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nmellor's review against another edition
slow-paced
2.5
2.5 rounded up. The plot was intriguing at first but got pretty ridiculous towards the end. The plot felt quite dragged out and there was quite a lot of sections where it felt like nothing was really happening. I didn't really like or resonate with any of the characters and felt that they weren't fleshed out enough. I enjoyed the setting and that's honestly about it.
gkelch's review against another edition
3.0
Mayhew tells an original, evocative and well-plotted story. This novel was a deep look into the psychology and gender politics of an isolated UK island community. The author describes the religious fervor, hypocrisy, and fear of the occult that often seen in historical fiction, but with the twist of a modern day setting, and an ending that's reflective of today's attitudes toward sexism and movements against sexual violence. For me, the novel was a little lengthy for how much action took place; I expected a bit more of a thriller and the shifts between narrators and timelines were at times a bit confusing. Still, unlike anything else I've read recently. I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
arrowonred's review against another edition
3.0
3.5. I expect this will be an HBO limited series at some point. I love a book that has a map at the beginning, but some aspects of the story just didn’t work for me, and the ending left me deflated. Overall I enjoyed reading it!
ankysbookbubble's review against another edition
2.0
For me, Impossible Causes was one of those books that sounded way better in the synopsis than it did in the actual text. I'd expected a chilling murder, a set of suspects both from and outside of the Island.
Instead, I got a narration that never did manage to capture my interest. The POVs kepts switching, from first to third, from this character to that, and it made the story harder to follow than it already was.
I tried to give it a few chances, but each time I had to put the book down after a chapter or two. I guess the book just wasn't for me.
Even so, I'd like to thank Bloomsbury publishing for giving me a review copy of this book, and a chance to read it. I may not have enjoyed the book, but I do believe it had a potential for audience that enjoys the kind of small town mystery it features.
Instead, I got a narration that never did manage to capture my interest. The POVs kepts switching, from first to third, from this character to that, and it made the story harder to follow than it already was.
I tried to give it a few chances, but each time I had to put the book down after a chapter or two. I guess the book just wasn't for me.
Even so, I'd like to thank Bloomsbury publishing for giving me a review copy of this book, and a chance to read it. I may not have enjoyed the book, but I do believe it had a potential for audience that enjoys the kind of small town mystery it features.
ivorymusic82's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Death, Child abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Homophobia
owlyreadsalot's review against another edition
2.0
This one here was a little difficult for me, as there was a story to tell and one to discover, but it took way too long to really get into it. And believe me, I tried. Especially with those first chapters, but it was touch and go there for the most part. If anything, the mystery that surrounded Lark island was something that needed solving. And so, I kept on reading.
That's when some of the mystery started unravelling, and more of the actual story came into focus. It had its interesting parts, but again, sadly, not enough. Not that it wasn't an intriguing concept, just not done in a way to wholly keep me invested. That says a lot, because I very much tried to connect to many of the girls here, their story was definitely one to tell. Somehow, knowing how heartbreaking their lives were, the words on the page left me a little empty.
The concern that kept growing for me, was if it was ever going to change around. And, it seems, that most of that change came in the last few chapters of this novel. It picked up the pace a little too late in the story though, but glad that at least it gave me another reason to finish this off. Because, everything gets wrapped up in those chapters, revealing to us the rest of the craziness and darkness that surrounds Lark and those that inhabit it.
Be aware, that the craziness involved in this novel is filled to the brim. There are a lot of twisted religious views, women treated like servants of man (in every single way), traumatized youth, hidden secrets that would make one wish they didn't exist in any imagined world. That's only a portion of this novel, and for me, along with the slow burn, couldn't keep my enthusiasm for this book. I'm aware that's how it's supposed to be, but it never ended up working for me.
***I received this copy from Bloomsbury Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***
That's when some of the mystery started unravelling, and more of the actual story came into focus. It had its interesting parts, but again, sadly, not enough. Not that it wasn't an intriguing concept, just not done in a way to wholly keep me invested. That says a lot, because I very much tried to connect to many of the girls here, their story was definitely one to tell. Somehow, knowing how heartbreaking their lives were, the words on the page left me a little empty.
The concern that kept growing for me, was if it was ever going to change around. And, it seems, that most of that change came in the last few chapters of this novel. It picked up the pace a little too late in the story though, but glad that at least it gave me another reason to finish this off. Because, everything gets wrapped up in those chapters, revealing to us the rest of the craziness and darkness that surrounds Lark and those that inhabit it.
Be aware, that the craziness involved in this novel is filled to the brim. There are a lot of twisted religious views, women treated like servants of man (in every single way), traumatized youth, hidden secrets that would make one wish they didn't exist in any imagined world. That's only a portion of this novel, and for me, along with the slow burn, couldn't keep my enthusiasm for this book. I'm aware that's how it's supposed to be, but it never ended up working for me.
***I received this copy from Bloomsbury Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***
per_fictionist's review against another edition
4.0
IMPOSSIBLE CAUSES by Julie Mayhew brings to us the story of LARK,a small island isolated from modernization and completely cut off from the mainland.
What happens when a stranger sets foot on the island, that is already carrying baggage of its own secrets, lies and deceits that is.
