“Maybe every era has an atrocity woven into its fabric. Maybe every society is complicit in terrible things and only afterwards gets around to
“Maybe every era has an atrocity woven into its fabric. Maybe every society is complicit in terrible things and only afterwards gets around to pretending they didn’t know.�
I typically gravitate towards long books, especially epic fantasy, where length is the norm. But when I need a break from those hefty stories, I turn to contemporary novels, which tend to be shorter. Generally, I think contemporaries work best when they're in the short-to-medium range—there’s not always a need for a longer narrative. That said, I can think of a few big, hefty contemporaries I’ve read and loved, such as The Winners by Fredrik Backman, A Little Life, and The Heart's Invisible Furies.
I came across this book on the Waterstones website and noticed the positive reviews and awards it had received. Normally, books that win awards don’t always work for me, but I decided to give it a try. I went into it knowing very little, but it started off strong, which made me hopeful.
Then came Imelda’s chapters, and honestly, I was completely thrown off. Her sections felt disorienting, and the lack of punctuation irritated me. I understand Murray was likely trying to capture her scattered mind and thoughts, but it just made for a frustrating reading experience. Imelda's chapters are also the longest in the book, and it took me nearly three days to get through them before I could pick up my usual pace again. Some readers have said that the audiobook helps with this, but I didn’t consider that option at the time, and given the length of the book, I assumed the audiobook would be just as long.
“I suppose that’s what everybody wants, isn’t it. To be like everybody else. But nobody is like everybody else. That’s the one thing we have in common.�
In terms of writing, the prose was good, though it fluctuated in quality throughout the book. For the most part, it suited the tone of the story. The characters are deeply flawed, which seems to be the main point of the novel. By the end, I found myself invested in the characters, especially the kids, and it was rewarding to see them grow. Sure, they can be frustrating, but that’s part of what makes them feel so realistic, especially for anyone who’s interacted with teenagers recently.
Now, about the ending� The story wraps up with an open, ambiguous conclusion. As the narrative picks up pace toward the end, it almost takes on the tension of a thriller—but without the satisfying final reveal. When I closed the book, I felt a surge of frustration. Had I really gone through all of this just to be left hanging?
In true "me" fashion, I dove into some research and discovered that the ending could be interpreted in two ways. One is the likely intended outcome, which is sad but cleverly foreshadowed throughout the book, tying up all the narrative threads. The other interpretation is more optimistic. This realization completely shifted my perspective on the book and made me appreciate it more. It even made me want to re-read it right away, as the first line takes on an entirely new meaning upon a second reading. This is definitely a book that sparks discussion.
“That's the past, isn't it. You think it's behind you, then one day you walk into a room and it's there waiting for you.�
In conclusion, I can now see why this book has such mixed reviews. I was on both sides of the fence, initially hating it and then coming to love it. The book is lengthy and could benefit from some editing (especially when it comes to punctuation), but I’ll always look back on it with admiration. Who knows? Maybe one day, I’ll give it another read!
This continues to be a great series. In this particular volume, I noticed a bit of a change, there were a bit more humor and some goofy panels that I did not notice before. ...more
Water ★★★★ Earth ★★★★ Fire ★★★★�
One of the most fucked up books I read, and I loved it!! I am going to be honest; it took me some to realize there is an Water ★★★★ Earth ★★★★ Fire ★★★★�
One of the most fucked up books I read, and I loved it!! I am going to be honest; it took me some to realize there is an ongoing theme with the series. Boyne does not shy away from heavy topics in his books and with this series he chose to write about "bad" characters. I wanted to say morally gray, but I don't believe they can be described this way.
Freya, the protagonist in this book is so well written because as fucked as she is, I still cared about her; I understood her as a victim, but it does not justify her current actions. This book gave me so much mixed emotions!!
The books are loosely connected, and we even get some answers for events in the last book which were left open as I mentioned in my review. The twists were expected but this does not make their impact any less powerful. I loved how the book started and even more how it ended, and I cannot wait to read Aaron's story in the finale. ...more
I don't know how I got to reading this book, but I hope it is a good one!I don't know how I got to reading this book, but I hope it is a good one!...more
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