Reviews

The Things We Thought We Knew by Mahsuda Snaith

billypilgrim's review against another edition

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slow-paced

3.5

izwiz's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

sarahhamatera's review

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dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

alicecharlotte's review against another edition

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4.0

There were a lot of things about Ravine and Marianne's friendship in this book that reminded me of my own childhood friendships; it has made me very nostalgic! I think this book does a lot and does it successfully: friendship, race, poverty, family and illness. I only gave it four stars because I wasn't overly satisfied by the ending.

curlyhairedbooklover's review

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5.0

It was really beautiful.

thedreaminghare's review

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1.0

Picked this up at the library since it seemed like an unconventional mystery and got halfway through before I realized it was a DNF for me.⁣

I found Ravine so unlikeable. I understand that she's living with chronic pain which is extremely hard no matter the situation - however it doesn't excuse her utter selfishness and disregard for her mother in particular.⁣

The pace was slow and though the narrative style was interesting, it wasn't enough to hold my attention or make me want to find out what happened to Marianne and Jonathan during their childhood.⁣ The glimpses of the past were the most interesting part of the book, and every secondary character introduced was more compelling than the protagonist.

If you're looking for a slow paced mystery and don't mind a selfish protag and a narrative that bounces between past and present this may be for you.⁣

After half the book I just wasn't invested enough to continue.

rachelfc610's review

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3.0

I'm not sure what I was expecting when I read the blurb for this novel, but it was completely different to what I got. The plot was slow and I found it difficult to keep picking up to read but as I reached the second half of the book, the story came into its own and I really enjoyed it. It's hard to review without giving too much away but I loved Ravine's relationship with one of the central characters. The mystery alone kept me reading but the lovely prose was a bonus.
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