I personally love books that are centered on small towns and with a hint of intrigue to them. So, when I picked up Impossible Causes, I obviously liked it. The writing sort of makes you yearn for the book, but the characters are a whole different story.
With different sets of characters most of them with a foggy arc and questionable decisions, Julie definitely has tried to justify each and every one of them.
But what bothered me was my inability to connect with them. I was indifferent for almost all of them and only the story was my saving grace!
Impossible Causes is definitely atmospheric and goes the extra mile making it feel hauntingly real and has a climax that is unsettling for the most parts.
The author captives the readers through the element of suspense that seeps in almost every paragraph of the book. Be it in terms of the mystery surrounding the ELDEST GIRLS, VIOLA and her mother, the stranger from outside or LEAH or the overtly religious and strict values of Lark itself.
I found myself immersed in this FLAWED story.
What happens when a stranger sets foot on the island, that is already carrying baggage of its own secrets, lies and deceits that is.
I personally love books that are centered on small towns and with a hint of intrigue to them. So, when I picked up Impossible Causes, I obviously liked it. The writing sort of makes you yearn for the book, but the characters are a whole different story.
With different sets of characters most of them with a foggy arc and questionable decisions, Julie definitely has tried to justify each and every one of them.
But what bothered me was my inability to connect with them. I was indifferent for almost all of them and only the story was my saving grace!
Impossible Causes is definitely atmospheric and goes the extra mile making it feel hauntingly real and has a climax that is unsettling for the most parts.
The author captives the readers through the element of suspense that seeps in almost every paragraph of the book. Be it in terms of the mystery surrounding the ELDEST GIRLS, VIOLA and her mother, the stranger from outside or LEAH or the overtly religious and strict values of Lark itself.
I found myself immersed in this FLAWED story.
anna_may's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you to Net Galley for sending me a copy in exchange for a honest review.
This was a very intriguing plot, but I felt it could have been executed a little better. For me, there wasn't much of an opportunity to connect with or get to know the characters, and I didn't like the religious aspects of it, as the religion itself wasn't truly explained.
The changes in POVs and also time jumps back and fourth were a little confusing and didn't flow very well.
The book follows an island community, based on an island far off the coast of the UK called Lark, that is closed off from the outside world for around 7 months of the year as it is unapproachable by air or sea due to weather. The community is incredibly religious and misogynistic. We follow Viola who moves to the island with her mother to get over some trauma on the mainland, as well as one of the school teachers who has always lived on Lark.
One of the aspects I really didn't like was that the women and girls on the island, although they make up the majority of the population on Lark, are treated by the men in a very condescending way. The girls are patted on the head, their cheeks are pinched and they're spoken to as if they're not very bright simply because they're female, and then when the girls reach 16 years old they're suddenly seen as women and finally old enough to be lusted over (which is...no. They're still children).
There's one pub on the whole island and women are only allowed in there at the weekend - when the 3 girls on the island who have turned 16, all of the pub patrons suddenly think it's okay to talk about them in a sexual way and how they'd give 'them all one'. This didn't sit well with me because there was no point where the author mentioned that this was not appropriate. No character commented how that was wrong and I just didn't like it, probably more so because it was a modern setting and we know as a society that this behaviour is wrong.
I really did want to enjoy this one, but I just couldn't get into it. Sadly, I wouldn't recommend this but this has all just been my opinion - if you like the sound of this book then by all means give it a go and let me know what you thought!
Trigger warnings for misogyny, sexualisation of minors, explicit descriptions of sex.
This was a very intriguing plot, but I felt it could have been executed a little better. For me, there wasn't much of an opportunity to connect with or get to know the characters, and I didn't like the religious aspects of it, as the religion itself wasn't truly explained.
The changes in POVs and also time jumps back and fourth were a little confusing and didn't flow very well.
The book follows an island community, based on an island far off the coast of the UK called Lark, that is closed off from the outside world for around 7 months of the year as it is unapproachable by air or sea due to weather. The community is incredibly religious and misogynistic. We follow Viola who moves to the island with her mother to get over some trauma on the mainland, as well as one of the school teachers who has always lived on Lark.
One of the aspects I really didn't like was that the women and girls on the island, although they make up the majority of the population on Lark, are treated by the men in a very condescending way. The girls are patted on the head, their cheeks are pinched and they're spoken to as if they're not very bright simply because they're female, and then when the girls reach 16 years old they're suddenly seen as women and finally old enough to be lusted over (which is...no. They're still children).
There's one pub on the whole island and women are only allowed in there at the weekend - when the 3 girls on the island who have turned 16, all of the pub patrons suddenly think it's okay to talk about them in a sexual way and how they'd give 'them all one'. This didn't sit well with me because there was no point where the author mentioned that this was not appropriate. No character commented how that was wrong and I just didn't like it, probably more so because it was a modern setting and we know as a society that this behaviour is wrong.
I really did want to enjoy this one, but I just couldn't get into it. Sadly, I wouldn't recommend this but this has all just been my opinion - if you like the sound of this book then by all means give it a go and let me know what you thought!
Trigger warnings for misogyny, sexualisation of minors, explicit descriptions of sex.
rachelwestphal03's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book - kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. However, the end felt a little anti-climactic to me and I was left disappointed. The dramatic ending was good, but given the flow of the story I felt it could have been better.