Oooooooooo creepy... (Rating 5 of 5)
» LittleReader
As EB's novels go, 'The sisterhood' is one of her finest. Perfectly constructed, it tells the tales of Elizabeth - left by her husband after 10 years and across the Channel, Helen - a 20 yr old French girl on a mission and how their lives come crashing together.
Eerie and suspenseful, the timing is perfect and the pages are turned ever-faster as the story reaches it's, very unexpected, conclusion. With a few very nasty twists in the tail, this novel will have you on the edge of your seat. Dark and nailbitingly clever. Enjoy...
Shaky start, but builds to a good ending... (Rating 4 of 5)
» Michelle Moore
This is the second book I've read by Emily Barr, so I didn't have many preconceived ideas about what to expect. What a discovered was a blend between women's fiction, and a thriller. It's quite a dark tale, but with lighter moments too.
I have to say that I wasn't so keen on the beginning section of the book, as I felt it lacked a good introduction to the characters, and their lives. We meet Liz as her relationship crumbles quite dramatically, and Helen as she's sneaking around in her mother's belongings. I found it hard to feel anything for Liz, because I hadn't had time to get to know her, and it felt strange finding Helen snooping, without knowing anything else about her.
However, I persevered, and I'm very glad I did. As you carry on reading, you certainly get to learn more about these two women, and their very different situations, and you can feel the tension starting to build. By the second half of the book, I was fighting against sleep, because I just had to find out what was going to happen next!
As often happens in books such as this, Liz's pregnancy does seem a rather convenient happening, but it is quite possible. Her choice of partner was also a little unusual, but certainly adds an interesting slant.
The most fascinating character for me however was Helen, and it was her thoughts and actions which kept me hooked. Emily provides a chilling insight into her damaged personality and thought processes.
Going by previous reviews, this isn't a book for everyone, and I can understand that. It does have some bad points, but I felt that Helen's character, and the overall growing tension more than made up for them. I believe that this is a book that you need to judge for yourself, but it certainly kept me hooked, and sitting up late!
Best book I have read in a long time (Rating 5 of 5)
» Jane Eyre
This is the first Emily Barr book I have read. I couldn't put it down. It was dark, intriguing and I certainly didn't see the end coming! Would make a brilliant film and would love to see a sequel to this. To sum it up it was brilliant.
Have I read the same book? Disappointing and depressing read (Rating 2 of 5)
» Katie H
I'm genuinely amazed that this book has got so many good reviews, I found it quite hardgoing and a little bizarre, and I've enjoyed all of Emily Barr's previous books and bought this without a second thought.
Firstly, I'm not really a fan of books which start with their ending, I wish I'd known to skip the first bit as I then guessed the twist a mile off and it spoiled the suspense a little. I found the characters thoroughly obnoxious, virtually without exception. I really couldn't warm to any of them, even Liz, who seemed fairly spoiled and petulant, and must have been a little odd for her friends and family to have so readily turned against her.
There was little depth to most of the characters, what on earth was that Rosa/Ross character about? She was hardly explained, and the whole situation between her and Liz seemed utterly implausible to me. And Kathy, Matt and Roberto - all very weird in my opinion.
I also found the portrayal of mother-daughter relationships fairly bleak, was Mary supposed to have had post natal depression after Elizabeth? Was Helen actually mentally ill? So much could have been done to explore these issues but they were dealt with very superficially and the whole book came across as a fairly depressing read about, as another reviewer rightly said, "a whole host of odd bods."
I know I'm really in the minority but I actually struggled to finish this book and won't be recommending it to anyone, I'm afraid.
Intriguing plot (Rating 3 of 5)
» crime reader
This was my first book by this author so I didn't really know what to expect, whether it was going to be chicklit or pyschological thriller; the answer is, I think, perhaps a faint combination of the two.
It was an interesting idea and nicely written. The characters were well developed although I didn't find any of them particularly likeable, and a whole host of odd bods they were too. Basically Helen discovers her mother had another daughter years ago and decides to track her down and get to know her, using various bizarre methods. Liz meanwhile has no idea of Helen's agenda and just thinks she's a slightly cooky new friend.
The ending has a surprising twist that I didn't anticipate. All in all it's quite a good read.
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