At once a sensual and irresistible mystery and a haunting work of psychological insight and emotional depth, The Whole World marks the begin...
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Sep 09, 2010
Lenore
rated it: 
Polly and Liv are both Americans studying at Cambridge University. They hit it off and then become involved with Nick, a fellow student. When Nick disappears, it sets off a chain of events that show Polly and Liv how little they really know about each other.
I really enjoyed reading this one. Though it gets off to a bit of slow start, I was soon embroiled in the intrigues and secrets of the characters. The narrative is set up a bit like a puzzle, switching point of views five times th More...
I really enjoyed reading this one. Though it gets off to a bit of slow start, I was soon embroiled in the intrigues and secrets of the characters. The narrative is set up a bit like a puzzle, switching point of views five times th More...
Apr 02, 2010
Sharon
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Aug 15, 2011
Dee
rated it:
I'm trying as hard as I can to be objective in this review, as I am a real-time friend of the author. (She's a lovely person, I can assure you!) So, I'll start with the lost star and establish my editorial integrity!
I do agree with some of the other reviewers that there is a plot twist regarding the disappearance that slightly strains the bonds of believeability.
This novel is very much a character study. In a very interesting way, the most significant clues in this unus More...
I do agree with some of the other reviewers that there is a plot twist regarding the disappearance that slightly strains the bonds of believeability.
This novel is very much a character study. In a very interesting way, the most significant clues in this unus More...
Jun 17, 2011
Blair
rated it:
A classic case of a story that sounded great and, on the face of it, seemed like something I would love, but was executed so badly that it sucked all the potential goodness out of an appealing premise. When I first read the plot summary, I thought it would be more or less impossible for me to dislike this book. Unfortunately, it did a very good job of proving me completely wrong.
The book starts off following Polly and Liv, two 20-year-old American girls studying at Cambridge univers More...
The book starts off following Polly and Liv, two 20-year-old American girls studying at Cambridge univers More...
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Mar 14, 2010
Darcia
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While I enjoyed Emily Winslow's writing style, I was not all that enamored with her first novel. In A Whole World, we get to know a group of characters, each from their own perspective. They interact through a series of events that eventually leads to murder. The characters themselves seemed overblown and exaggerated. The plot didn't actually move anywhere until about 2/3 through the book.
I found some things too overdone and other things just plain unbelievable. For instance, I didn' More...
I found some things too overdone and other things just plain unbelievable. For instance, I didn' More...
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Apr 05, 2010
Michele
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I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
This was so exciting to open my front door and find that I had been selected to pre-read this book. It was on my doorstep calling my name. This was a very good book, for the first time in a long time I actually looked forward to reading a book, rather than just filling time. I have read daily for over 20 years and rarely say a book is good. My husband will say "hows that book" and my answer is usually okay. This bo More...
This was so exciting to open my front door and find that I had been selected to pre-read this book. It was on my doorstep calling my name. This was a very good book, for the first time in a long time I actually looked forward to reading a book, rather than just filling time. I have read daily for over 20 years and rarely say a book is good. My husband will say "hows that book" and my answer is usually okay. This bo More...
Mar 17, 2010
Morgan
rated it:
When I won this on firstreads, I got excited. It looked really good.
Polly and Liv, two American friends at Cambridge University, both find themselves for Nick, the perfect English guy. The three work together on doing research for a blind professor named Gretchen Paul, who wants to write a book about her mother, a famous author. But one day Nick disappears and in the aftermath, secrets come bubbling to the surface.
I was not a big fan of this book. I did not like the More...
Polly and Liv, two American friends at Cambridge University, both find themselves for Nick, the perfect English guy. The three work together on doing research for a blind professor named Gretchen Paul, who wants to write a book about her mother, a famous author. But one day Nick disappears and in the aftermath, secrets come bubbling to the surface.
I was not a big fan of this book. I did not like the More...
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Mar 13, 2010
Jennifer
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I received an advance copy of this book free from Goodreads First Reads. Expected to be released in May 2010, this is the first of several novels by Emily Winslow that may feature similar characters. I thought this book would be very appealing because of Ms. Winslow’s experience creating logic puzzles. If you enjoy watching a story unfold from multiple perspectives, you will enjoy this novel. Unfortunately, the book reads like someone started with a puzzle outline and then tried to fit in the na
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Dec 28, 2011
Maria
rated it: 
This book provides an atypical mystery novel to add to my collection. There are several plot twists that I found compelling and unexpected and Winslow's technique of writing only once from each character's perspective was fresh and happily frustrating. This was not the novel I expected, but I was happily pleased. While the book has its flaws, I enjoyed the conversational tone and storytelling. I found Liv's character most interesting. While her actions were unexpected and seemed to come fro
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Mar 15, 2010
Sharon
rated it:
Won a copy of this on Goodreads Firstreads!
