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reubenalbatross 's review for:
None of This is True
by Lisa Jewell
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Before I get into the rant review, I do need to say that the audiobook for this was produced really well. The mixed media aspects were portrayed really interestingly, and brought the story to life.
Unfortunately, that's pretty much all the positivity I can give to this review. The more I think about this book, the worse I feel about it.
Almost from the beginning of the book I was annoyed by the plot because it felt so familiar. I don't know how many books I've read where the 'abused' wife is actually evil (The Housemaid by Freida McFadden immediately springs to mind), but it's a completely overdone premise. Not to mention it sets a dangerous precedent to not believe victims of domestic abuse.
The plot itself was pretty messy. There was absolutely no satisfaction at the end, and there were red herrings and loose threads that were never tied together. This was probably Jewell trying to increase the 'None of This is True' vibe the end of the book had, but to me it just felt like sloppy writing.
Alix really got on my nerves throughout the book. She was annoying and full of herself throughout, right up until the end. She constantly put her children in obvious danger, yet had to do it for 'the story'. She knew things were dodgy, yet decided fame was more worthwhile than her family's safety. But of course she’s the angel of the story.
I also felt that Jewell was trying to say something about the popularity of true crime, especially towards the end of the book, but for the life of me I could not figure out what point she was trying to make.
The whole book felt like it was villainising people with mental health issues. Of course the mentally ill person is 'evil' with a 'heart of stone'. To me it sounded a lot like Josie had autism (especially given Erin's diagnosis), while not getting any support from her supposed loved ones. Her mother admitted to not caring for her enough as a child, and then Walter basically abandoned her to be a single mother after sexually abusing her for years, no fucking wonder she cracked! If ONE person in Josie's life had actually given her the time of day when she was younger, none of this would have happened, but of course Jewell doesn't touch on this because she's apparently incapable of nuance.
Also, Erin REALLY didn't need to be autistic. It felt like a pretty problematic choice, especially as her diagnosis was used as a dramatic reveal. I know Josie is meant to be messed up, but infantilising her autistic daughter was so much worse than if she'd been neurotypical, though her being neurotypical wouldn't have affected the plot in any way. After all of the 'reveals' I also thought Josie hovering outside Erin's door all the time didn't fit into the narrative, something didn't match up there. And what the fuck was 'the smell'? Obviously a weird red herring Jewell thought we didn't need an answer for, or she was just implying that autistic people all have terrible hygiene?? Also, why didn't Erin just leave earlier??? She had more than enough money, her sister was obviously fine for them to live together, but it took years after Roxy leaving for it to happen? Clearly the autistic character was only functional when it suited Jewell.
And all of the above isn't even the worst of it. The most egregious thing in the whole book was Josie being blamed for a paedophile’s actions. However evil Josie supposedly is, Walter was STILL INVOLVED with an underage girl. He was still a 40+ year old sleeping with a 16-year-old, a 40+ year old getting involved with a 13-YEAR-OLD. Even if he allegedly wasn't grooming her, and was instead manipulated into a relationship BY A 13-YEAR-OLD, he's still in the wrong!!! She can't consent, and HE'S A FUCKING 40-YEAR-OLD MAN. But because he was a good father and Josie acted out as a kid it's all ok and his paedophilia is forgiven? So. Completely. Fucked.
Overall, this is a trashy tabloid read. It read fast, with a sensationalist plot, so I can see why the less discerning reader might like it. But please, I encourage anyone reading this review to think more deeply about the books you're reading, and what fucked messages authors are spreading.
Unfortunately, that's pretty much all the positivity I can give to this review. The more I think about this book, the worse I feel about it.
Almost from the beginning of the book I was annoyed by the plot because it felt so familiar. I don't know how many books I've read where the 'abused' wife is actually evil (The Housemaid by Freida McFadden immediately springs to mind), but it's a completely overdone premise. Not to mention it sets a dangerous precedent to not believe victims of domestic abuse.
The plot itself was pretty messy. There was absolutely no satisfaction at the end, and there were red herrings and loose threads that were never tied together. This was probably Jewell trying to increase the 'None of This is True' vibe the end of the book had, but to me it just felt like sloppy writing.
Alix really got on my nerves throughout the book. She was annoying and full of herself throughout, right up until the end. She constantly put her children in obvious danger, yet had to do it for 'the story'. She knew things were dodgy, yet decided fame was more worthwhile than her family's safety. But of course she’s the angel of the story.
I also felt that Jewell was trying to say something about the popularity of true crime, especially towards the end of the book, but for the life of me I could not figure out what point she was trying to make.
The whole book felt like it was villainising people with mental health issues. Of course the mentally ill person is 'evil' with a 'heart of stone'. To me it sounded a lot like Josie had autism (especially given Erin's diagnosis), while not getting any support from her supposed loved ones. Her mother admitted to not caring for her enough as a child, and then Walter basically abandoned her to be a single mother after sexually abusing her for years, no fucking wonder she cracked! If ONE person in Josie's life had actually given her the time of day when she was younger, none of this would have happened, but of course Jewell doesn't touch on this because she's apparently incapable of nuance.
Also, Erin REALLY didn't need to be autistic. It felt like a pretty problematic choice, especially as her diagnosis was used as a dramatic reveal. I know Josie is meant to be messed up, but infantilising her autistic daughter was so much worse than if she'd been neurotypical, though her being neurotypical wouldn't have affected the plot in any way. After all of the 'reveals' I also thought Josie hovering outside Erin's door all the time didn't fit into the narrative, something didn't match up there. And what the fuck was 'the smell'? Obviously a weird red herring Jewell thought we didn't need an answer for, or she was just implying that autistic people all have terrible hygiene?? Also, why didn't Erin just leave earlier??? She had more than enough money, her sister was obviously fine for them to live together, but it took years after Roxy leaving for it to happen? Clearly the autistic character was only functional when it suited Jewell.
And all of the above isn't even the worst of it. The most egregious thing in the whole book was Josie being blamed for a paedophile’s actions. However evil Josie supposedly is, Walter was STILL INVOLVED with an underage girl. He was still a 40+ year old sleeping with a 16-year-old, a 40+ year old getting involved with a 13-YEAR-OLD. Even if he allegedly wasn't grooming her, and was instead manipulated into a relationship BY A 13-YEAR-OLD, he's still in the wrong!!! She can't consent, and HE'S A FUCKING 40-YEAR-OLD MAN. But because he was a good father and Josie acted out as a kid it's all ok and his paedophilia is forgiven? So. Completely. Fucked.
Overall, this is a trashy tabloid read. It read fast, with a sensationalist plot, so I can see why the less discerning reader might like it. But please, I encourage anyone reading this review to think more deeply about the books you're reading, and what fucked messages authors are spreading.