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bhnmt61's review against another edition
5.0
Folly is the story of Rae Newborn, a woman who has endured far more than anyone should have to, ending with several months spent in a psychiatric hospital. What worked for me in this book: Rae Newborn's slow, intricate path from mental illness back to strength and wholeness. Beautifully and convincingly done, and for that I give it five stars. I wasn't all that excited to read a book about mental illness, but after about fifty pages or so, I couldn't put it down. This is easily the best book I've read so far this year.
But it is a slow read, and while I can enjoy that in some novels, in a novel of suspense, it was a bit frustrating at times. Of course, healing from mental illness isn't quick, and that part of the story wouldn't have been convincing if she'd sped through it. Also, although it isn't written in first person, the novel is told almost entirely from Rae's point of view, so that we never really get to know any of the other characters--which ends up being both a strength and a weakness. As the focus of the book, Rae is enormously compelling, but there are a gazillion other characters and none of them are developed beyond the basics. Also there are not one but two important characters who don't appear until the last fifty pages, something that always bugs me. It gives the ending a rabbit-pulled-out-of-the-hat feel, which isn't helped by a couple of coincidences of timing that would have had me rolling my eyes if I could have pulled them away from the page long enough to do it.
Still, the warmth and intelligence of the writing made this book a winner for me. I just discovered King this year, and I'm slowly savoring her work. I'm so happy to know I still have a bunch more to read--the good thing about discovering a favorite new author who already has a bunch of novels in print.
But it is a slow read, and while I can enjoy that in some novels, in a novel of suspense, it was a bit frustrating at times. Of course, healing from mental illness isn't quick, and that part of the story wouldn't have been convincing if she'd sped through it. Also, although it isn't written in first person, the novel is told almost entirely from Rae's point of view, so that we never really get to know any of the other characters--which ends up being both a strength and a weakness. As the focus of the book, Rae is enormously compelling, but there are a gazillion other characters and none of them are developed beyond the basics. Also there are not one but two important characters who don't appear until the last fifty pages, something that always bugs me. It gives the ending a rabbit-pulled-out-of-the-hat feel, which isn't helped by a couple of coincidences of timing that would have had me rolling my eyes if I could have pulled them away from the page long enough to do it.
Still, the warmth and intelligence of the writing made this book a winner for me. I just discovered King this year, and I'm slowly savoring her work. I'm so happy to know I still have a bunch more to read--the good thing about discovering a favorite new author who already has a bunch of novels in print.
therealkathryn's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting characters but, like many books from well-known authors these days, the story could have used a good editor.
puppyphant's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this novel from the beginning to end, including all the details about building. It was cosy, despite the dark plot, and interesting, despite the slow pace. But, I was a little disappointed the climax was just one chapter, and that I was never given a reaction by certain characters to aspects of the mystery around the island. Maybe I will get some aftermath in the next book in the series.
johanna620's review against another edition
3.0
I thought the idea of losing your mind but realizing some “hallucinations” might be part of reality was fascinating. The descriptions of building a house, however, felt tedious and overdone. Could have spent a lot less time on that.
pdxpiney's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Strong middle-aged female protagonist healing from grief, family conflict, violence, depression, and suicidality. Mature and insightful handling of these difficult topics. Slow-burn mystery immersed in a stunning landscape. Rae faces many struggles but is always herself: smart, strong, creative, willful, capable.
coffeebuff22's review against another edition
Too slow for me…..so much internal dialogue as she is alone on the island.
vireogirl's review against another edition
5.0
A lot of dark themes, but well-handled. Had some twists I didn’t expect. The perspectives on mental illness and family issues will leave me pondering. Very well written.
lian_tanner's review against another edition
5.0
This book pairs with 'Keeping Watch', and I've just reread both of them. I think King does some of her best writing in these two books. They're not easy reads - she's dealing with mental illness and trauma and loss and recovery, but they are deeply affecting.
'Folly' is deceptively slow. A lot of the book is about the physical rebuilding of a house, but I don't think there was a single point where I grew impatient or bored, though I have little interest in building. The thing is, King makes it interesting, makes it all part of what's happening. And that slow ratcheting up of tension, as you realise there is far more going on than you thought, is masterful. This is a book I'll come back to again and again, as are 'Keeping Watch' and the first three in the Mary Russell series.
'Folly' is deceptively slow. A lot of the book is about the physical rebuilding of a house, but I don't think there was a single point where I grew impatient or bored, though I have little interest in building. The thing is, King makes it interesting, makes it all part of what's happening. And that slow ratcheting up of tension, as you realise there is far more going on than you thought, is masterful. This is a book I'll come back to again and again, as are 'Keeping Watch' and the first three in the Mary Russell series.
lazygal's review
2.0
Another psychological thriller that's less of either - the scary bits don't come until the very end, and by then it's pretty obvious what's going on.
Rae has her Watchers, voices and noises that drove her to attempt suicide following the accident that killed her husband and daughter and the attack/near-rape a few months later. After spending time in a mental hospital, she finally has the health and direction to attempt to rebuilt the house her great-uncle built on a remote island in the San Juan Strait. There are still Watchers, but slowly she finds the work healing on an emotional level - there's also her growing relationships with Nikki, Ed and Jerry.
She's also haunted by the problem of her son-in-law, a shady businessman determined to fleece her out of her money (or prevent her from seeing her granddaughter), and the guilt of not being a better mother to her elder daughter. All of this could have added up to many more flashes of mental terror and questioning, but instead we get long - and I do mean long - passages about the building/rebuilding of the house and her life on Folly. The same applies to her finding the bones of her Great-Uncle Desmond (who supposedly disappeared in New Mexico, not on the island).
While this is well-written, the creepy terror 'noises-that-go-bump'/'am-I-going-mad?' factor just isn't there.
Rae has her Watchers, voices and noises that drove her to attempt suicide following the accident that killed her husband and daughter and the attack/near-rape a few months later. After spending time in a mental hospital, she finally has the health and direction to attempt to rebuilt the house her great-uncle built on a remote island in the San Juan Strait. There are still Watchers, but slowly she finds the work healing on an emotional level - there's also her growing relationships with Nikki, Ed and Jerry.
She's also haunted by the problem of her son-in-law, a shady businessman determined to fleece her out of her money (or prevent her from seeing her granddaughter), and the guilt of not being a better mother to her elder daughter. All of this could have added up to many more flashes of mental terror and questioning, but instead we get long - and I do mean long - passages about the building/rebuilding of the house and her life on Folly. The same applies to her finding the bones of her Great-Uncle Desmond (who supposedly disappeared in New Mexico, not on the island).
While this is well-written, the creepy terror 'noises-that-go-bump'/'am-I-going-mad?' factor just isn't there.