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Carmen's Reviews > Into the Water
Into the Water
by
by
Carmen's review
bookshelves: british-author, fiction, horror, mystery, she-says, traditionally-published, published2017, booklist113-1-1-17and1-15-17
Jul 04, 2017
bookshelves: british-author, fiction, horror, mystery, she-says, traditionally-published, published2017, booklist113-1-1-17and1-15-17
DNF.
I won't say much, but I have a few thoughts. Paula Hawkins isn't a bad writer. Look at this part:
I lay on my bed in silence. I can't even listen to music because I feel everything has this other meaning that I didn't see before and it hurts too fucking much to face it now. I don't want to cry all the time, it makes my chest hurt and my throat hurt, and the worst thing is that no one comes to help me. There's no one left to help me.
She flares towards the wildly dramatic, I mean that her writing style is overwrought and sometimes laughably full of drama.
However, for some unknown reason she puts a dozen or so perspectives in here. She tells this story from so many people's points of view. Why? Who knows. More isn't always better, Hawkins. It's hard to remember who is speaking and how they are related to everyone else. Moreover, who cares?!
I also have a real problem with (view spoiler)
Your tastes may vary.
...
UPDATE: I have removed this from my DNF shelf as I have finished the book. Mainly to stop whiners from showing up on my review and whining, *Carmen adopts a high-pitched whine* "Oh, you have no right to rate this! You didn't even finish it!"
I finished it and it is pretty disgusting on many levels.
I won't say much, but I have a few thoughts. Paula Hawkins isn't a bad writer. Look at this part:
I lay on my bed in silence. I can't even listen to music because I feel everything has this other meaning that I didn't see before and it hurts too fucking much to face it now. I don't want to cry all the time, it makes my chest hurt and my throat hurt, and the worst thing is that no one comes to help me. There's no one left to help me.
She flares towards the wildly dramatic, I mean that her writing style is overwrought and sometimes laughably full of drama.
However, for some unknown reason she puts a dozen or so perspectives in here. She tells this story from so many people's points of view. Why? Who knows. More isn't always better, Hawkins. It's hard to remember who is speaking and how they are related to everyone else. Moreover, who cares?!
I also have a real problem with (view spoiler)
Your tastes may vary.
...
UPDATE: I have removed this from my DNF shelf as I have finished the book. Mainly to stop whiners from showing up on my review and whining, *Carmen adopts a high-pitched whine* "Oh, you have no right to rate this! You didn't even finish it!"
I finished it and it is pretty disgusting on many levels.
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Reading Progress
May 12, 2017
– Shelved
July 4, 2017
–
Started Reading
July 4, 2017
–
0.26%
"She wants to go back to a home that no longer exists, to a time when she and her aunt sat in front of the fire and told stories to each other. She wants to be in her bed in their cottage, she wants to be little again, to breathe in woodsmoke and rose and the sweet warmth of her aunt's skin."
page
1
July 4, 2017
–
1.3%
"I was thinking about what I was going to say to you when I got there, how I knew you'd done this to spite me, to upset me, to frighten me, to disrupt my life. To get my attention, to drag me back to where you wanted me. And there you go, Nel, you've succeeded: here I am in the place I never wanted to come back to, to look after your daughter, to sort out your bloody mess.
Disrupt or die."
page
5
Disrupt or die."
July 4, 2017
–
2.85%
"The nearer I got to Beckford, the more undeniable it became, the past shooting out at me like sparrows from the hedgerow, startling and inescapable."
page
11
July 4, 2017
–
4.92%
"No one liked to think about the fact that the water in that river was infected with the blood and bile of persecuted women, unhappy women; they drank it every day."
page
19
July 4, 2017
–
5.18%
"I could still smell your perfume in the air, something rich and sweet and old-fashioned, like one of the ones Mum used to wear, Opium or Yvresse."
page
20
July 4, 2017
–
6.74%
"How many perspectives are we going to get in this book?! We have four already."
page
26
July 4, 2017
–
9.59%
"Louise had gobbled pills upon pills, each handful offering hours of blank relief, only to be plunged freshly back into her nightmare on waking. After a while she came to grasp that the horror of rediscovering her daughter's absence, over and over again, was not worth the hours of oblivion."
