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gabbyscarlet's review
1.0
Congratulations! You’ve officially made it to my WORST read of 2022. So boring and predictable.
popgoesbitty's review
3.0
CWs: sexual assault, murder
I'll start at the beginning.
When this book deserved 1 star:
The first 150 pages of this book (so, around 50%?) were some of the most boring, frustrating, unlikable pages I've ever read. It's understandable why this book, despite its buzz and critical praise, has a relatively low GR rating. It simply wasn't enjoyable! The protagonist is written as what I assume to be a satirical asshole, but there's so much humanizing of his character, you're left to expect no relief to his assholery. There's a confusing, split time frame that feels pointless, plus a slew of characters to keep track of that feel like they might be important later on, but you're never really sure. Overall, it was a stressful reading experience that almost made me quit.
When this book deserved 5 stars:
Once Lippman got the excessive, seemingly pointless character building out of her system, Dream Girl transformed into a smart, slicing thriller in a matter of paragraphs. The action sensibly picks up, secrets are revealed in a timely, satisfying manner, and everything starts to matter...finally. I remember pausing while reading around this time and audibly saying "what a shame the beginning of this book is so bad," to myself. The second half truly had the gusto to place the novel in my top ten of the year. But alas, that first half dragged it down to almost irreversible lows.
That being said, Dream Girl had a really great climax and denouement. So great, it redeemed the entire reading experience for me. Looking back, I almost feel bad giving it 3 stars because of how excellent the resolution was... but I had to meet somewhere in the middle.
I'm someone who likes to know pretty much nothing before I dive into a book, particularly with more cookie-cutter genres like thrillers and romances. However, this is one of the very rare times when I will advise anyone who reads this book to have a pretty good idea of the synopsis (sans spoilers and twists, obviously) before diving into it. Without the looming #MeToo context I read about prior to starting Dream Girl that promised to tie it together, I would have undoubtedly DNFd it.
I'll start at the beginning.
When this book deserved 1 star:
The first 150 pages of this book (so, around 50%?) were some of the most boring, frustrating, unlikable pages I've ever read. It's understandable why this book, despite its buzz and critical praise, has a relatively low GR rating. It simply wasn't enjoyable! The protagonist is written as what I assume to be a satirical asshole, but there's so much humanizing of his character, you're left to expect no relief to his assholery. There's a confusing, split time frame that feels pointless, plus a slew of characters to keep track of that feel like they might be important later on, but you're never really sure. Overall, it was a stressful reading experience that almost made me quit.
When this book deserved 5 stars:
Once Lippman got the excessive, seemingly pointless character building out of her system, Dream Girl transformed into a smart, slicing thriller in a matter of paragraphs. The action sensibly picks up, secrets are revealed in a timely, satisfying manner, and everything starts to matter...finally. I remember pausing while reading around this time and audibly saying "what a shame the beginning of this book is so bad," to myself. The second half truly had the gusto to place the novel in my top ten of the year. But alas, that first half dragged it down to almost irreversible lows.
That being said, Dream Girl had a really great climax and denouement. So great, it redeemed the entire reading experience for me. Looking back, I almost feel bad giving it 3 stars because of how excellent the resolution was... but I had to meet somewhere in the middle.
I'm someone who likes to know pretty much nothing before I dive into a book, particularly with more cookie-cutter genres like thrillers and romances. However, this is one of the very rare times when I will advise anyone who reads this book to have a pretty good idea of the synopsis (sans spoilers and twists, obviously) before diving into it. Without the looming #MeToo context I read about prior to starting Dream Girl that promised to tie it together, I would have undoubtedly DNFd it.
helloooooree's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
brooke_review's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have discovered through reading Laura Lippman’s more recent books that she is fast becoming a favorite author of mine. I love her observant style of writing and how she so uncannily and casually uncovers truths about people and society. Her novel Dream Girl almost reads more like a novella, throwing the reader into the midst of a situation and letting them discover what may.
In this case, the reader is introduced to Gerry Andersen, a best-selling author who finds himself laid up in a hospital bed in his home in Baltimore after an accident. The story is told in both the present and past, with the reader learning more and more about Gerry’s unsavory, predator-esque personality, while also revealing how Gerry has come to find himself in his current situation. Readers will soon discover that not all is as it seems because Gerry is receiving phone calls, letters, and visions about a character in his most popular book - his “dream girl,” Aubrey. Just who is Aubrey, and what does she want? It’s a race against the clock to find out …
The ratings for Dream Girl are a mixed bag, and.I generally feel the same, although I find myself viewing the novel more favorably than many. However, I am sticking with 3 stars because when compared with other 4 star novels that I have read and reviewed lately, I find that Dream Girl doesn’t quite hit as high of a mark. Dream Girl’s storyline is certainly intriguing; its characters despicable; its twists and turns outlandish. It just feels a bit all over the place in its storytelling, and I had to suspend disbelief several times throughout the novel to continue forward. In all, it is a worthy read if you are a fan of Laura Lippman, but if you have not read any of her other books, give one of those a try before this one.
As for the audiobook version of this novel, Jason Culp’s narration is believable and spot-on. I felt like I was listening to Gerry Andersen himself. Culp does a fine job of fleshing out Andersen in all of his idiosyncrasies and machinations.
In this case, the reader is introduced to Gerry Andersen, a best-selling author who finds himself laid up in a hospital bed in his home in Baltimore after an accident. The story is told in both the present and past, with the reader learning more and more about Gerry’s unsavory, predator-esque personality, while also revealing how Gerry has come to find himself in his current situation. Readers will soon discover that not all is as it seems because Gerry is receiving phone calls, letters, and visions about a character in his most popular book - his “dream girl,” Aubrey. Just who is Aubrey, and what does she want? It’s a race against the clock to find out …
The ratings for Dream Girl are a mixed bag, and.I generally feel the same, although I find myself viewing the novel more favorably than many. However, I am sticking with 3 stars because when compared with other 4 star novels that I have read and reviewed lately, I find that Dream Girl doesn’t quite hit as high of a mark. Dream Girl’s storyline is certainly intriguing; its characters despicable; its twists and turns outlandish. It just feels a bit all over the place in its storytelling, and I had to suspend disbelief several times throughout the novel to continue forward. In all, it is a worthy read if you are a fan of Laura Lippman, but if you have not read any of her other books, give one of those a try before this one.
As for the audiobook version of this novel, Jason Culp’s narration is believable and spot-on. I felt like I was listening to Gerry Andersen himself. Culp does a fine job of fleshing out Andersen in all of his idiosyncrasies and machinations.
cakeybarkid's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
whitneykey's review
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5