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134th out of 188 books
—
164 voters
Red Leaves
Everyone at Dartmoth College knows Kristina Kim, Conni Tobias, Albert Maplethorpe and Jim Shaw. Attractive, intelligent and poised for brilliant futures, they are campus elite, and ever since freshman years, they've been inseparable--almost like family. Led by the beautiful, spirited and enigmatic Kristina, they share an intimacy others envy.
But it is more than camaraderi...more
But it is more than camaraderi...more
Paperback, 448 pages
Published
May 1st 2008
by Flamingo
(first published September 1st 1996)
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May 23, 2012
karen
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-claiming-to-be-just-like-secr,
icky-sex
some books should remain out of print,left to molder and rot without curious readers tracking them down and disturbing the wisdom of nature. even ones that have saucy insets like this:
scandalous!
if you had told me that this book was written by an alien from the planet glorp with no familiarity with human behavior, i would have no trouble believing it.
if you told me this was a nanowrimo book, written in one month, without proofreading or author-sleep, i would understand.
if this were the work of a...more
I would not have finished this book if it wasn't for Spencer's character. He's the reason I kept on reading. The Dartmouth students were probably too young for me to appreciate.
Wow, what a complex mind/imagination Paullina Simons has. This is the story of 4 friends Kristina, Albert, Connie and Jim and one police officer Stanley and how there lives intertwine over some seriously mixed up and messed up relationships. The murder of one of the characters (Kristina) sets in motions the exploration as to the truth behind both the murder and the relationships – truly a tangled web that is woven and not revealed until the very end.
The first half of the book prior to the murder...more
The first half of the book prior to the murder...more
I give up. This novel makes no sense. We're supposed to believe this quartet of college students is tight-knit, yet two of them do despicable things to the other two. I hate them.
Further, to give away one detail from very close to the beginning, the future murder victim, is married to the Korean family lawyer, who promised her dying parent he'd take care of her. Take care of her by marrying her when she was, what, 16?! Credulity strains, creaks and finally, snaps.
I did like the cop a bit, but a...more
Further, to give away one detail from very close to the beginning, the future murder victim, is married to the Korean family lawyer, who promised her dying parent he'd take care of her. Take care of her by marrying her when she was, what, 16?! Credulity strains, creaks and finally, snaps.
I did like the cop a bit, but a...more
I had pretty high expectations as some of my favourite books are written by Paullina Simons, but unfortunately I think they were a little too high. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the book, it just wasn't very memorable.
Having read 'The Girl in the Times Square' I was looking forward to reading about the character 'Spencer' again. Though he has his flaws, you can't help but feel for him and understand where he is coming from. The best part of this book is when its from his point of view.
The 3 cha...more
Having read 'The Girl in the Times Square' I was looking forward to reading about the character 'Spencer' again. Though he has his flaws, you can't help but feel for him and understand where he is coming from. The best part of this book is when its from his point of view.
The 3 cha...more
I don't know what to say about this book. I even had a hard time deciding how many star to grant it. It wasn't good, not really at all. There were parts that were cringe-worthy. But, it had its moments and it was sort of a page turner.
'Red Leaves' is the story of two people at heart; Kristina Kim and Spencer O'Malley. Kristina is on the verge of twenty-one, she's a philosophy major at Dartmouth and shows plenty of promise for the future. Except, she's kind of a completely idiot (more later). Sh...more
'Red Leaves' is the story of two people at heart; Kristina Kim and Spencer O'Malley. Kristina is on the verge of twenty-one, she's a philosophy major at Dartmouth and shows plenty of promise for the future. Except, she's kind of a completely idiot (more later). Sh...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Four friends at an Ivy League college – one is found dead, frozen in the snow, having lain there for nine days – her disappearance is somehow overlooked by her bosom buddies. Spencer O’Malley, local police detective, is assigned to the case and is soon drawn into the web of deceit and secrets which ties the four students together. Further complications arise when it turns out that Spencer knew the victim.
