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A review by contemporarymeepsie
Thornhill by Pam Smy
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thornhill is part Graphic Novel and part diary entry driven narrative. It tells the story of trauma and friendship. When Ella moves in to a house that backs on to the dilapidated Thornhill, an 80s children's home, she begins to notice that it isn't quite as abandoned as she first thought. As the mystery of Thornhill unravels, she comes to learn of Mary. A tragic story of betrayal, lonliness and friendships that never were drive these two closer together despite the generations that separate them.
This book was outstanding. I adored the way that Mary's story was delivered in diary entries whilst Ella's is told through imagery. It is both heart-warming and devastating. These characters both have their strife which makes them endearing even if they are not lovable. As a reader I felt sorry for them both and could completely understand the actions they took as a result of the hardships they faced. They are believable to me which is a feat many of the books I've read this year have missed out on. I genuinely looked forward to reading this book every evening and the spooky themeing was perfectly timed for Halloween. A happy accident. If I had to give 1 criticism it would be that it was heavy to hold. I genuinely have no fault with the plot, characters or art style/writing style.
This book was outstanding. I adored the way that Mary's story was delivered in diary entries whilst Ella's is told through imagery. It is both heart-warming and devastating. These characters both have their strife which makes them endearing even if they are not lovable. As a reader I felt sorry for them both and could completely understand the actions they took as a result of the hardships they faced. They are believable to me which is a feat many of the books I've read this year have missed out on. I genuinely looked forward to reading this book every evening and the spooky themeing was perfectly timed for Halloween. A happy accident. If I had to give 1 criticism it would be that it was heavy to hold. I genuinely have no fault with the plot, characters or art style/writing style.