I was so excited to win this book and here I am reading it - on page 175 out of 292 and I'm still not all that interested. It's a bit confusing how the author jumps from one person to the other with no warning. I'll update more when I finish.
Well, I just realized that I wouldn't have been nearly as confused if I would've seen the changing of the characters name in the new "Parts". For example: Under Part 4, it says More...
I was so excited to win this book and here I am reading it - on page 175 out of 292 and I'm still not all that interested. It's a bit confusing how the author jumps from one person to the other with no warning. I'll update more when I finish.
Well, I just realized that I wouldn't have been nearly as confused if I would've seen the changing of the characters name in the new "Parts". For example: Under Part 4, it says More...
Mar 26, 2010
Poietes
rated it:
I received this book as a give-away from Goodreads. I had wanted to read this book in particular because British mysteries are among my favorites.
This debut novel by Emily Winslow is purported to be similar to early Elizabeth George. Sorry to say I have to disagree. One of the stylistic elements that I most admire about George is her ability to weave her main plot and subplots remarkably well without losing any of the characters and all the while maintaining a keen sense of place. In More...
This debut novel by Emily Winslow is purported to be similar to early Elizabeth George. Sorry to say I have to disagree. One of the stylistic elements that I most admire about George is her ability to weave her main plot and subplots remarkably well without losing any of the characters and all the while maintaining a keen sense of place. In More...
Apr 02, 2010
Carla
rated it: 
This is Winslow’s debut novel, set in Oxford, England, about the mysterious disappearance of Nick, a graduate student, as told from the perspectives of five narrators whose stories are strung like gleaming beads on a chain. Winslow writes exquisitely and with great honesty, each character picking up the narrative and adding his or her own complex history so the result is a rich, multi-layered tale. The imagery is compelling: you can see the cascade of paper snowflakes, the shine of lights in the
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Jun 01, 2010
Karen
rated it:
I liked the conceit of the Whole World: a story told from the perspective of five characters with intertwined lives in Cambridge, England, that illustrates how our view of the "whole world" varies depending on our focus, our perspective, things we experience.
The book deals with several events: two friends who like the same graduate student, his subsequent disappearance, and several murders. The writing is top-notch but the pacing is uneven -- a not unexpected result when f More...
The book deals with several events: two friends who like the same graduate student, his subsequent disappearance, and several murders. The writing is top-notch but the pacing is uneven -- a not unexpected result when f More...
Dec 06, 2010
Alexandra
rated it:
The Whole World was an interesting read. After having finished it, I'm not sure I really understood it though. There was a part in the book where I was like, Okay, I get it, I see where this is going. But no. Liv's character deeply disturbed me. But then pretty much all of the other characters disturbed me as well. Except for Morris. But I digress. Even though this book was a bit manic and crazy, I did appreciate the setting. Cambridge, England. Specifically Cambridge University and the surround
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Apr 08, 2010
Lindsey
rated it:
I received this book for free as a First Reader. This was actually my third First Read, and I have to admit that it was my favorite so far. I felt like it got off to a relatively slow start, but the action picked up quickly.
The story is told from the perspective of 5 different characters. I've seen this device used before, but I don't believe I've ever seen it used as well. It was not hard to follow the plot, though it proved very difficult to predict the end. I kept thinking More...
The story is told from the perspective of 5 different characters. I've seen this device used before, but I don't believe I've ever seen it used as well. It was not hard to follow the plot, though it proved very difficult to predict the end. I kept thinking More...
Apr 06, 2011
Lue
rated it:
The plot had promise: mystery surrounds a small interconnected group in London -- the American student with a secret past, the faux-pas friend, the boyfriend who suddenly disappears, the blind teacher with a chip on her shoulder. But my underlying problem with this book is that each character was one-dimensional, essentially declaring, "I'm angst-ridden" and that's it. Not one of them had any other emotion or outlook throughout the book. Yes, we all walk through life dealing with "
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Apr 02, 2010
Eva
rated it:
This is a stunning debut for novelist Emily Winslow. Ms. Winslow tackles the perspective of five different characters, including a blind professor, to intertwine their stories and lives while trying to solve the mysterious disappearance of one of the 5.
Set mostly in Cambridge, England, Ms. Winslow provides enchanting details about the architecture and life amid a college town bustling with activity and rich with an incredible history.
Just when you think you have this bo More...
Set mostly in Cambridge, England, Ms. Winslow provides enchanting details about the architecture and life amid a college town bustling with activity and rich with an incredible history.
Just when you think you have this bo More...
Apr 19, 2010
Alexandrea
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Oct 07, 2010
Courtney
rated it:
Toby and I got to go to a book release event for this author. We got to meet her and hear her talk about her experiences in writing this book. Winslow is a good writer. The plot is very complex and I kept scratching my head, trying to figure out all the loose ends.
