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naomixnaomi's review against another edition
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
rubythedreamer's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This didn't grab me, I wanted to finish as it was a short read and I wanted to know what happened. None of the characters were likable and I found the ending very over the top and not particularly fitting. I can see what Foulds was trying to do with the ending but for me it missed the mark.
rakoerose's review against another edition
3.0
’Maybe I can make you happy. Maybe I can’t.’
‘You certainly can. The question is will you.’
‘That’s true. The question is will I.’
Didn’t hate it, but didn’t love it either!
It was definitely an interesting look into the theme of obsession and a great insight into Henry and Kristin as characters. You come to understand them both deeply, intimately through their choices and reasonings which makes this very good for if someone wanted to do a character study!
I really enjoyed seeing the perspective of Henry as an actor trying to further his career. The desperation he felt for wanting progression and the obsession with creating a bigger name for himself. It, I think, showed how dedicated you really have to be to make it big in acting.
Kristin was intriguing as a study into obsessing over celebrities or popular individuals. She demonstrates the potentially toxic nature that type of fantasy thinking can develop. It made me think a lot about how uncomfortable celebrities and even internet personalities can become when fans go too far. Especially as Henry reacts to one of her letters arriving to him, making him uncomfortable.
It was nonsense and harmless, presumably, but so much better not to know, not to have this inside him. It should never have reached him.
Fould’s prose is definitely telling of how he is also a poet. The descriptions were lyrical and beautiful, the scenes set so intensely I felt like I was there. The emotions conveyed were eloquently done and makes the characters come to life.
While these characters were so interesting, I did feel that the pacing was a little weird. It starts with Kristin and then you don’t see her again for over half the book. I wish the whole thing would have been similar to the last portion of it, juxtaposing self-obsession with external obsession on a more consistent basis. Instead we are made to wonder what Kristin was doing while Henry was out and about. I’d have liked to see more conversations with her family, instead of having those talks be alluded to.
Especially since the blurb/synopsis focused on the “stalker” aspect. Yet where is she? There just seems to be some missed connections in regards to what was expected and what was given.
In the end, it was a fine time. It satisfied my curiosity based on the premise and was a good way to occupy my time. I do recommend you pick it up if you’re still interested!
‘You certainly can. The question is will you.’
‘That’s true. The question is will I.’
Didn’t hate it, but didn’t love it either!
It was definitely an interesting look into the theme of obsession and a great insight into Henry and Kristin as characters. You come to understand them both deeply, intimately through their choices and reasonings which makes this very good for if someone wanted to do a character study!
I really enjoyed seeing the perspective of Henry as an actor trying to further his career. The desperation he felt for wanting progression and the obsession with creating a bigger name for himself. It, I think, showed how dedicated you really have to be to make it big in acting.
Kristin was intriguing as a study into obsessing over celebrities or popular individuals. She demonstrates the potentially toxic nature that type of fantasy thinking can develop. It made me think a lot about how uncomfortable celebrities and even internet personalities can become when fans go too far. Especially as Henry reacts to one of her letters arriving to him, making him uncomfortable.
It was nonsense and harmless, presumably, but so much better not to know, not to have this inside him. It should never have reached him.
Fould’s prose is definitely telling of how he is also a poet. The descriptions were lyrical and beautiful, the scenes set so intensely I felt like I was there. The emotions conveyed were eloquently done and makes the characters come to life.
While these characters were so interesting, I did feel that the pacing was a little weird. It starts with Kristin and then you don’t see her again for over half the book. I wish the whole thing would have been similar to the last portion of it, juxtaposing self-obsession with external obsession on a more consistent basis. Instead we are made to wonder what Kristin was doing while Henry was out and about. I’d have liked to see more conversations with her family, instead of having those talks be alluded to.
Especially since the blurb/synopsis focused on the “stalker” aspect. Yet where is she? There just seems to be some missed connections in regards to what was expected and what was given.
Spoiler
This paragraph is a spoiler: The ending as well made me slightly uncomfortable, even though I know it’s a mirror of Echo and Narcissus. It’s a dangerous message to give and something that online personalities and celebrities have to experience often, where people say something along the lines of “notice me, or I’ll kill myself” or “I’m debating suicide and the only person who can stop me is xyz”. This causes great distress to the celebrity in the position because obviously you don’t want fans doing this but you can’t be everywhere at once. Kristin can’t blame what she chose to do on Henry’s rejection. A choice was made, she chose.In the end, it was a fine time. It satisfied my curiosity based on the premise and was a good way to occupy my time. I do recommend you pick it up if you’re still interested!
zisi's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
loosebrain's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
duncanvb's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Was tutored by Adam on an Arvon course and it was a wonderful experience!
alecxia's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mazza57's review against another edition
2.0
I feel I am being generous giving this book a 2 star rating. The whole is a great big empty plot line with a couple of narcissistic characters. I think it could have been so much more but instead of developing the plot line around Kirstin and Henry there is just one more mention of her before she boards a plane to London. It feels like the author got dragged down in describing Henry, his lifestyle and his ego mania and forgot to develop the narrative completely. As a reader I want a book to define the situation and then take me through into the scenario described. This simply failed to capture my attention in any way. The ending was also absolutely dire
hannahsonia's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
dairyofaliterarian's review against another edition
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5