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Folly Island #1
Folly
An acclaimed master of suspense creates a heroine you will never forget in this superbly chilling novel of a woman who begins a desperate undertaking that may transform her life--or end it.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR WORST FEARS AREN’T ALL IN YOUR MIND?
Rae Newborn is a woman on the on the edge of sanity, on the edge of tragedy, and now on the edge of the world. She has moved to an island at the far reaches of the continent to restore the house of an equally haunted figure, her mysterious great-uncle; but as her life begins to rebuild itself along with the house, his story starts to wrap around hers. Powerful forces are stirring, but Rae cannot see where her reality leaves off and his fate begins.
Fifty-two years old, Rae must battle the feelings that have long tormented her--panic, melancholy, and a skin-crawling sense of watchers behind the trees. Before she came here, she believed that most of the things she feared existed only in her mind. And who can say, as disturbing incidents multiply, if any of the watchers on Folly Island might be real? Is Rae paranoid, as her family and the police believe, or is the threat real? Is the island alive with promise--or with dangers?
With Folly, award-winning author Laurie R. King once again powerfully redefines psychological suspense on a sophisticated and harrowing new level, and proves why legions of readers and reviewers have named her a master of the genre.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR WORST FEARS AREN’T ALL IN YOUR MIND?
Rae Newborn is a woman on the on the edge of sanity, on the edge of tragedy, and now on the edge of the world. She has moved to an island at the far reaches of the continent to restore the house of an equally haunted figure, her mysterious great-uncle; but as her life begins to rebuild itself along with the house, his story starts to wrap around hers. Powerful forces are stirring, but Rae cannot see where her reality leaves off and his fate begins.
Fifty-two years old, Rae must battle the feelings that have long tormented her--panic, melancholy, and a skin-crawling sense of watchers behind the trees. Before she came here, she believed that most of the things she feared existed only in her mind. And who can say, as disturbing incidents multiply, if any of the watchers on Folly Island might be real? Is Rae paranoid, as her family and the police believe, or is the threat real? Is the island alive with promise--or with dangers?
With Folly, award-winning author Laurie R. King once again powerfully redefines psychological suspense on a sophisticated and harrowing new level, and proves why legions of readers and reviewers have named her a master of the genre.
523 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
268 people are currently reading
2,224 people want to read
About the author
Laurie R. King
138Ìýbooks6,703ÌýfollowersEdgar-winning mystery writer Laurie R. King writes series and standalone novels. Her official forum is
here on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ--please join us for book-discussing fun.
King's 2018 novel, Island of the Mad, sees Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes travel from London's Bedlam to the glitter of Venice's Lido,where Young Things and the friends of Cole Porter pass Mussolini's Blackshirts in the streets. The follows a brilliant young woman who becomes the student, then partner, of the great detective. [] The Stuyvesant and Grey series (Touchstone; The Bones of Paris) takes place in Europe between the Wars. The follows an SFPD detective's cases on a female Rembrandt, a holy fool, and more. []
King lives in northern California, which serves as backdrop for some of her books.
Please note that Laurie checks her Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ inbox intermittently, so it may take some time to receive a reply. A quicker response may be possible via email to [email protected].
here on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ--please join us for book-discussing fun.
King's 2018 novel, Island of the Mad, sees Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes travel from London's Bedlam to the glitter of Venice's Lido,where Young Things and the friends of Cole Porter pass Mussolini's Blackshirts in the streets. The follows a brilliant young woman who becomes the student, then partner, of the great detective. [] The Stuyvesant and Grey series (Touchstone; The Bones of Paris) takes place in Europe between the Wars. The follows an SFPD detective's cases on a female Rembrandt, a holy fool, and more. []
King lives in northern California, which serves as backdrop for some of her books.
Please note that Laurie checks her Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ inbox intermittently, so it may take some time to receive a reply. A quicker response may be possible via email to [email protected].
