Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

Our House by Louise Candlish

4 reviews

ladycranstonkc's review

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Gun violence, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Addiction, Alcohol, Suicide attempt, Misogyny, Car accident, Suicide, Self harm, Sexual content, and Murder

leahg22's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Murder, Drug use, Death, Suicide, Abandonment, Drug abuse, Sexual content, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Cursing, Child death, Addiction, Pregnancy, and Toxic relationship

lukerik's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I saw the first line and immediately had to read the whole book.  There’s something about the concept that I find frightening.  It’s an entertaining book, very readably written.  Excellent ending.

It’s a 200 page plot with some bloat, and sits at 400 and something pages so it’ll get you from Heathrow to the Costa del Sol where you can lay it aside while you tap you first vat of Prosecco.  You’ll probably finish it on the beach one day, so pack a spare.  I understand that contemporary thrillers need to be this length.  You pay your money and you get your worth, but it could be tightened up quite a bit.

My only other complaint is the way it’s been compiled.  There are two third person, present tense POVs, his and hers, intercut with two epistolary sections, his and hers giving flashbacks.  That opening scene is cut back to throughout the novel so the tension of it, which could really have built sweetly, is undercut almost immediately.  Again, I understand why Candlish has taken the approach she has.  Everything needs to dovetail on the final paragraph without the slack-jawed amongst us having to remember too far back.  Also, such short sections mean you never have to read for more than a couple of minutes before breaking off to screech ‘Beckham, leave Britney ALONE!’

I think Candlish has sometimes sacrificed artistry for readability.  Entertaining though, and what more can we ask?

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Car accident, Child death, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Vomit, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Infidelity, and Alcohol

hannahnott's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Stalking