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constance2705's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
an actual unexpected ending which is refreshing
this was also one of those books that you read a few chapters of in the morning, then spend the whole day wishing you could go home and read some more, I don't think I've ever finished a book this fast
the content of the story and the way it was written was slightly over the top theatrical, but this follows how I imagine Jack and Betty see the world
I only bought this book because I love Thewlis as an actor, then I instantly regretted buying this book because I read Tom Hanks short stories and they were truly awful, but I am pleasantly surprised that Thewlis can actually write
I hope he writes more
an actual unexpected ending which is refreshing
this was also one of those books that you read a few chapters of in the morning, then spend the whole day wishing you could go home and read some more, I don't think I've ever finished a book this fast
the content of the story and the way it was written was slightly over the top theatrical, but this follows how I imagine Jack and Betty see the world
I only bought this book because I love Thewlis as an actor, then I instantly regretted buying this book because I read Tom Hanks short stories and they were truly awful, but I am pleasantly surprised that Thewlis can actually write
I hope he writes more
adamskiboy528491's review against another edition
4.0
" You get word before the show has started
That your favourite uncle died at dawn
Top of that, your ma and pa have parted
You're broken-hearted
But you go on" - "There's No Business Like Show Business."
[b:Shooting Martha|58326152|Shooting Martha|David Thewlis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1623826749l/58326152._SY75_.jpg|91452875] by [a:David Thewlis|751623|David Thewlis|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1280036666p2/751623.jpg] gives metafiction a new level of storytelling as it contains wit, humour, and a lot of strange moments that I loved! I found it hard to believe that this wasn't Thewlis' first novel but his second. You can tell that he has advanced his storytelling skills with much praise from other authors and fans (including myself).
A successful and famous director Jack Drake is in a stalemate to finish his most exciting and personal movie due to his beloved wife, Martha. When he discovers that actress Betty Dean resembles his wife so much, he employs her to impersonate Martha until he completes his movie.
There's a slight depth of surrealism to the idea of doppelgängers (between its actors and real-life characters) as if it were a homage to Charlie Kaufman's Synecdoche, New York or a Hitchcock thriller. It's darkly comic (the opening scene is a vast example), yet devastating to imagine it as a (fictionalised) film. To conclude, I did enjoy this book with its rich storytelling and powerful themes which come together to create a story that gets you thinking.
ck24's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
I had zero urgency to finish this book, because I enjoyed living in it. Took me two full months to read even though it’s a fairly quick one. Really enjoyed David Thewlis’s writing style, and the twist got me!
catherineneeds's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Suicide
03emma20's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
thanat0s1017's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jenniferbirtles's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-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
2.5
elizabeth1993's review against another edition
5.0
Davis Thewlis has once again written an exceptional novel full of suspense, quick wit and candid insights in to the human mind when it’s pushed in to madness. His characters are flawed and manic, they leave your head swirling just as theirs are.
Dark secrets, dark humour and even darker thoughts.
Utterly brilliant.
Dark secrets, dark humour and even darker thoughts.
Utterly brilliant.