In this, Simons’ second novel, she creates a tight and suspenseful thriller peopled with mos...more
In this, Simons’ second novel, she creates a tight and suspenseful thriller peopled with mos...more
I feel bad giving this 2, but I can't bring myself to give it any higher. It was frustrating to read because things kept happening all over the place for no apparent reason (they eventually did get explained though... except for a car crash which came out of nowhere and then didn't have any big impact on the story). I didn't like it as much as eleven hours, but I'd probably give it 2.5.
**SPOILERS**
The book was in two sections. The main character narrated the first section, and then all of a sud...more
**SPOILERS**
The book was in two sections. The main character narrated the first section, and then all of a sud...more
In news that will surprise no-one, I bought this because I read several reviews likening it to The Secret History. Yet again I've fallen victim to lazy comparisons: the books are alike only in that they both deal with the murder of a student at an Ivy League university (and there's the - admittedly very similar - detail that the body isn't discovered until a heavy snowfall has thawed). The writing couldn't be more different. This, along with Little Face, is one of the most odd and baffling books...more
2 likes · like · see review
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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I had previously read another Paullina Simon book and loved it - The Bronze Horseman. This book, however, was not at all similar to that book. It is a murder mystery set on the campus of Dartmouth College over the Thanksgiving holidays in the early 1980s. It started out quite slowly for me. In fact I was somewhat bored and thought it would have to improve to get 3 stars from me.
Well, improve it certainly did. In no way is this murder mystery predictable as so many are. Immediately you know who...more
Well, improve it certainly did. In no way is this murder mystery predictable as so many are. Immediately you know who...more
I'm not sure what I thought about this novel. It was quite frightening in places and I would never have guessed the twist but I found the plot somewhat unrealistic. There were lots of passages about what close friends the four main characters were, yet they were sleeping with each other's boyfriends and murdering each other. The thing that saved the book for me was Spencer. I just love him as a character and his cynical sense of humor kept me reading.
Did I really love this book, or is it just because I love Paullina Simons so much that I decide I love her books before I've even read them?
No - I loved this book! What a great story! I loved it because usually with these kinds of books I find I can predict the outcome very easily, but I found myself to be wrong everytime I predicted something and the ending was so different from what I expected! But no less amazing.
You just kind of get thrown into the lives of these four college kids, wonderin...more
No - I loved this book! What a great story! I loved it because usually with these kinds of books I find I can predict the outcome very easily, but I found myself to be wrong everytime I predicted something and the ending was so different from what I expected! But no less amazing.
You just kind of get thrown into the lives of these four college kids, wonderin...more
This is one of the worst books I have read in a while. It was interminably boring, the characters were all exceedingly unlikable and annoying. The book was full of contradictions.
I'm awarding the author an extra bad credit for having the protagonist feed cake containing chocolate to her dog not once but twice!!! Chocolate is highly toxic and people like this author ought to be held criminally negligent for perpetuating the idea that this practice is ok.
I'm awarding the author an extra bad credit for having the protagonist feed cake containing chocolate to her dog not once but twice!!! Chocolate is highly toxic and people like this author ought to be held criminally negligent for perpetuating the idea that this practice is ok.
Okay, I admit I was gripped. But the twist had me so disappointed. After a point, I could almost predict sentences. In my mind I was even picturing the cast if a movie is made. This is strictly a movie-book, as I put it.
I liked the other main character, rest of them seemed too weird. I guess that's what happens when one tries too hard to portray someone or something as too unique.
I liked the other main character, rest of them seemed too weird. I guess that's what happens when one tries too hard to portray someone or something as too unique.
The layers of mystery and intrigue are perfectly done. I was so wrapped up in Kristina, Spencer, and the murder that I couldn’t put it down. The players in this drama were so full of themselves and it was fascinating to see the character flaws that led them to do questionable things. Only Spencer remains seemingly untouched by the dark side of human nature.