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 478 reviews
May 24, 2012
I don't normally watch movies or read books about mental illness of my own volition (I went to go see A Beautiful Mind without really knowing what it was about; that's been it in recent years.) I've danced with the devil a few times (though never as dramatically as Rae) and I usually prefer other subject matter for my pleasure reading/movie consumption. But, I love and respect LRK's writing (and really, would read her grocery list at this point) and knew that if there was anyone who could handle the subject well of mental illness well, it would be her. And she did, with grace, dignity, and no small measure of humor. There was also a very good mystery/thriller along with the story of the protagonist, Rae, as well. I loved this book, and I'll be glomping down the kind-of followup as soon as I get a chance.
May 24, 2012
This book took my breath away. It was a mystery that was resolved in the casual and not so casual conversations of a woman coming to terms with loss and grief in a malevolent environment. It was about rebuilding literally a house on a made up San Juan Island in the Pacific Northwest and in the process resolving many clues about her family. The writing was superb almost poetic and yet the plot and character development was complex and the action required a careful read. Highly recommended to everyone.
May 24, 2012
FOLLY (Mys/Novel-Rae Newborn-Washington State-Cont) � Ex
King, Laurie R. � Standalone
Bantam, 2001, US Hardcover � ISBN: 0553111035
First Sentence: The gray-haired woman stood with her boots planted on the rocky promontory and watched what was left of her family pull away.
Rae Newborn is a woodworker whose work appears in galleries and museums. She is also a woman who has known tragedy, severe depression and attempted suicide more than once. Working to put her life back on track, Rae has come to Salvation Island to rebuild the house, known as Folly, built by her great-uncle and by fire. She is dealing with her fears after having been viciously attacked and a feeling of being watched.
Things don’t improve when she finds a footprint that’s not hers, learns her house in Los Angeles has been broken into and discovered a skeleton still containing the killing bullet.
This was a re-read for me and I found it as good the second time. Rae is a powerful character. In spite of her problems and past, you feel her strength and admire her self-awareness. Since the story is told in first-person, you have a real feel for her emotions and fears.
There is an interesting assortment of supporting character, including dead great-uncle Desmond, who are interesting in themselves but also act as a foil for Rae in demonstrating her determination.
I loved King’s attention to detail and powers of description. Even if you’ve never worked with wood, anyone with a craft they love and recognition for the importance of the tools of that craft, will appreciate the descriptions of the wood her awareness of her tools.
The mystery isn’t a traditional one. There is the present day mystery of whom, if anyone, is after Rae and the secondary mystery of Desmond, who came to the island with his own need to recover from shell shock after WWI.
Folly is a wonderful, emotional story and my favorite of anything King has written thus far.
King, Laurie R. � Standalone
Bantam, 2001, US Hardcover � ISBN: 0553111035
First Sentence: The gray-haired woman stood with her boots planted on the rocky promontory and watched what was left of her family pull away.
Rae Newborn is a woodworker whose work appears in galleries and museums. She is also a woman who has known tragedy, severe depression and attempted suicide more than once. Working to put her life back on track, Rae has come to Salvation Island to rebuild the house, known as Folly, built by her great-uncle and by fire. She is dealing with her fears after having been viciously attacked and a feeling of being watched.
Things don’t improve when she finds a footprint that’s not hers, learns her house in Los Angeles has been broken into and discovered a skeleton still containing the killing bullet.
This was a re-read for me and I found it as good the second time. Rae is a powerful character. In spite of her problems and past, you feel her strength and admire her self-awareness. Since the story is told in first-person, you have a real feel for her emotions and fears.
There is an interesting assortment of supporting character, including dead great-uncle Desmond, who are interesting in themselves but also act as a foil for Rae in demonstrating her determination.
I loved King’s attention to detail and powers of description. Even if you’ve never worked with wood, anyone with a craft they love and recognition for the importance of the tools of that craft, will appreciate the descriptions of the wood her awareness of her tools.
The mystery isn’t a traditional one. There is the present day mystery of whom, if anyone, is after Rae and the secondary mystery of Desmond, who came to the island with his own need to recover from shell shock after WWI.
