whoever said that this book is very reminiscent of The Secret History  - I will sue. 

the whole reason I took this book upon reading was because I read that comment and ran with it. it has nothing to do with Donna Tartt's book (and i'm pissed about it). It reminded me more of Where The Crawdads Sing - with the lake and everything <spoler>(also the missing child, woods and parents stuff, cabin, too...). I'm so tired of this narrative and i sometimes blame myself for starting yet another book about cabins in the woods, i don't know what i even expected with this one. jeez.

it was not a bad one, really. too long, yes, but it was readable after the few tens of chapters because the storylines and characters were so diverse and overwhelming it actually took me several days to gather up the mental strength to finish it (in one day too, huh). 

over on Reddit, I saw many people being annoyed at the plot holes and characters overall, which I do get, but one thing I do not agree with is attacking Alice! she's the main victim here from the beginning of the story! poor girl had to deal with

her detached shoe sole of a husband, her sister sleeping with him (to which I'd say, ARE YOU INSANE?!), having another child after losing her son; she's literally on the verge.

I don't blame her for

drinking away her problems and having constant visions of Bear (also not being there for Barbara, although that is also tragic, poor little girl... she deserved a better mom).

n the story, I think Alice and Barbara deserved so much more. I'd add that other characters also deserved better, but I do not remember their names, only their stories, so sorry about that but you cannot add like 30+ people and expect the reader to remember them all. or you should, i do not know.

now the ending wasn't at all as satisfying or as shocking as i'd liked it to be and the hype was all a bit too much (looking at other reviewers who said it was oh so worth it. no.) i mean i liked that

Barbara managed to run away from her family

but the Bear part? I wish

it was something more dark, y'know? like it was his grandfather or something. from the beginning you get the thought that he was killed and now drowned and it's kind of disappointing.

i liked that it was like a puzzle, though. i know i complained about the many characters but they also built the picture and were very intertwined which i found cool.

fuck most if not all men in this book, though. also rich people. excluding Bear, i wish

he was still alive and happy and exploring the woods freely.