@brad_hamilton
Brad HamiltonTLDR: Interesting enough to stay engaged, but not stellar enough to stay on my bookshelf when finished. The ideas present in the book were interesting enough to keep me curious until the end, but some of the writing was a little bland or frustrating. The main character often dismisses concerning sounds and encounters as normal or just her imagination; and the author describes situations as one way to build suspense only to turn around and say “just kidding, it was just this ordinary thing instead” (e.g. the creepy breathing she hears through the ajar door just being TV static). This tactic was used multiple times and I found it kind of lame. Things started to finally fall in place and get interesting around page 200, but that’s pretty late. The “aha” moment near the end was interesting, but I had predicted part of it.
Brad HamiltonI’ve heard of this best selling/award winning book for over a decade, but never looked into it - it seemed like a book you would be forced to read in high school. But this book found me at the right time in my life. It might not be for everyone, but it is my new favorite. Yes, it is sad. The main character lives a lonely life. She faces prejudice and loses her faith in other people. You get to experience her life in the marsh with her; the life she works so hard to build for herself. This may turn some people off, but it is much more than just another “whodunit.”
Brad HamiltonCozy and very enjoyable. There was a section of the book that seemed out of place to me (the side quest), but aside from that I loved it. If you enjoy mysticism/fortune telling, found family, and/or can relate to being a cultural minority/first generation immigrant you may enjoy this read.