I enjoyed this book and having just read The Girl in Times Square before it I enjoyed discovering the character of Spence O'Malley when he was younger in this. But parts of it really frustrated me and I was kinda left wondering why at the end...but maybe thats how it is meant to be. we cant always have an obvious answer or solution to how other peoples minds work.
I will always love this book, because I remember staying up all night to read it. It was the first book I read with such dedication and fervor. Six years later, I still haven't gotten tired of it. It was beautiful, complex and kept me guessing until the end. Spencer Tracy and Will Baker will always be my favorite cop duo. This book is a must-read.
Nov 11, 2010
Kelly
marked it as tbr-mystery-thriller
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
tbr-campus-life
50 pages in, I'm really not sure about whether to continue. The story itself is fairly good, and it's gotten good reviews, people have liked it. But gah, the writing is really cheesy and overdone. Just not sure.
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Update: I'm just going to stop on this one and maybe try it again in the future. I haven't read anything from it in the past several days. Just couldn't get past my annoyance about certain things.
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Update: I'm just going to stop on this one and maybe try it again in the future. I haven't read anything from it in the past several days. Just couldn't get past my annoyance about certain things.
Deeply disturbing. Yet entirely enthralling. I literally read this book in a day, did not leave my bed until I'd read the last words. I had hope Kristina and Spencer would get their "happily-ever-after" after they'd met but alas. It kept me guessing right until the end. Not your usual murder mystery.
A good, well-thought-out-and-written story, with exceptionally compelling characters. Starts out as a quirky college romance, but quickly turns into something else entirely. I wish I could give in 3 1/2 stars...the complete change of genre bumps it higher than a 3, in my opinion.
This book was recommended to me by a friend/co-worker. The story is interesting and compelling even if the writing is stilted at some points. The tone reminded me of Donna Tartt's "The Secret History", but I don't think "Red Leaves" will stay with me the same way "History" has.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This is one of the best contemporary books I've ever read (I usually prefer reading old classics). It's full of suspense, and also beautifully heartbreaking. I couldn't put this book down, and there are parts of it I keep re-reading. It's beautifully written.
Tully was and is one of my favorite books and I recently "found" Red Leaves and thought I'd give it a go. It didn't disappoint, the characters were engrossing and flawed as real people usually are and the who-dunnit part of the plot was never readily apparent.
wanted to like it b/c i have enjoyed other books by her. this one wasn't very interesting, and by the time it did get interesting, it was a little too late. i should have given up on this one halfway through.
I liked this book. It was a little dark, and usually that is not my type of book. But, for me, it was compelling that I find out how it ended. It is not a quick read, but I had a hard time putting it down.
1.5 Stars. This novels explores the incestuous and dysfunctional relationships of four people in the setting of a murder for gain. Unfortunately, this novel doesn't captivate as does the author's golden work The Bronze Horseman.
Loved the book. The elegant style it was written in with minimal words made it thoroughly enjoyable. Loved the story and the suspense. To me it was a perfect story.
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Paullina Simons was born in Leningrad, USSR, in 1963. At the age of ten her family immigrated to the United States. Growing up in Russia Paullina dreamt of someday becoming a writer. Her dream was put on hold as she learned English and overcame the shock of a new culture.
After graduating from university and after various jobs including working as a financial journalist and as a translator Paullin...more
More about Paullina Simons...
After graduating from university and after various jobs including working as a financial journalist and as a translator Paullin...more
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“Though outwardly Kristina maintained that a clean room was a symptom of a diseased mind (for how could she, while studying the world's greatest thinkers, be bothered with such mundane earthly issues as cleaning?), inwardly she hated untidyness and made a point of spending as little time in the room as possible.”
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3 people liked it
More quotes…
May 24, 2012 04:43am
Great line. Just great.
May 24, 2012 06:20pm