Well Observed

This was certainly not a typical read for me - I had little idea what sort of story I was getting into. After the first few chapters I was wondering if I should continue when I got hooked on the story and wanted to follow the characters through to the end. Haunting at times. (Not sure if that quite conveys what I mean but came to me which writing.)

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Bit slow... But LOVED IT

Like I said it took me a good hour or two into the book before I became hooked, but it's a really beautiful story and isn't over done like so many story's can be. It had a nice layed back pace to it which was a nice change for me. It also had some really stunning language and the way Anna stothard writes is lovely.

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Just missed the mark

For me, this book, short as it is, is dragging. The premise is clever and the writing is, at times, excellent, vivid and daring. But the characters were not as vivid as some of the descriptive passages, the main character, arguably, the late Lily whose daughter narrates the story just didn't have any reality to me and I didn't like her daughter much, in fact I got bored with her introspection. I felt a lot of sympathy for her dad, actually. I am almost at the end now, and looking forward to it being over. It's not bad enough to give up on - I do want to see it through - but it's not really gripping, not very funny, not that touching...



The narration is, however, good and it suits the character of the first person voice who tells the story.

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Twists and turns that you don't expect

I've got to be honest, I selected this book as it as reduced and thought it could while away a few hours on the sun bed while on holiday.



I really enjoyed the story and became absorbed, feeling all the colours described and the warmth of sun during this adventure. The story is brought to life such that you smell and feel everything.



A nice little break from reality, give it a go.

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Ok story - passed the time

Not my normal type of book. Not a lot happened and it seemed to take a long time for not a lot to happen. It was well narrated but just not my type of story. I was expecting a journey around America and the descriptions this would enable but I was to be disappointed.

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Listless narration

I couldn't get on with the monotonous narration, very disappointed. Perhaps the story improved as it went on, however I found it almost as boring as the dull voice of the reader.

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1 person found this helpful

Great package - no story.

The book is beautifully written. The author has a great palette of words, phrases, one thing flowing into another seamlessly. It is also beautifully read. The emotions, voices, accents.

The main problem with the book is that it is painfully boring. There's no story to be told. The mystery is bland.

Although I lost real interest in the story line around the third into the book I persevered and finished it with hope that it would surprise me, that the plot will twist. But the book finished and there was nothing of the sort.

The only thing that kept me going was the beautiful visual language of the book and the narration which was fantastic.

If you don't like teenagers, have a stable life or are a bloke of any age - and you're not a fan of self harm - don't bother reading this book. There is nothing in it for you.

Probably great for treating insomnia, though.

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Never got going

Just couldn't get into this one. Found it pretty dull and without substance. Shame as i was really looking forward to this as it was recommended.

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great story

I thoughly enjoyed the story, intriguing from beginning to end. I can recommend this as a book worth listening to and I am sure you will not be disapointed.

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Beautifully written and narrated

I downloaded this on a whim having heard about the writer’s next book, due out later this year. While it’s a little hard to empathise with the protagonist sometimes, the narration is superb – great accents and you can really visualise the characters. But the main thing is the descriptive writing, which is amazing. It’s so evocative of the places, the people, the atmosphere. You can smell the scorching, sticky heat of LA wafting off the pages (or rather, out of the car speakers). Loved it. If I’d had the time to listen in one go, I would have! Definitely recommend.

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8 people found this helpful