Folly is a wonderful, emotional story and my favorite of anything King has written thus far.
May 24, 2012
This book was recommended to me by a friend. It was 400 pages long. I had gotten to page 200 and still didn't know why it was so wonderful! The book is about a 52 year old woman who has lost her husband and daughter in an accident. She was attacked and raped, was put into a psychiatric facility and is now trying to heal. To do so, she decides to go to an island that she inherited from a great uncle. It is a small island which serves now as a bird sanctuary and no one lives there. The main character is an artist who works with wood and also has building skills. SHe goes back to this island to rebuild the house that her great uncle built and to heal. THe book was just okay with about the last 60 pages being the best part of the story. Maybe you should just read the first 100 and the last 100 and you would like the book! I can't wait to talk to my friend about it to see just why she liked it so very much. Now I need to go to my pile of books and see what I will read next. This took me so long to read that I just might want to choose something that will be a much faster read for me.
May 24, 2012
I loved Folly! I liked the way Laurie R King develops the connection between rebuilding a life that is in shambles and rebuilding a house from the foundation up.
I had a bit of trouble getting out to do chores outside and getting to bed at a decent hour until I finished listening.
Great read/listen.
I had a bit of trouble getting out to do chores outside and getting to bed at a decent hour until I finished listening.
Great read/listen.
July 11, 2017
/review/show...
5 stars, and very highly recommended.
5 stars, and very highly recommended.
May 25, 2012
Laurie King's Folly is a very sympathetic portrayal of the effects of psychosis and madness on the individual. In this case it is Rae Newborn who is literally reborn from her last bout of suicidal mental illness through the solitude of an uninhabited island and the project of rebuilding a burned-out house. We join her as she leaves therapy to live on an isolated island off the coast of Washington state. Her only human contact is a weekly visit by a tatooed man called Ed who drops off her supplies and picks up her laundry and shopping list. She starts off by dumping her medications into the Sound (pharmaceutical pollution!) to live drug free with her imaginary Watchers and her suicidal depression.
The mystery aspect of the novel is based on the old adage: "just because you're paranoid doesn't mean the world isn't out to get you." She is a famous artist with her own and inherited wealth. Her son-in-law is involved in shady dealings and always seeking money from Rae. Her geat uncle Desmond originally built the house and disappeared when a mysterious fire destroyed it just before completion. Is someone out to get her or is she just psychotic? As the work on the house proceeds and her health improves this question keeps up the suspense.
The structure of the novel is broad sections named after the progress of the house reconstruction (Clearing the Ground, Laying the Foundations Building Walls, Raising the Roof Beam, and House Warming). Each of these is introduced by some brief statement by an anonymous Victim who seeks vengeance against The Thief. Who these two are the ultimate mystery of the novel. Each section is divided into chapters that are told from the point of view of Rae Newborn. To break up this a bit, the author introduces chapters throughout the text that are selections from Rae's journal, Desmond's journal, Rae's letters to her granddaughter Petra, and letters from Petra.
Laurie King is a master of character development and locale. Her depiction of Rae and the people with whom she interacts brings these people to rich and complex life. Even when the readers know they are minor characters, we are still treated to people who bring a complexity to their roles. This is also true of the setting in the San Juan islands. The pace and ecology of this community is lovingly portrayed. Add to these the technical details of house carpentry and woodworking, and you have a very rich and satisfying novel.
Folly is an excellent mystery. Without the known anchors of Ms. King's mystery series (Mary Russell and Kate Martinelli), this book may lack some of the success of books in those series. I found it difficult at the start because Rae has been suicidally depressed and I have a natural reluctance to make friends with people like that. Yet it is by confronting our discomfort that this book is ultimately successful in providing a deep insight into the stigma of mental illness.
