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I have been seeing such negative ratings for Tana French's newest standalone The Witch Elm...I am really surprised. Waiting patiently for the release date so I can read this for myself, I feel it will be a great fall read, I hope I am not going to be disappointed?
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Kiki
You'll be disappointed, if my experience holds true for you.
I waited so anxiously for this book and started devouring it, but had to set it aside from time to time because the repetition was so mind-numbing. The main character is shallow and unlikeable. The first 4 chapters went on forever. Then, about a quarter of the way past the turning point, I knew who did it. The final "event" -- after the reveal -- came across as impossible, not necessarily because of Toby's character, but because of the character of the other person.
I don't want to nitpick some other things because I'm trying to avoid spoilers, but there are other unlikely points. But overall, the book is way too long (don't just go by pages; the type is very small).
So what if it's beautifully written if it's beautifully written bullshit? With sadness, I gave it two stars.
I waited so anxiously for this book and started devouring it, but had to set it aside from time to time because the repetition was so mind-numbing. The main character is shallow and unlikeable. The first 4 chapters went on forever. Then, about a quarter of the way past the turning point, I knew who did it. The final "event" -- after the reveal -- came across as impossible, not necessarily because of Toby's character, but because of the character of the other person.
I don't want to nitpick some other things because I'm trying to avoid spoilers, but there are other unlikely points. But overall, the book is way too long (don't just go by pages; the type is very small).
So what if it's beautifully written if it's beautifully written bullshit? With sadness, I gave it two stars.
Cathy
Read it. Give it time to wash over you and sink in. Enjoy the dialog and dialect, the description of the Irish city and country side. Ponder how people experience and remember the same events so differently from you. Ponder how much of life is fate, how much is free will and how much are stories we tell ourselves.
Lynn
I find it annoying that people don't understand unsympathetic narrators. If you read the whole thing, then you'll get it. Yeah, he's not lovable. That's the point. Is it like her other books? No. If you want to read her other books, then read those. A new book is a new book. If you want to read the same book over and over, read Sue Grafton. Or any of those other plot machines.
Kim
Just finished and I loved it. An exceptional character study.
Kristina Coop-a-Loop
Depends on if you've read her books before, and if you have, what you like about them. TF is not a crime writer, despite the fact that all her novels involve crimes. She merely uses the crime to explore the lives of the characters, to explore personalities and perspectives. If you enjoy more traditional plot-driven crime novels, you may not like this. I see so many complaints about the narrator being unlikable--eye roll. It's not the author's job to make a great person you will like. How boring is that? I didn't care for Toby either, but that was beside the point. The novel made me think, kept me re-evaluating the motives and personalities of the characters, and was a fascinating read. Stories involving unreliable narrators can be amazing if well done. I have some quibbles with the ending, but otherwise think it's brilliant prose and complex storytelling.
Christine
It's legitimately disappointing. None of the characters were likable, except for maybe Hugo. I hated the ending.
Judy Lindow
I identified with the main character. I saw myself and others in the main character ... this book was intense for me. I'm still reeling in the significance of it. Very eerie, commonplace in some ways, a lot of sleuthing, where readers draw their own meaning. I loved it - but it was sad on a lot of levels. Like seeing the Gods fall from heaven - making mistakes and struggling with their own humanity.
David
I'm not at all disappointed. It's *different* from her other books, yes, but very rewarding, I thought.
zendegy
I am four hours in an waiting to like it. I don't like the main character, very little is happening and the crime that's happened doesn't really seem that riveting. I love all of French's other books and am always checking for her next, but this one wasn't worth the time or the money.
Carrie
This was my first by T. French and I really enjoyed it, cleaver writing, decent plot and good characters, flawed but interesting.
Debi Hawkes
It's a disappointing book, was hard to stay awake while reading. I'm a fan of hers, but would not recommend this one.
Angela Koenig
This is an exceptionally valuable book that I couldn't recommend more highly.
Jillybb
You will absolutely be disappointed. This book is a long, extended, dragged out waste of time. Next!
Katrina Stonoff
I thought it was her best book yet ... and I have loved all of her books.
Pamela
I'm halfway through and it is just...wrong. Beautiful writing but boring. A whole bunch of those little cliffhangers when the protagonist says something like, "Little did I know how soon it would all go horribly wrong."
And then nothing.
That is inaccurate. Much does transpire, but at such a depressed, self indulgent, muted pace that it feels like a big yawn. So what near death violence? So what having your whole life torn apart layer by droning onion layer?
After binging on Ricky Gervais and Karl Pilkington podcasts, which is also full of self-indulgent drivel in Brit accents, but howlingly funny, The Witch Elm does not entertain.
And then nothing.
That is inaccurate. Much does transpire, but at such a depressed, self indulgent, muted pace that it feels like a big yawn. So what near death violence? So what having your whole life torn apart layer by droning onion layer?
After binging on Ricky Gervais and Karl Pilkington podcasts, which is also full of self-indulgent drivel in Brit accents, but howlingly funny, The Witch Elm does not entertain.
Chandler Tyrrell
character 'Toby' and his path/journey of discovering and readjusting himself, absolutely fantastic
Last chapter and conclusion of events...Terrible!
I'm gonna give Tana French another go, and pick on of her other novels, but this...this is the most disappointing book I have read this year, and would suggest you stop at the penultimate chapter, or just avoid the book all together!
Last chapter and conclusion of events...Terrible!
I'm gonna give Tana French another go, and pick on of her other novels, but this...this is the most disappointing book I have read this year, and would suggest you stop at the penultimate chapter, or just avoid the book all together!
Caroline Mcvitty
Not sure why people are so upset about this book. It is well written. The dialogue is great. The characters are so powerful that I actually dreamed about them at night. Sometimes the main character is not so loveable and is a lot more human than we would like. He is self-destructive and cannot seem to get out of his own way. But he is frank. It is a good read.
Mallory
Tana French writes wonderful prose, but in this book, the reader also must contend with unlikeable characters, contrived situations, and way, way too many lengthy or unnecessary scenes.
Ley Holloway
Not read any of her other books but couldn't put it down. Very much about characters and their interactions. If you're looking for a crime novel you will be disappointed. I find the misspelled title annoying on here, is that an American spelling of Wych Elm?
Mary
I enjoyed it! I don’t remember exactly how it ended. I read it awhile ago. I have read some of her other books.
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