page
37
July 4, 2017
–
14.25%
"I lay on my bed in silence. I can't even listen to music because I feel everything has this other meaning that I didn't see before and it hurts too fucking much to face it now. I don't want to cry all the time, it makes my chest hurt and my throat hurt, and the worst thing is that no one comes to help me. There's no one left to help me."
page
55
July 4, 2017
–
18.91%
"A ninth perspective. What are you trying to do here, Hawkins? More isn't necessarily better!"
page
73
July 4, 2017
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 54 (54 new)
That (spoiler) is also a no-no for me. It seems to be the 'done thing' to put it in any crime/suspense novel today and without any real warning for the reader.
Carmen, if the (spoiler part) was described, then I can't blame you for not wanting to continue.I haven't read the book, but if the scene was integral to the story I would hope it was mentioned, rather than delineated.
Kevin, it wasn't overly or lovingly described, but enough that I was disturbed. Well, I'm always disturbed by [spoiler]. Also, I just don't see the point. Authors throw [spoiler] in as a plot point all the time, but I find it sickening and not entertaining or something I'd like to read about.
Just my personal preference. I know people love thrillers and 'dark books.'
Joan wrote: "That (spoiler) is also a no-no for me. It seems to be the 'done thing' to put it in any crime/suspense novel today and without any real warning for the reader."I agree. It is the 'done thing' now. But it makes me sick (not an expression, literally) and turns me off from a book, often causing me to DNF. The opposite of whatever the authors are trying to achieve, I'm sure.
Oh! Will def pass on this one Carmen, thanks for the warning.
Dem wrote: "Oh! Will def pass on this one Carmen, thanks for the warning."You're welcome!
I'm sorry this was a disappointment. From what you wrote in your spoiler, I can see why you wouldn't want to continue with it, even though you eventually did. As Dem said, thanks for the warning and your informative review. I'll definitely pass on this, too.
It seems like it's been a couple of years since I've abandoned a book, but believe it is your right to do so, write a review and not get hassled by comment nazis.I have left harshly worded comments on reviews supportive of the current president or his act, but try to present a dissenting opinion rather than hector the reviewer.
I'm sorry this was a disappointment. From what you wrote in your spoiler, I can see why you wouldn't want to continue with it, even though you eventually did. As Dem said, thanks for the warning and your informative review. I'll definitely pass on this, too. Thank you, Donna. There are dark books I enjoy: Stephen King, and GONE GIRL. But there're some thrillers that I feel just have a really dark and shitty view of life. In this book all men are scumbags, women are hated and raped and murdered, (view spoiler) they often say in this book "He was a good man. Even though he beat his wife and children." "He was a good man, even though he murdered any woman who angered him." "He was a good man, even though (view spoiler) Of course, Hawkins doesn't really think these are good men, but the women in this book do. And they all end up being victims or (view spoiler) SOOOOOOOO... that's what I was dealing with. (view spoiler) Lovely. o.O
It seems like it's been a couple of years since I've abandoned a book, but believe it is your right to do so, write a review and not get hassled by comment nazis.I have left harshly worded comments on reviews supportive of the current president or his act, but try to present a dissenting opinion rather than hector the reviewer.
Joseph, I know you are fair and kind.
Maybe I shouldn't bother finishing just for this reason. Rabid fans will, of course, insult me and tear at me for any reason. But my DNF shelf is pretty bare and I'd like to keep it that way.
Thanks for stopping by, Joseph!
Carmen wrote: "I'm sorry this was a disappointment. From what you wrote in your spoiler, I can see why you wouldn't want to continue with it, even though you eventually did. As Dem said, thanks for the warning an..."Wow, it's even worse than I thought, at least according to what I hope to find or not find in a book. Thanks again, Carmen. :)
You are welcome, Donna!<3
Excellent reviews and to the stupid people going "DNFs are real reviews" - NO! You are WRONG! DNF reviews are totally acceptable reviews - and this community needs them as much as the bajillion 5-star one word reviews.Thank you for the time to write this! I need to STAY THE EFF AWAY from any future books with child rape - bad luck with the last two books.
