Evie and Lizzie are practically inseparable and share the things many eighth grade girls do - they go to and from school together, play field hockey and share bathing suits. As is also common between young friends, Lizzie secretly covets the life Evie has with her family. Her older, attractive sister, perfectly turned out mother and fun-loving father make a perfect unit that Lizzie longs to be a part of. She lives with her divorced mother and an older brother who is indifferent to Lizzie - her family life certainly has none of the sparkle of Evie's family. All the more reason to spend as much time as possible with Lizzie and her family. When Evie disappears, Lizzie is certainly anxious about where her friend is and who might have taken her but she also takes the opportunity to slip into Evie's family by offering any knowledge she has about Evie's disappearance. Things get bizarre once Evie is abducted and secrets get exposed one by one.
My Thoughts
Initially, this book fell flat for me. I felt it moved slowly and I had difficulty connecting with the characters. However, after finishing the book and allowing time to pass, I realize the brilliance of the book is its ability to make a reader uncomfortable and I have a new respect for it. There is a "creepiness" that pervades the story and intensifies as the search for Evie continues. There are hints of inappropriateness but nothing you can really put your finger on. For example, Evie's father talks about how beautiful her older sister is and how many boys must be after her and he encourages her to tell him all about her dates. Is he a fun, open-minded Dad or does he cross some line with his daughter? Lizzie is infatuated by Evie's Dad and as she teeters between girlhood and womanhood her feelings for him swing between innocent admiration and flirtation. My discomfort grew as the book continued and I have since been haunted by the characters and the story (I was similarly haunted by The Lovely Bones). Couple the haunting with excellent writing and you have the explanation for why a book I initially disliked is now a book I would recommend.
Have you every changed your opinion of a book after letting some time pass? Which book?
I have changed my mind after reading a book for various reasons. I feel like this one might make me uncomfortable too! But I could see how if it stays with you that it can really have an impact.
ReplyDeleteI changed my mind about Maine. After I read the ending, I wanted to throw the book against the wall. But the book stayed in my thoughts. So much so that I began discussing it with everyone I knew who read it. My opinion changed, conversation about the ending and everyone's interpretation definitely helped. It's now one that I recommend. I guess I just needed to sit with it for awhile.
ReplyDeleteI read this book on my way to New York last May and got to talk to the author right after I read it and I was blown away. I can understand your discomfort with the book and I'm glad it's grown on you.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure books have grown on me, especially after I've talked about them with someone, but I can't think of a specific example.
I have a few books I rated on Goodreads that after awhile, I thought I might have rated a bit harshly. I can see where this might be a tough read that might one uncomfortable. I have heard it is a good read though so I might be willing to read it anyway.
ReplyDeleteI think the best books often cause reactions like that. They stick with you because they get under your skin and you remember your reactions to them.
ReplyDeletei've read some other great reviews about this book and have it on my wish list. . .
ReplyDeleteI have an audio copy on hold at the library... I hope I enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteGreat review (love the honesty).
interesting. i'm not sure if this book is for me though. it definitely sounds uncomfortable to read and i don't know if i can deal with that or not. i'm glad that you ended up enjoying it more than you had intial thought you did though!
ReplyDeleteI love books like that. My favorite are the ones in which I start writing my review thinking I disliked a book but realized I actually liked it. Every once in a while, I like having to work for a book.
ReplyDeleteGreat review. It usually takes some period of time for me to figure out how much I liked a book. Sometimes I get involved at the time, but realize upon reflection that it does't actually compare favorably with other books I've read in the genre. But sometimes I have the realization, like you did, that the book was actually better than I thought. "Hottest Dishes of the Tartar Cuisine" was like that for me! Glad this worked so well for you.
ReplyDeleteI find myself changing my mind from time to time but usually it is much later. When I'm thinking of past books read and a book comes up in my mind over and over again even though I initially thought it was just 'okay.'
ReplyDeleteComparing the haunted feeling your got from this one with the feeling you got from reading The Lovely Bones has me convinced to give this one a shot!
ReplyDeleteInteresting review. I was wondering why it wasn't YA, but your reaction gives the explanation.
ReplyDeleteI have totally changed my mind about books -- I was shocked to discover a book that I'm very 'meh' about now I seemed to have loved immediately upon finishing! And last year I was so-so on a book I now say I adore.
ReplyDeleteMy wife is a huge Abbott fan so clearly I need to get this one, and stat!