Philo-sophia

Sad Beginning

Revisado: 06-15-23

Stories that involve domestic violence, or even hint at child abuse, are extremely difficult for me. I didn't know this would be a theme here. I know it's fiction, but there's some degree of truth or borrowing from real life in many stories. Poor Stevie, a child existing in a world of so much abuse. A mother paralyzed to do anything. The women in this story are sad, weak and stuck.

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A Long Read

Revisado: 05-30-23

It's taking me a long time to get through the book. This is due in large part to the narration. I don't like it. The voice and manner in which Hestie speaks is awful. I don't like it.

Sean, unnecessary character. Also, his hatred of Vanna is also unnecessary. Distraction from an already bad story.

Sounds in a ship, sunken hundreds of feet below the water's surface do not sound the same as sounds down an empty corridor (not submerged under hundreds of feet of water). When a chair falls in a sunken ship, the sound isn't the same in a space not submerged.

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Meh!

Revisado: 05-16-23

I was expected to be scared. I was expecting something that would have me walking backward as I turned lights off, making sure to stay within the lighted areas. But, this story didn't do that.

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A Good Listen

Revisado: 02-17-23

This was my second time reading (well listening) to this story. As it was when I first read it, it is a good story. If done over again, I would want Floyd to live. His death was not necessary. The saddest part, for me, is Ellie's letter at the end. Gut wrenching. Despite what happened to her, she was a fighter.

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I'd Read Something Else

Revisado: 01-31-23

The author makes Zoey out to be another crass and rude American. The subtex of BDSM, early on doesn't entice. There's no build-up or real development of Zoey as a character. Also, how often do mothers abandon their children. Which makes this even harder to believe. Zoey's assumed guardianship over Elsa's story is annoying; bordering feminishwhen she starts questioning how men can understand else. Them not being a woman.

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Wow, more than good

Revisado: 01-29-23

I didn't know what to expect, but I couldn't get enough. So much so, I finished the book in 48hrs (family and work). Jessie and Star suffered so much, we could feel their pain. I mean, I have a much better understanding of how someone could devolve after losing a loved one. Especially, when the last words exchanged were words of anger. To live with that kind of guilt. I mean look what it did to Star, and she was only a teen.

This is a damn good book.

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I'd Read Something Else

Revisado: 01-23-23

The narration is not the best. The narration is quite awkward and the storyline is rather boring. no real background development. But, really the narration makes it hard to become immersed in the story. Something else I noticed, awkward silence between conversations; like the characters just abruptly stop talking when we expect them to continuing talking. Very unusual and unorthodox transitions. Like when Ally is talking to Colette about her (Colette's) nightmare and all of a sudden the conversation ends; when Ally is in the garden reading the ominous message in the dirt and then she's greeting Brooks at his car; or the rushed way the narrator reads each chapter number.

Also, sentences do not need to start with Ally eveytime. Starting with Ally did this and Ally did that is annoying.

Allso, the name of the house is known. The house's full name does not need to be said everytime it'sreferenced. There are techniques to convey this without mentioning the house on every page.

While I listened nearly to the end, I couldn't finish it. So many overlooked details, poor narration, odd structure, unusual writing style.

Irritatingly, despite Eleanor's confession, despite everyone's experiences in the house, including her own, Ally still denies the existence of ghosts. The skepticism is not explained. Ally is not the protagonist one expects. I'd imagine any protagonist would have some relevant background. Other than being a 911 dispatcher and obessed mom, Ally is an uninteresting and unremarkable person. Her fixation on her ex, who moved past their relationship the minute it began, doesn't really add to the story. I mean, it's been what 13 years? Ally has done nothing with her life to give her the kind of credibility this book is ascribing her. Also, why she'd be chosen for an artist's residency with absolutely no background or history in literature.

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Annoyed and bored

Revisado: 01-07-23

Not a fan of this story. No character development, odd story line, it was an awkward story that didn't excite or draw me in. I find myself annoyed. it was drawn out, until the end where it seems rushed. So many questions and oddities. Like, why does Margot refuse to drink wine? How does noone discover the diary for 250 years? who came up with the weird and nonsensical rules about the curse? how did her parents die? Why call the zombies the other family? still more questions.

Even more annoying and irritating is the narration. Very awful job. Better to buy the paperback if you really want to read this story. But, it's really bad.

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A Good Read.

Revisado: 01-01-23

I'm a J.R. Erickson fan and didn't realize it. When I look at my library, yup. I've listen to many of her stories. There were moments when I stopped. looked around to make sure I was safe. That's how thrilling it gets at times. Gloria's recount of how the PTSD and agoraphobia affect her is so hard breaking. It was a good book, although I thought a bit rushed at the end. Seemed like Detective Webb had a lot of responses, but questions still remained. Like how did Kelly know to look where she did? How did Jeff know when Gloria was at the cabin? Why did the cops not notice the guy following the girls in the pictures? Why hide Kelly, but not Wren? Why leave Wren exposed for someone to find her? How does Glo not know about Gwen? Still a good read.

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Annoying Story About a Dangerously Obessed Woman

Revisado: 12-26-22

Story about an annoying busy body, woman in an oppressively hostile village. Fran is no hero, just a nosy woman who caused a struggling family even more hardship.

Fran is an obessed woman, stalking a family. she runs past their house when she knows they're asleep. Calls the police when Mary rejects her. Convinced herself of wrongdoing as pretexts for continuing to harass this family because they have something she wants, their child.

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