Ah how much I miss your candid reviews!
I met her at a book signing. She said that her first book was written in solidarity for six months. The sequel was written between engagement. I still want to read it being hopeful.
Excellent reviews and to the stupid people going "DNFs are real reviews" - NO! You are WRONG! DNF reviews are totally acceptable reviews - and this community needs them as much as the bajillion 5-star one word reviews.Thank you for the time to write this! I need to STAY THE EFF AWAY from any future books with child rape - bad luck with the last two books.
Thank you for the defense, CSL! And you're welcome!
Michael wrote: "Ah how much I miss your candid reviews!"LOL Hopefully I will have more time to read now. *fingers crossed*
AnisaAnne wrote: "I met her at a book signing. She said that her first book was written in solidarity for six months. The sequel was written between engagement. I still want to read it being hopeful."
Of course! I'm not saying 'don't read it ever' just that it's not my cup of tea. Very, very dark and depressing. Not like GOTT, which I thought had a bit of humor and hope in it. I just can't handle the despair. Let me know how you like it!
I will! I do love the macabre!!
AnisaAnne wrote: "I will! I do love the macabre!!"LOL You have a stronger stomach than I do!
I was not a fan of "The Girl on the Train" for a variety of reasons (chief among them being that's not exactly how alcoholism works Hawkins) but I just want to jump on here and say not finishing the book is a pretty strong testament to how much you don't like it. It also implies you read some of it, enough to get a sense of your feeling about it. Thus its perfectly valid to write that up and consider it a review. I appreciate reviews like this, particularly from friends and readers I respect, because frankly not finishing something is about the worst thing one can do with a book.
Also we all have subject we just don't want to read about. This is an especially appalling one that has to be handled just right for me to consider delving into it. That doesn't mean there's something wrong with you if it doesn't bother you to see it fictionalized we just all have our limits.
In conclusion you review whatever the hell you want to Carmen and feel free to set me loose on anyone who says you can't. I'm PMSing like a mofo and I'd LOVE to get into a really messy fight with someone over an online review of a book.
I was not a fan of "The Girl on the Train" for a variety of reasons (chief among them being that's not exactly how alcoholism works Hawkins) but I just want to jump on here and say not finishing the book is a pretty strong testament to how much you don't like it. It also implies you read some of it, enough to get a sense of your feeling about it. Thus its perfectly valid to write that up and consider it a review. I appreciate reviews like this, particularly from friends and readers I respect, because frankly not finishing something is about the worst thing one can do with a book.
Also we all have subject we just don't want to read about. This is an especially appalling one that has to be handled just right for me to consider delving into it. That doesn't mean there's something wrong with you if it doesn't bother you to see it fictionalized we just all have our limits.
In conclusion you review whatever the hell you want to Carmen and feel free to set me loose on anyone who says you can't. I'm PMSing like a mofo and I'd LOVE to get into a really messy fight with someone over an online review of a book.
I am genuinely laughing out loud over here! I completely understand the PMS! :D
I appreciate reviews like this, particularly from friends and readers I respect, because frankly not finishing something is about the worst thing one can do with a book.
I completely agree. DNFs clearly deserve a one-star in my mind. If I make it to 50 or 100 pages and feel like grinding my teeth and throwing the book across the room... it deserves one star. Period.
Nenia *The Flagrant Liberal* wrote: "Great review!"Thank you, Nenia! Are you planning on reading this?
Thank you for lowering my TBR pile by one. I was already unsure if I wanted to continue (too many POVs/plot not that engaging), but reading that part in your spoiler I just put this book down. That is just not something I want to read about.
Thank you for lowering my TBR pile by one. I was already unsure if I wanted to continue (too many POVs/plot not that engaging), but reading that part in your spoiler I just put this book down. That is just not something I want to read about. You're welcome! I'm glad I could help you, Mehsi.
I totally agree, more is not better. Her writing in this book I thought was way too dramatic and all over the place even in just one person's perspective (especially Jules'). I got restless and bored after a third into it sadly. I realised I had to exert way more effort into keeping record of who's who and who saw what or experienced what and then I couldn't be stuffed.
