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bernluvsbooks 's review for:
Pretty Ugly Lies
by Pamela Crane
Pretty Ugly Lies by Pamela Crane is a chilling look at the dark side of motherhood
The story is told via 4 multiple POVs - all women who are wives & mothers. On the outside they look like you or me - dutiful mothers & wives who are taking care of their families. The real story lies beneath the pretty exterior - those darker feelings and emotions we normally keep hidden and/or suppress. Know what I mean? I know you do because we've all been there. Think of those hard days where you feel overworked, under appreciated, overlooked and it feels like nothing you do is right or enough. Well this book doesn't shy away from any of it! It takes all those emotions and heightens them.
"But darkness hid behind closed doors, climbed up the walls, wove a web that would eventually entrap them in misery."
The books opens up with with a chillingly grisly murder scene - a family annihilated. We don't know who committed the heinous act but slowly, the tale is spun and we find ourselves taken in by these womens' stories. All the while, we are left to question - who finally snapped and became a monster?
"I became a snake shedding its skin as I fed on my anger. I dropped the mask that I hid behind, letting my inner monster loose."
Crane's writing is gripping and raw in her portrayal of marriage and motherhood. She doesn't shy away from the ugliness that can reside under the facade. In my opinion, she puts it ALL out there! The story is heavy and touches on kidnapping, lies, secrets, infidelity, caring for children with special needs, homosexuality and even psychological disorders but it's also very readable. I found it easy to connect with these women despite the complicated subject matter.
There were a few things that I feel could have been done better and I had to suspend my disbelief a bit for the way some things were handled but overall, I really enjoyed the story. The premise of the book was compelling and it was definitely a darker look at motherhood. We hear stories of women who "snap" or commit atrocities and wonder - how could they do that? Crane offers us an interesting peek into the lives of such women.
Thank you Pamela Crane, Bloodhound Books & Netgalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of Pretty Ugly Lies which will be widely available on 7/18/18. This review is my honest opinion and I'm happy to share it with you all.
The story is told via 4 multiple POVs - all women who are wives & mothers. On the outside they look like you or me - dutiful mothers & wives who are taking care of their families. The real story lies beneath the pretty exterior - those darker feelings and emotions we normally keep hidden and/or suppress. Know what I mean? I know you do because we've all been there. Think of those hard days where you feel overworked, under appreciated, overlooked and it feels like nothing you do is right or enough. Well this book doesn't shy away from any of it! It takes all those emotions and heightens them.
"But darkness hid behind closed doors, climbed up the walls, wove a web that would eventually entrap them in misery."
The books opens up with with a chillingly grisly murder scene - a family annihilated. We don't know who committed the heinous act but slowly, the tale is spun and we find ourselves taken in by these womens' stories. All the while, we are left to question - who finally snapped and became a monster?
"I became a snake shedding its skin as I fed on my anger. I dropped the mask that I hid behind, letting my inner monster loose."
Crane's writing is gripping and raw in her portrayal of marriage and motherhood. She doesn't shy away from the ugliness that can reside under the facade. In my opinion, she puts it ALL out there! The story is heavy and touches on kidnapping, lies, secrets, infidelity, caring for children with special needs, homosexuality and even psychological disorders but it's also very readable. I found it easy to connect with these women despite the complicated subject matter.
There were a few things that I feel could have been done better and I had to suspend my disbelief a bit for the way some things were handled but overall, I really enjoyed the story. The premise of the book was compelling and it was definitely a darker look at motherhood. We hear stories of women who "snap" or commit atrocities and wonder - how could they do that? Crane offers us an interesting peek into the lives of such women.
Thank you Pamela Crane, Bloodhound Books & Netgalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of Pretty Ugly Lies which will be widely available on 7/18/18. This review is my honest opinion and I'm happy to share it with you all.