The mystery aspect of the novel is based on the old adage: "just because you're paranoid doesn't mean the world isn't out to get you." She is a famous artist with her own and inherited wealth. Her son-in-law is involved in shady dealings and always seeking money from Rae. Her geat uncle Desmond originally built the house and disappeared when a mysterious fire destroyed it just before completion. Is someone out to get her or is she just psychotic? As the work on the house proceeds and her health improves this question keeps up the suspense.
The structure of the novel is broad sections named after the progress of the house reconstruction (Clearing the Ground, Laying the Foundations Building Walls, Raising the Roof Beam, and House Warming). Each of these is introduced by some brief statement by an anonymous Victim who seeks vengeance against The Thief. Who these two are the ultimate mystery of the novel. Each section is divided into chapters that are told from the point of view of Rae Newborn. To break up this a bit, the author introduces chapters throughout the text that are selections from Rae's journal, Desmond's journal, Rae's letters to her granddaughter Petra, and letters from Petra.
Laurie King is a master of character development and locale. Her depiction of Rae and the people with whom she interacts brings these people to rich and complex life. Even when the readers know they are minor characters, we are still treated to people who bring a complexity to their roles. This is also true of the setting in the San Juan islands. The pace and ecology of this community is lovingly portrayed. Add to these the technical details of house carpentry and woodworking, and you have a very rich and satisfying novel.
Folly is an excellent mystery. Without the known anchors of Ms. King's mystery series (Mary Russell and Kate Martinelli), this book may lack some of the success of books in those series. I found it difficult at the start because Rae has been suicidally depressed and I have a natural reluctance to make friends with people like that. Yet it is by confronting our discomfort that this book is ultimately successful in providing a deep insight into the stigma of mental illness.
May 24, 2012
I just discovered Laurie King last month when I started reading The Beekeeper's Apprentice. This book's a far cry from the light-hearted story of Sherlock Holmes and his young protege, but I was instantly sucked into it. Having struggled with some of the mental issues the protagonist of this story suffers from, I was shocked at how well the author portrays them. Her ear for dialog is spot-on and I found myself often tearful at the profound insights she'd subtly slip into the thoughts of her characters.
I admit, I was a little disappointed with the ending. [SPOILER ALERT]
It felt to me like the book was meant to go on longer and then was inexplicably cut short. A character who could only be called the villain disappears without any fanfare and a brand new character is introduced 20 pages from the end, and nothing really comes of either of them. Top that with a big reveal that leaves you going, "Huh?" and the result is a spectacular book with a weirdly unsatisfying ending. That said, 99% of the book is really incredible and well worth the read.
I admit, I was a little disappointed with the ending. [SPOILER ALERT]
It felt to me like the book was meant to go on longer and then was inexplicably cut short. A character who could only be called the villain disappears without any fanfare and a brand new character is introduced 20 pages from the end, and nothing really comes of either of them. Top that with a big reveal that leaves you going, "Huh?" and the result is a spectacular book with a weirdly unsatisfying ending. That said, 99% of the book is really incredible and well worth the read.
May 5, 2018
I read this book a few years ago for my book club and was prepared to dislike it. The main theme seemed to be mental illness so I wasn't prepared to be swept away by a story line that was right up my alley: single woman chooses to rebuild the old fashioned way a house on an island. The character was an artist (my hot button) who chose solitude to heal. The suspense that ensued was mesmerizing. A great read!
December 18, 2014
A very intimate story of one womans battle with depression. The story follows her throughout her travels to 'her' island where her lone quest to face and hopefully conquer her demons.
A story that will suck you in and keep you on the edge of your seat.
A must read.
A story that will suck you in and keep you on the edge of your seat.
A must read.
