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bookclubbitches 's review for:
All Things Cease to Appear
by Elizabeth Brundage
I'm giving this book a 2.5 and rounding up to 3 for the sake of Goodreads.
***Warning: harsh review ahead..........***
If I didn't have to read this for an assignment I would have DNF'D THIS BOOK SO HARD.
First of all, the style of this book..... Why are there no quotation marks? That's not even a style choice, it's just annoying AF for the reader! I couldn't even make it to chapter 2. I used an audible credit to get the audiobook so I could at least listen to the story without being stressed by the horrendous "stylistic" choice.
Secondly, why is this book labeled as a thriller? A mystery? WHERE? I am so confused at why anyone would categorize this as such. Yes, there are murders that take place in this book. And YES, they are unsolved. That is the extent of the mystery. It sure as hell was not thrilling by any means. This book read more as a boring historical fiction.
Third point: these characters are all so unlikable. George Clare is a repugnant man who makes terrible choices and hurts everyone he encounters one way or another. Catherine Clare is a wimpy pushover who can't stand up for herself. I understand this book was set in the 1970's and I'm sure there weren't as many resources out there to help single mothers. But oh my god George put up so many red flags!! Catherine was just trying to be a good mom but UGH I just wanted to shake her and tell her to get out! Franny was a little spot of joy throughout this story. I loved how it went full circle and she got to revisit the farmhouse as an adult.
Fourth and last point: why was there even a mention of ghosts in this book? There are so many amazing paranormal books out there, that this one just really fell flat. I'm not even an author and I kept imagining better scenarios than what I was reading. Other than a chill in the room and one instance that seemed like Ella was there with Catherine.... I see no reason why there was any indication that this is a ghost story. There was no Ghost-Ella out there helping Catherine, just a weird vibe in the house.
I feel the need to apologize after writing such a scathing review but honestly, this book was so odd and mundane. I'm not sure why I'm so bothered by it.
***Warning: harsh review ahead..........***
If I didn't have to read this for an assignment I would have DNF'D THIS BOOK SO HARD.
First of all, the style of this book..... Why are there no quotation marks? That's not even a style choice, it's just annoying AF for the reader! I couldn't even make it to chapter 2. I used an audible credit to get the audiobook so I could at least listen to the story without being stressed by the horrendous "stylistic" choice.
Secondly, why is this book labeled as a thriller? A mystery? WHERE? I am so confused at why anyone would categorize this as such. Yes, there are murders that take place in this book. And YES, they are unsolved. That is the extent of the mystery. It sure as hell was not thrilling by any means. This book read more as a boring historical fiction.
Third point: these characters are all so unlikable. George Clare is a repugnant man who makes terrible choices and hurts everyone he encounters one way or another. Catherine Clare is a wimpy pushover who can't stand up for herself. I understand this book was set in the 1970's and I'm sure there weren't as many resources out there to help single mothers. But oh my god George put up so many red flags!! Catherine was just trying to be a good mom but UGH I just wanted to shake her and tell her to get out! Franny was a little spot of joy throughout this story. I loved how it went full circle and she got to revisit the farmhouse as an adult.
Fourth and last point: why was there even a mention of ghosts in this book? There are so many amazing paranormal books out there, that this one just really fell flat. I'm not even an author and I kept imagining better scenarios than what I was reading. Other than a chill in the room and one instance that seemed like Ella was there with Catherine.... I see no reason why there was any indication that this is a ghost story. There was no Ghost-Ella out there helping Catherine, just a weird vibe in the house.
I feel the need to apologize after writing such a scathing review but honestly, this book was so odd and mundane. I'm not sure why I'm so bothered by it.