Buddy read discussion for The Woman in the Window

[NancyJ]

Would anyone like to join me for a buddy read of The Woman in the Window by AJ Finn? I'm reading it for a local bookclub but I'd love to discuss it here too. I plan to finish it by Thursday.

There are some twists in the book, so it's important to cover any spoilers or speculations. See "(some html is ok)" above/right for instructions.

Is anyone planning to read it this month? It's a Debut book.

[KateNZ]

It’s on my Trim list so I have to keep it in reserve - but I’m really looking forward to hearing what you think of it!

[Meli]

I also have it on my trim list, so I am bummed I can't join :(

I'll check back into the buddy reads thread when I read it if you get one going.

[Joi]

I just got my copy this weekend! I'll probably start this sometime this week :)

[NancyJ]

OK we'll be careful about spoilers for people who arrive later.

Great Joi! I'm enjoying is so far. I started with the audio (I had mixed reactions to it), but I'll switch to the book tonight. It's starting to get really exciting, so I'll want to read faster. Plus, the character's stress is making her sound a little screechy.

Odd thing... The character is drinking a lot of wine, and I found myself opening a bottle last night. I wonder what they'd call that. Virtual peer pressure? Sympathetic joy?

[NancyJ]

The last half of the book moved very fast. It was a fun read. Here is my review. I'll add more comments as others join in. I really enjoyed the mental health issues in this book.

Review:

An agoraphobic child psychologist (who loves classic films) sees a murder from her window. Or does she? She drinks a lot of merlot with her psychiatric medications, making it hard for the police to believe her without evidence. (Possible trigger alert?)

This is a modern suspense story, with it's own plot. It's not to be confused with the classic film with the same title. If you love Hitchcock or classic films, you will really appreciate all the references and quotes in this book. It made it fun for me when I recognized a feeling or imagery from an old movie, even though I saw only a few of the films she mentioned. If you didn't see them, don't worry, there is plenty to enjoy here.

Audio note: I started with the audio book, but I preferred reading the print, especially when the pace picked up in the last half of the book. Some of the narration gets tedious. For instance, when the narrator has to read online posts, it becomes irritating to hear her repeat the usernames over and over again.

[Joi]

Started this yesterday, and whipped through the first 185 pages in one sitting! This is so fast paced, and quick to read!! Unfortunately I did not have a glass/bottle of wine with the book. Maybe I will tonight :)

Loving the unreliable narrator aspect- already trying to figure out what is "real" versus not. Not sure how they are going to do the reveal yet either.

[NancyJ]

Joi wrote: "Started this yesterday, and whipped through the first 185 pages in one sitting! This is so fast paced, and quick to read!! Unfortunately I did not have a glass/bottle of wine with the book. Maybe I..."

I'm glad you're enjoying it. It keeps you guessing!

During the book club meeting last week our leader brought in a bottle of wine. It was funny that she was thinking the same thing.

[Joi]

Finished! It was so fast paced, I read the entire rest of the book in one sitting (without wine, lol).

Here's my review:
Short chapters, fast paced, unreliable narrator, mysterious new neighbors, thrills, twists, and turns. All a fabulous set up for a psychological thriller. This one follows Dr. Anna Fox, a child psychologist- turned agoraphobe who can't leave her home. What to believe? Who to believe? What is true? What isn't?

This moved so quickly I read it in two sittings. The tone is creepy (a la Gillian Flynn). Anna, our protagonist is the epitome of an unreliable narrator- and YES we will hear how much wine she drinks, and pills she takes. A self-mediator at its finest/lowest. I don't want to say too much for fear of spoiling, but the book kept me intrigued, and guessing just about the entire time. I loved the way that Anna's past was revealed slowly, and unknowingly. I did feel a little "abused" by the book at the end. BOOM- a TWIST. BOOM- a TURN. Right when you figure it out- BOOM another (almost unnecessary) red herring. Sometimes less can be more.

(view spoiler)[.The part I felt was unnecessary was the Ethan reveal. Why have him do a fake reveal- when 2 pages later we get the "real" reveal? It seemed so back to back it seemed to devalue how evil Ethan really is. (hide spoiler)]

[NancyJ]

Joi wrote: "Finished! It was so fast paced, I read the entire rest of the book in one sitting (without wine, lol).

Here's my review:
Short chapters, fast paced, unreliable narrator, mysterious new neighbors, ..."

You're right about those booms!
(view spoiler)[
I'm not sure I know what you mean by the fake reveal. I'll have to go check. I liked that she spotted one sign of deception - like when someone looked down and to the left. I thought that as a psychologist she might have spotted other signs of a liar or sociopath, but I guess she was pretty impaired the whole time.

There was one part I really liked that felt just like Vertigo. I hope when they make the movie they do a little homage to Vertigo in that scene- either with the cinematography or with actress's facial expressions. Amy Adams in starring as Dr Fox in the movie. I think she'll be really good in the role. (hide spoiler)]

[Joi]

I've never seen a Hitchcock film, and know basically 0 about the references to classic movies- I bet someone who does know would really enjoy that aspect.

(view spoiler)[Which part reminded you of Vertigo?

Also, the "fake reveal" I was referring to was Ethan coming over the night before, and explaining how his dad killed Katherine. then the "real reveal" was the fact that Ethan did. I felt like revealing the adoption and those truths about Katherine earlier on made the "real reveal" feel lessened. (hide spoiler)]

Looking forward to the movie as well, I didn't realize until you posted somewhere else that there was even a movie in the works. Amy Adams must like her psychological thrillers (also in the Sharp Objects HBO series). The promo picture definitely seems representative of the book (view spoiler)[ with the box cutter and all! (hide spoiler)]

[NancyJ]

Joi wrote: "I've never seen a Hitchcock film, and know basically 0 about the references to classic movies- I bet someone who does know would really enjoy that aspect.

Which part reminded you of Vertigo?

Als..."

OK I remember that now.

Re Vertigo (view spoiler)[ In Vertigo, he struggles to climb the stairs because he has a strong fear of heights. Jimmy Stewart's face really shows his fear, tension, and also the determination to keep going. I was picturing his face when I was reading about Anna climbing the stairs to the roof. She had a strong fear of the outside, but she pushed herself to going because the fear of death was stronger. (hide spoiler)]

Re Casting of the film (view spoiler)[ Julianne Moore is listed as Jane Russell, but there is no listing for the "other" Jane Russell, and there is no listing for Katherine. I think I'd rather see her play the first Jane Russell. (hide spoiler)]