August 1, 2016
I am a big fan of Laurie King, especially her Mary Russell, Sherlock Holmes mysteries. So I picked up this book with a question mark in my mind as to whether I would like it because it is a stand alone novel. It turned out to be a gem. As usual, King's writing is superb and her characters are so well developed that she really takes you into another world. The story is about a middle aged woman, Rae who has had great tragedy, has lost her husband and daughter in a terrible accident and because of her mental instability before and after the accident is estranged from her daughter. Rae also happens to be a talented woodworking artist. As the story opens she is on her way to one of the San Juan islands off the coast of Washington which she has inherited from her great uncle. She has decided to live on the island alone and use her construction and artist skills to rebuild the only house on the island which burned down many decades ago, hoping that she will also rebuild her life and recover from her loss. Even though she is alone, there are many other important characters who visit and are woven into the story as well as a mystery, not disappointing those of us who have come to expect this from Laurie King.
May 25, 2012
OK, everyone needs to calm down and stop with the negative reviews of this book. I thought it was great, and i've read the whole series. As a whole, the series has its ups and downs but this is not by any means the weakest one. For me it was one of the best; i raced through it. However .... you do have to be very familiar with Gilbert and Sullivan and especially with The Pirates of Penzance. Holmes isn't very present in this one (but this series isn't really about Holmes anyway, is it) and the mystery is pretty nonexistent. But if you like Mary Russell and you love G &S you will enjoy this book. If you aren't familiar with Pirates, then before you read this book go rent the excellent version with Kevin Kline.
May 24, 2012
Ms. King can't be satisfied with two successful series', she also has to PWN some unbelievable stand alones. (The show off) Folly's mentally fragile MC, Ray Newborn, is such a masterfully drawn character. The tension builds as she tries to conquer her phobias and resurrect what's left of her sanity alone (she thinks) on an island in the pacific northwest, but not all her fears are irrational.
Tight.
Tight.
May 24, 2012
This book was recommended by someone at work who would also like to write books. I found it quite interesting. The mystery unfolds slowly, but what I really enjoyed was the protagonist's journey from deep depression to health while rebuilding her's uncle's home. Her life parallels the life of her uncle, which she reads in his diary. I am ready to read one more by King.
April 21, 2017
It felt like climbing a very steep hill. I admit it to be well written but all that remorse and introspection are too much sometimes for even the most avid fan of Ms. King. I try to avoid the books written about people with suicidal tendencies and severe depression. They may be helpful for some but for myself they truly drag me down.
January 2, 2021
A woman with mental illness moves to an island in the San Juans to build a house with her own hands. Seriously well-written: a compelling story, beautiful pace, and some of the best passages about the experience of mental illness that I've ever read.
August 2, 2020
Fascinating story although somewhat disjointed, virtuous writing, a good read. I will read her sequel.
October 31, 2015
I almost always like Laurie King's books. One of the things I truly appreciate is her ability to have relationships within the book while not making the book feel like a Harlequin romance.
this book is NOT about the relationship - male /female- but it has a lot to do with familial relationships.
Rae Newborn is a severely depressed woman who moves to an isolated Gulf Island "Folly" which is owned by her family. She has suffered many losses in her life and the book opens with her arrival on the island to rebuild a house there which was originally built by her great uncle. We travel with Rae through her uncle's diary and the building of the house, her physical and mental rebuilding, her past and her present and the building of friendships with others in the area.
Rae thinks someone is watching her and she felt the same when she lived in Los Angeles- the Watchers, as she calls them. She is unsure if they are real or in her mind. As the story builds , it becomes clear which is true and what will happen to Rae because of it.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book- only one mistake I found: King refers to Salt Springs Island; it's Saltspring or Salt Spring, no plural.
this book is NOT about the relationship - male /female- but it has a lot to do with familial relationships.
Rae Newborn is a severely depressed woman who moves to an isolated Gulf Island "Folly" which is owned by her family. She has suffered many losses in her life and the book opens with her arrival on the island to rebuild a house there which was originally built by her great uncle. We travel with Rae through her uncle's diary and the building of the house, her physical and mental rebuilding, her past and her present and the building of friendships with others in the area.
Rae thinks someone is watching her and she felt the same when she lived in Los Angeles- the Watchers, as she calls them. She is unsure if they are real or in her mind. As the story builds , it becomes clear which is true and what will happen to Rae because of it.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book- only one mistake I found: King refers to Salt Springs Island; it's Saltspring or Salt Spring, no plural.
