A review by a_knife5577
Into the Water by Paula Hawkins

dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Don't get me wrong: the book is written with an interesting use of prose that seems almost alluring to the reader. The writing is good, the story is interesting and the "twist" is well set up (even if it's not the most shocking one).

Characters, however, were the problem. It is very hard to make the main character seem like an actual human being that could exist outside of the novel. It is almost impossible to do so when the cast of main characters consists of more than a dozen people. Lena, Jules, Mark, Patrick, Helen, Sean, Nickie, Erin, Josh, Louise. Chapters of the fictional book from perspectives of Libby, Nel, Anne, Lauren and Katie. There should be fewer narrations is all I'm saying. I found myself forced to look back and constantly check which character was which and it felt exhausting.

The pacing is confusing. On one hand, it's nicely set up and it all comes together at the right points. On the other hand, midway through the book, I found myself to be extremely bored as I felt like everything was repeating. "Haven't I read that already?" or "wait, wasn't that revelation already revealed?" were the thoughts that constantly flew through my mind.

Is the book worth reading? Sure. Will I pick up another publication by Paula Hawkins? I wouldn't be against it. Will I recommend this book to any of my friends with passion? Probably not.

Also, if I took a shot every time there is a water metaphor I would be dead. That's all 
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