There was a lot of sex woven into the plot lines and I wish there hadn't been. Some of it was appropriate/necessary to the story and some of it I don't think was.
It was a cool look at Oxford, though.
There was a lot of sex woven into the plot lines and I wish there hadn't been. Some of it was appropriate/necessary to the story and some of it I don't think was.
It was a cool look at Oxford, though.
May 13, 2011
Lori
rated it:
I liked the author's writing style and how she structured the story, telling it from several different viewpoints, but the story itself didn't grab me. There were way too many convenient coincidences, and I had a hard time dredging up sympathy for any of the characters or understanding their motives.
And someone should make jacket copy writers actually read the whole book before trying to describe it; this is one of the worst mismatches I've seen in a while.
And someone should make jacket copy writers actually read the whole book before trying to describe it; this is one of the worst mismatches I've seen in a while.
Mar 20, 2010
Jill
rated it:
I received an advance copy from Goodreads First Reads; I enjoy debut novels and this one seemed to have a lot of promise. The author herself lives in Cambridge, England, where the novel is set and indeed, the opening of the novel, which hints at the disappearance of one of the key characters, Nick, is compelling. However, the promised psychological insights and haunting mystery did not pay off -- for me. There were too many incongruities, coincidences, and unfleshed-out characters with overbl
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Aug 04, 2010
Jennifer
rated it: 
Blech. Sometimes you've got to wonder how books get published and reviewed so well. I couldn't even finish this book. I think it was meant to have a gothic "is-this-happening" tone, especially in the perspective of the first narrator, but I couldn't care about her, and didn't understand the point of the novel, even though there were heavy-handed clues bolted down in key places.
Mar 24, 2010
Mary Lou
rated it:
Kids escaping from home to University: Cambridge. Some good characters & description of them & Cambridge (for all I know). I don’t need nor much want the now you see it, now you don’t quality of some mysteries. Nor the portraits of really twisted personalities. Well done w/ more murder & mayhem than is to my taste.
Mar 19, 2010
Emily
rated it:
Choices, consequences and eloquent descriptions. Each of these elements permeates "The Whole World: A Novel" by Emily Winslow. The mystery that she creates is so elaborate and well-written that its final twists cannot even be imagined until the last pages of the story. An excellent first novel and I look forward to reading anything that she writes in the future.
Oct 28, 2011
Helen
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the detailed Cambridge settings and the interplay between the characters. As the book progressed I found myself hooked by the plot and couldn't put the book down. Although some reviewers have said they didn't like the character of Liv, I found her compelling and very believable.
Apr 02, 2010
Suzanne
rated it:
Won this book on a GoodReads giveaway.
Each section is written in the first person of a different character. Their stories overlap some, but not a lot, allowing you to see the some events from more than one perspective. I enjoyed that part of it and the story kept me involved most of the way. It lost me at the end, once Liv starts narrating. Her character and the ending are just too outlandish to be believable.
Each section is written in the first person of a different character. Their stories overlap some, but not a lot, allowing you to see the some events from more than one perspective. I enjoyed that part of it and the story kept me involved most of the way. It lost me at the end, once Liv starts narrating. Her character and the ending are just too outlandish to be believable.
May 26, 2010
David
rated it:
First let me say that I received this book for free from the Goodreads first read giveaway. This book has a little bit different style of writing than I am used to. Easy to follow without too many characters. A good little mystery. Also note that the version I read was an uncorrected proof.
Jun 22, 2010
Martha
rated it:
This is a debut novel and I took a break in the middle of this book to read the newest Steig Larsen book, so my estimation may have been skewed by that. The story was intereting and the characters were filled out, but the book lacked pizazz. I will watch for more by this author.
Dec 01, 2011
Zoe
rated it:
Interesting to read all the reviews on this first novel as they are all over the map. From one star to five. I could have given it a four, I suppose, but it didn't fulfill that tiny little spot that signed with contentment upon finishing it. Okay, good read, interesting concept,now on to the next.
Mar 22, 2010
Marty
rated it:
This is an excellent first novel by Emily Winslow. I found it very well written and very hard to put down.
This story starts with a love triangle that moves into a mystery, murder and mental illness. The characters are well written and defined. I think the story could move into a sequel.
There is some discussion of the whole world as it relates to the characters in the story, and how we view our own small world as relates to the larger picture.
I hope Ms. Winslow has more sto
This story starts with a love triangle that moves into a mystery, murder and mental illness. The characters are well written and defined. I think the story could move into a sequel.
There is some discussion of the whole world as it relates to the characters in the story, and how we view our own small world as relates to the larger picture.
I hope Ms. Winslow has more sto
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