November 11, 2012
I am not sure how to describe my feelings on this book. On one hand, I liked it. The story keep me listening and wanting to find out the truth. On the other hand, I found it a little hard to get into, and up until about 2/3 of the way through the book, I wondered why I kept listening.
There were a few scenes where I felt like the characters involved were contrived simply to resolve someting, but that they didn't really do all that much to move the stor along.
I did enjoy the book. I might listen to something else by her, but I simply can't rave about this one.
I can tell you that the narrator annoyed the hell out of me. He has a soft "whispery" voice that kinda hung on every word, or at the least on the end of every paragraph. At first I considered stopping reading, but then remembered that I actually paid for the book and set my sights on the end. I made it.
Not a bad story, just not stellar.
There were a few scenes where I felt like the characters involved were contrived simply to resolve someting, but that they didn't really do all that much to move the stor along.
I did enjoy the book. I might listen to something else by her, but I simply can't rave about this one.
I can tell you that the narrator annoyed the hell out of me. He has a soft "whispery" voice that kinda hung on every word, or at the least on the end of every paragraph. At first I considered stopping reading, but then remembered that I actually paid for the book and set my sights on the end. I made it.
Not a bad story, just not stellar.
May 24, 2012
I checked this book out when the next Mary Russell book wasn't available at the library for a few weeks. It is written by the same author, Laurie King. I almost turned it back in after reading the first chapter or two, because I didn't think I was going to like it. I got hooked, and ended up being glued to the book until I finished it several days later. This book tells the story about a woman who decides to go to an island her uncle left to her, and rebuild his cabin that had been destroyed decades earlier. She has struggled with the loss of her husband and daughter, and a few bouts of manic depression. This book is not only a fascinating story about her life, but also helps shed light on an illness that is often misunderstood and misrepresented.
May 24, 2012
This is a spellbinding tale about a fascinating women and her unique way of putting back the broken pieces of herself. Two different mysteries are presented, intertwined and solved. I 'read' the audio book performed by Frank Muller. My sister thought the book should have been read by a woman, because it is mostly about a women, but I disagree in this case. Frank is excellent at telling a tale in a tense & suspenseful way and this is a tense and suspenseful story.
WARNING-
One reader I know said once she got about midway through, she could not put the book down and go to sleep, so she stayed up all night reading it through to the end.
WARNING-
One reader I know said once she got about midway through, she could not put the book down and go to sleep, so she stayed up all night reading it through to the end.
May 24, 2012
Very disappointed in this book. The premise was great, (what if the voices in your head really are there?)I loved the setting, the tie-in with family history, and I was excited for a good mystery, but things just kept going well for the heroine. I did like the hammer scene, but wanted more suspense overall.
I agree with this review:
Beautiful prose and intriguing characters can't quite save the confusing, and at times needlessly complicated, plot of this challenging psychological thriller, set on a fictional addition to the San Juan Island chain in Washington state, from Edgar-winner King. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
I agree with this review:
Beautiful prose and intriguing characters can't quite save the confusing, and at times needlessly complicated, plot of this challenging psychological thriller, set on a fictional addition to the San Juan Island chain in Washington state, from Edgar-winner King. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
July 3, 2014
I didn't think I would want to read a book about a 52 year old woman with mental health issues building a house on an island.Not even, if they were the beautiful Washington State San Juan Islands.A place I have longed to visit but never will.The island of Folly is a figment of the writer's skillful imagination. This was my first time reading King but not my last. A wonderful story and I so related to 52 year old Rae Newborn.
July 2, 2017
I picked this up since I just blazed through most of the Mary Russell novels and am developing an interest in woodworking and house construction. It was an interesting read given that the protagonist is a middle-aged widow with mental illness -- certainly not your typical heroine. And it was pretty interesting to read about rebuilding a house, learning about framing, different types of wood, etc.