I totally agree, more is not better. Her writing in this book I thought was way too dramatic and all over the place even in just one person's perspective (especially Jules'). I got restless and bored after a third into it sadly. I realised I had to exert way more effort into keeping record of who's who and who saw what or experienced what and then I couldn't be stuffed. Yes, it was disappointing, Purita. :(
Stupid stupid review
Samia wrote: "Stupid stupid review"Then why did you bother to read/comment?
How rude - why do people feel they can come onto a review and say something like this to a person? Would you say to her face in person that she wrote a stupid stupid review?
If you have constructive criticism, then say it.
Samia wrote: "Stupid stupid review"Why is my review 'stupid?' Because I disagree with your opinion?
How rude - why do people feel they can come onto a review and say something like this to a person? Would you say to her face in person that she wrote a stupid stupid review?
If you have constructive criticism, then say it.
Thanks, CSL! You're a gem!
I actually found this one decent, three stars that is a lot coming from me lol.
Michael wrote: "I actually found this one decent, three stars that is a lot coming from me lol."Oh, I'm relieved, Michael!
There were some parts that could have made this book great but using pedophilia as an entertaining plot line? Disgusting. I was waiting for his actions to be condemned in some way but the characters kept excusing his actions and then there was a huge amount of victim blaming! A 15 yo can not be blamed for seducing a grown man. Is the age of consent really 16 in England? So many issues.
There were some parts that could have made this book great but using pedophilia as an entertaining plot line? Disgusting. I was waiting for his actions to be condemned in some way but the characters kept excusing his actions and then there was a huge amount of victim blaming! A 15 yo can not be blamed for seducing a grown man. Is the age of consent really 16 in England? So many issues.Thank you, Megan.
Whoa-oa-oa. Thank you for that spoiler, Carmen. Someone at my office just palmed this book off on me, and I was considering reading it despite the generally low stars here. But now that I've seen your spoiler -- nope, I am not even attempting this. Thank you!!
Whoa-oa-oa. Thank you for that spoiler, Carmen. Someone at my office just palmed this book off on me, and I was considering reading it despite the generally low stars here. But now that I've seen your spoiler -- nope, I am not even attempting this. Thank you!!You're welcome! Happy to help. :)
Diane wrote: "My view exactly."Thank you, Diane.
Thank you Carmen for such an honest review. I won't be reading this, ever.
Kathryn in FL wrote: "Thank you Carmen for such an honest review. I won't be reading this, ever."Thanks, Kathryn!
Agreed Carmen. I was fatigued from trying to follow the unnecessary volume of characters adding little value to the story line. Was a happy day when I reached the last page of this one.
Agreed Carmen. I was fatigued from trying to follow the unnecessary volume of characters adding little value to the story line. Was a happy day when I reached the last page of this one.Thank you so much, Rebecca.
Agree! Well said, great review, Carmen.
Get a wood burner, fuel is expensive.
Suz wrote: "Agree! Well said, great review, Carmen."Thank you so much, Suz!
Graham “Smell the Ink” wrote: "Get a wood burner, fuel is expensive."Graham “Smell the Ink” wrote: "Agree"
LOL Thank you so much, Graham!
Carmen wrote: "Carmen, if the (spoiler part) was described, then I can't blame you for not wanting to continue.I haven't read the book, but if the scene was integral to the story I would hope it was mentioned, r..."
Carmen wrote: "Joan wrote: "That (spoiler) is also a no-no for me. It seems to be the 'done thing' to put it in any crime/suspense novel today and without any real warning for the reader."
I agree. It is the 'do..."
did you actually say that? I'm a sex-ual assault child survivor and I feel so connected with this one; like the main character, Jules, I've never recognised before as sxl assault. until I read the book, I could see and somehow I felt this help me a lot to assimilate what happened to me.
I find it frustrating when people only complain about stories that talk about dark themes. They actually exist, these problems happen to people, you can feel uncomfortable realizing yes it happens, but so? The author never wrote the wrong way this situation, I think it was pretty accurate to omit the act. I'm against writers who portray wrongly sensitive topics, but Hawkins wasn't one of them.
I haven't read the book, but if the scene was integral to the story I would hope it was mentioned, rather than delineated.