too cliche, such a shame

And Then You Were Gone – R.J. Jacobs

Mystery, thriller, fiction.

Rating 4/10

Emily and her boyfriend Paolo go on a fishing trip together. They are happily enjoying their day but the next day he goes missing. His remains are not found, and he is claimed as dead. She mourns the loss and moves onward with her life. Later on, Paolo is found to be alive but the circumstances of his disappearance don’t make sense. Until he tells her some shocking news that alerts her that her life is in danger. He tried to warn her subtly, but she had to learn the hard way.

The idea of the novel and the synopsis caught my attention but after reading the first hundred pages, felt like a copy and paste cliché. This novel was too cliché and not even with a fresh twist. The whole disappearance because lives are in danger scenario has been overdone. I didn’t bother finish reading because I predicted the outcome because I am all too familiar with this cliché. I was satisfyingly right but disappointed in this novel.

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Hidden Evil

Then She Was Gone – Lisa Jewell

Contemporary women, suspense, family life, fiction

Rating 8/10

Laurel Mack loved her daughter, Ellie, who was bright and smart. Suddenly one day, she becomes missing. Laurel had the police keep an ongoing investigation to look for any evidence to see if Ellie was alive. Numerous incidences give hints to her daughter being alive and or presumed dead. The police contact Laurel and tell her that they found remains of her daughter, signs of a horrific death. This news puts Laurel into shock and depression of the worst kind. Laurel slowly moves on by dating this guy she met, Floyd, at the coffee shop. Both chat and he told her about his kids, and she tells him about her kids. When she comes over to his house, Laurel sees Poppy, who looks like her daughter who was gone. After some consideration and sudden realization, she sees the dark and ugly truth.

I grabbed this book from the shelf because I saw online that this novel was popular. I see a little why this novel was popular or is popular. Horror and suspense are always a good read but throw in some mad women and kidnapping, it’s a bestseller. Not that I hated this book, I enjoyed the novel. I personally thought the novel’s length could be longer and more in-depth with each character’s backgrounds. Yes, this was Laurel’s tale, but the author included other points of view that, at first, didn’t make sense of whom was telling the story until there was contextual clues that the perspective changed. Otherwise, this was a great book and I would recommend to anyone who is interested in the suspense fiction genre.

Toxic Marriage.. Nope

Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn

Mystery, fiction.

Rating 5/10

Nick and Amy’s fifth year anniversary are here, and Nick got some big plans for her. He leaves to go to work and returns home only after getting a phone call from a neighbor concerned about the open door. When he returns home, he calls out for Amy but as Amy disappeared. Nick called the police and all he wants is for the police to find his wife. On the other hand, in Amy’s diary she recollects the first time she and Nick met, among other topics giving small clues as to what is occurring in her mind. Slowly both Nick and Amy realize that their marriage is a sham, and this only spiral downwards. One person murdered and a pregnant woman, both parties have something over each other and vow to stay married.

I did not enjoy this novel at all. Both main characters are both protagonists and antagonists. This was a sad and depressing book that I ever had read. However, this is only fiction, but it does bring up major topics about the psychology of a marriage. Anyways, I do admire how this was written and presented as well as understand why it was popular. Not only because the novel was turned into a movie but for its plotline. At least it was clear as the plot progressed that neither narrators were reliable as they both were incompetent to tell the story.

This Book Is Controversial?

Gone with The Wind – Margret Mitchell

Historical fiction, civil war, romance, action, adventure

Rating 10/10

In this historical fiction tale, “Gone with The Wind” by Margret Mitchell, tells a wind blowing story of how the old south was forever changed in the Civil War. Instead of hearing from the victor’s side, this novel tells a story of how a lifestyle was forever changed through eyes of southerners or as they call themselves, the Confederates. A large focus on the main protagonist, Scarlett O’Hara, goes through trials and tribulations. How to survive and thrive in a fast-changing world. Scarlett does what ever it takes to survive in this environment. Even as far as marrying a man who she does not love to stay rich. After having two husbands die, became a widow twice, her third husband walks out on her. She developed feelings for him and regrets not seeing how she truly loves him. This book left off as a cliff hanger, but the main purpose of this work is telling the other side of the story. Also, on that note this book is controversial for its themes and everyone is entitled to view this book in different opinions and viewpoints.

I had seen the movie during high school, and I thank my history teacher for showing us this movie. I sought out to read the novel. I loved the novel in a weird way. Hearing from the other side is good, not that I am saying what the south did was good, but it is vital to hear both sides of the stories rather than the victor’s side. Scarlett O’Hara is my favorite character and her determined personality is admirable.

Mitchell, Margaret. Margaret Mitchells Gone with the Wind. Avon Books, 1986.