Scan barcode
charlierose22's review
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? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
rachhenderson's review
4.0
Wintering is a very unique novel. There's a lot of Australian mystery/suspense books set in the hot outback, whereas this was set in Tasmania in winter. (Reading it in May in Melbourne, I could identify!). The descriptions of the scenery and cold had me feeling like I was there.
The story itself uses Tasmanian tigers to represent domestic violence. At times it was a little unbelieveable, but overall a very interesting read.
The story itself uses Tasmanian tigers to represent domestic violence. At times it was a little unbelieveable, but overall a very interesting read.
jessicaleeparker's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
textpublishing's review
‘At once a supernatural thriller and a sharp meditation on the legacy abusive men leave behind.’
Readings
Readings
tasmanian_bibliophile's review
3.0
‘We’ve found a car, miss, but there’s no sign of a driver.’
Jessica lives in southern Tasmania with her boyfriend Matthew. She works as a tour guide at a cave complex and is just finishing a PhD on glow worms. Despite living in this small community for some years, Jessica does not know many of the people there. Matthew does. And then Matthew disappears. His car is found abandoned; there is a mysterious image on his ‘phone.
What happened to Matthew? Distraught, Jessica tries to find answers. There are some in the community who believe that a Tasmanian Tiger might be involved. Jessica meets a group of women each of whom saw an animal like a Tasmanian Tiger about the time that their own partners when missing.
As I read, I wondered what Jessica saw in Matthew, and wondered whether each of the other missing men was of a similar impulsive and controlling nature. While trying to find Matthew, Jessica learns more about him from those in the community who seemingly knew him better. But it’s the group (coven) of mysterious women who almost had me throwing the book away unfinished. I struggle when suspense slips into supernatural.
I kept reading because Krissy Kneen’s writing held me in the setting even as I rejected aspects of the journey. If you believe in just deserts, and don’t mind suspending disbelief and a hint of the supernatural, you may find this story more satisfying than I did. I want to visit the Hastings Cave, but I won’t be looking for Tasmanian Tigers.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
crashsamdicoot's review
2.0
Who DOESN’T want to fuck a Tasmanian tiger?!
Me. I don’t know what I was expecting. Picked up for the location and the story of a missing husband.
Really not what I expected.
Me. I don’t know what I was expecting. Picked up for the location and the story of a missing husband.
Really not what I expected.
oanh_1's review
4.0
Atmospheric and heart-rending. Not sure about how it all unravels but I don’t think that matters a great deal (I think that’s the point?)
Well worth a read.
Well worth a read.
gaysandmurder's review
5.0
An look at domestic violence through evocatively written fiction – 5.0 stars
I think this is the most uncomfortable I have ever been reading a book. If you are just looking through good reads reviews it has to be stated that this book deals with domestic violence on the page in basically every form. I don’t think that books talking about domestic violence need it on the page to be good. But I think one of the reasons I liked this book so much is that Krissy Keen went there.
In general, the writing style is so good. It is simple and easy to read while being evocative of what is happening. The emotional and mental health side of Jessica trying to survive after Matthew went missing is also great. I don’t know if Krissy Keen has had similar experiences, but I know that she has had similar feelings.
Yes, I think the creepy/supernatural aspects of this book could have been more to my taste, but I don’t know if it would have worked for this story. I also don’t think a five-star book is flawless.
I think this is the most uncomfortable I have ever been reading a book. If you are just looking through good reads reviews it has to be stated that this book deals with domestic violence on the page in basically every form. I don’t think that books talking about domestic violence need it on the page to be good. But I think one of the reasons I liked this book so much is that Krissy Keen went there.
In general, the writing style is so good. It is simple and easy to read while being evocative of what is happening. The emotional and mental health side of Jessica trying to survive after Matthew went missing is also great. I don’t know if Krissy Keen has had similar experiences, but I know that she has had similar feelings.
Yes, I think the creepy/supernatural aspects of this book could have been more to my taste, but I don’t know if it would have worked for this story. I also don’t think a five-star book is flawless.
theveryhungrythesaurus's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
kaydee's review
5.0
A domestic/small town drama wrapped up in the supernatural. So atmospheric and evocative, it was absolutely no surprise to read in the acknowledgments that Kneen has already written the screenplay for this.
Definitely one of my fiction reads of the year.
Definitely one of my fiction reads of the year.