But the main plotlines about Rae's enemies, her daughter's family drama, and her relationships with the various other island dwellers didn't grab my attention at all. I found myself skimming the bits about so-and-so coming to visit with sandwiches so that I could get back to roofbeams. And I could foresee both end twists about 2/3 of the way through. Meh.
But the main plotlines about Rae's enemies, her daughter's family drama, and her relationships with the various other island dwellers didn't grab my attention at all. I found myself skimming the bits about so-and-so coming to visit with sandwiches so that I could get back to roofbeams. And I could foresee both end twists about 2/3 of the way through. Meh.
June 23, 2019
Really good and really scary. I think I'll go back to Mary Russel and Sherlock Holmes' adventures where the mysteries feel further away not just because of an ocean and a century between us. This murder mystery doesn't reveal much until the final two chapters except for a lot of trauma. It was honestly difficult to read, but its positives include a strong female lead, descriptions of Pacific Northwest islands, and detailed directions for building a house. I don't recommend reading this when you're sleeping alone in a forest by the beach.
July 9, 2019
'Folly' is a deeply felt and thought provoking. This is a transformative novel in which we see the psychological and spiritual development of the main character. I drew strong comparisons between this book and 'The Shack.' Whereas 'The Shack' deals with grief resulting from the loss of a loved one, 'Folly' deals with the grief of losing ones identity to tragedy and the loss of trust and faith in humanity. Those are to powerful things to grieve and ones that are hard to overcome (if they ever are).
January 17, 2024
Engrossing, hopeful, constructive (literally) and powerful story of a strong woman who follows her instinct about what she needs in the face of others' disbelief, discouragement caution and (possibly realistic) fears. She rebuilds her own house from the ground up, and in the process builds her solid footing for moving forward with her life. A memorable, believable character ... and mysterious forces to solve along the way.
Read
October 12, 2018Setting this aside for now as Folly was not the right choice for a plane ride. It was dragging for me and I would likely enjoy it more if read in a different setting. I'm a huge fan of Laurie R. King and outdoor adventures so it was all about the timing. Will review and rate when I tackle this again.
August 24, 2020
"Silence is not an absence of noise, and it was an actual thing, a creature with weight and bulk."
This was my first ARC. I received it in 2001 when you gave your feedback directly to the publisher. It is my most favorite book. It came at a time when I was newly diagnosed with PTSD after 5 years of wandering lost with no diagnosis. King gave me Rae, a woman who was so much more than just a shared name. While Rae struggled with a different diagnosis than me, we both struggled together. It gave me hope that things could get better. That I must have some strength to have made it that far, and I could learn about that strength, and see where it could take me. Folly was a lifeline for me. I’ve reread it countless times, and as I write this review after reading it yet again, I find the kinship I felt with Rae swimming back to the surface, with renewed hope and strength.
Thank you, Laurie, for Folly. For Rae and the feeling that while life takes constant effort and hard work, it’s a life worth fighting for.
This was my first ARC. I received it in 2001 when you gave your feedback directly to the publisher. It is my most favorite book. It came at a time when I was newly diagnosed with PTSD after 5 years of wandering lost with no diagnosis. King gave me Rae, a woman who was so much more than just a shared name. While Rae struggled with a different diagnosis than me, we both struggled together. It gave me hope that things could get better. That I must have some strength to have made it that far, and I could learn about that strength, and see where it could take me. Folly was a lifeline for me. I’ve reread it countless times, and as I write this review after reading it yet again, I find the kinship I felt with Rae swimming back to the surface, with renewed hope and strength.
Thank you, Laurie, for Folly. For Rae and the feeling that while life takes constant effort and hard work, it’s a life worth fighting for.
March 1, 2024
2.5/5 - I wanted a lot more from this. It was hard to get through, I had to switch to audio book 50 pages in.. and I never listen to audiobooks..
I wish more had happened. Or we had seen more that happened, instead of being told it.
I wish more had happened. Or we had seen more that happened, instead of being told it.
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