Shá’s Comments (group member since Apr 18, 2020)

Shá’s comments from the EVERYONE Has Read This but Me - The Catch-Up Book Club group.

It kept me reading but I was disappointed that I guessed the plot/ending so early on. I felt like the build-up never really came and there was no climax. Unfortunately, this one was not thrilling for me. Good writing but missed the mark. The upside is I did enjoy the scene when the three of them were in the room together. That part was a big reason why I gave it 2/5 stars. The Silent Patient

Two years later and there are still long library waits for this book. It's also been on my reading list for two years so this is great motivation!

I loved this book! I read it last year so I may need to recap but Baldwin is such a great writer and advocate.

At the time, I researched the book and interviews from Baldwin and he mentioned that he purposely changed the ethnicity of the characters as to not distract from the larger conflict. When we think about this from a larger perspective and how sad that is, being forced to choose an identity, then the logic is understandable.

I won't delve deep into politics here, however. The room itself is a good enough metaphor of those obstacles. Hmm, I'm not sure I'd call this a love story. None of the characters actually seemed to be in love. There was plenty of lust and even fulfilling selfish desires. Maybe these are mutually exclusive. But, again, it's been awhile since I last read it so I may not be a reliable reviewer at this point.

I actually had no idea what this book was about before starting it, but it was recommended and I assume any book with a 6 month wait has to be exceptional.

I actually thought there was a good balance with touching on philosophy and quantum given that it's fiction. More than that would have taken from the characters.

I was hoping that Nora would have met other's like herself during the travels. I can't say that I loved the ending, but I assume the publishers wouldn't want it any other way given cancel culture.

I just finished this book and found that it relates to society today in so many ways. It's mostly from the use of allegory, but a great discussion to be had about the criminal justice system. I haven't read his other books, but I can see the "absurdity" that he often goes on tangents about.

I read this book a few months ago and really loved the concept. I was able to figure out the primary plot pretty early on, but the ending was unexpected. I don't know that I actually liked the ending, but I suppose that leaves room for a part two in the future, given the cliffhanger. I didn't find the love story with Luc very strong, but maybe that was the point? Overall, I did enjoy her writing style and found it to be a page turner.

I suppose I'm on the fence with this one. I actually really enjoyed the slow suspense in the beginning.

At chapter 19, that's when I was afraid I wouldn't finish, but after being invested for that long, I had to keep going.

Similar to what someone else mentioned, it felt like she handed this off to a high schooler in the final chapters to have their shot at fame. It did not feel like the other chapters. Everything about it was like a bad rewrite of a Del Toro 90's draft that never made it to production. I really had high hopes, but did not expect it to go sideways so quickly... and stay there.

I would have even preferred a "twist" for last minute satisfaction.

I'm really enjoying this book so far. I would not have chosen it myself as I'm just not familiar with the author but the suspense is up my alley.

I didn't have expectations prior, but now that I'm fully invested, I'm hoping the ending remains as good as the beginning. The character development has been great and the pace is consistent.

Fingers crossed about the ending. That's where great writers always go wrong.