mental illness, split or double personalities and more creative arranging and finagling than I felt was necessary.
Why wasn't it enough that Odalie was setting up Rose as her stool pigeon from the beginning? Why did Rindell feel the need to muddy the waters with more? Had she left the story straight, I feel like I would have been awarding it four stars, but as it is, I cannot.
My problem with the novel is Rindell's obvious attempt to make it more than it is. This is simply a story of betrayal. The setting, prohibition, speakeasys and flappers, is lovely and the detail Rindell imparts is a big reason I am giving this three stars instead of two.
Rindell writes the last chapters of the book as if it suddenly occurred to her that betrayal was not enough. She saw the need to, at that late date, begin writing in clues to mental illness, split or double personalities and more creative arranging and finagling than I felt was necessary.
Why wasn't it enough that Odalie was setting up Rose as her stool pigeon from the beginning? Why did Rindell feel the need to muddy the waters with more? Had she left the story straight, I feel like I would have been awarding it four stars, but as it is, I cannot.