Sign in with Facebook
Lindsay L's Reviews > The Roanoke Girls
The Roanoke Girls
by
by
5 stars......my oh my!
I am kind of upset with myself......how can I be rating such a dark and disturbing story so highly? The only way I can explain and justify enjoying this book as much as I did is that this tragic story sucked me right in on page one and didn't let me up for a breath of air until the final page. Wow - I simply devoured this book!
From the moment I laid my eyes on the beautiful cover of this book when picking it up at the library, I was addicted to it - I couldn't let it leave my side. I have to admit it feels strange and wrong to have enjoyed this book as much as I did - it feels terrible even thinking about the stomach-churning storyline. Yet, while I was reading, I was fully immersed in the characters' lives and emotions, engulfed in this family's sick circumstances. I'm not going to get into any plot detail because I don't want to risk any spoilers but mainly because I don't even know how to properly explain this awful family situation.
The author, Amy Engel, blew my mind with her ability to draw me so deeply into this disturbing story. This is Engel's first novel for adults, and I certainly hope it won't be her last (although maybe next time a "happier" storyline????)
I am kind of upset with myself......how can I be rating such a dark and disturbing story so highly? The only way I can explain and justify enjoying this book as much as I did is that this tragic story sucked me right in on page one and didn't let me up for a breath of air until the final page. Wow - I simply devoured this book!
From the moment I laid my eyes on the beautiful cover of this book when picking it up at the library, I was addicted to it - I couldn't let it leave my side. I have to admit it feels strange and wrong to have enjoyed this book as much as I did - it feels terrible even thinking about the stomach-churning storyline. Yet, while I was reading, I was fully immersed in the characters' lives and emotions, engulfed in this family's sick circumstances. I'm not going to get into any plot detail because I don't want to risk any spoilers but mainly because I don't even know how to properly explain this awful family situation.
The author, Amy Engel, blew my mind with her ability to draw me so deeply into this disturbing story. This is Engel's first novel for adults, and I certainly hope it won't be her last (although maybe next time a "happier" storyline????)
Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read
The Roanoke Girls.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
December 8, 2016
– Shelved as:
to-read
(Kindle Edition)
December 8, 2016
– Shelved
(Kindle Edition)
March 9, 2017
–
Started Reading
March 9, 2017
– Shelved
March 11, 2017
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 50 (50 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
KAS
(new)
Mar 11, 2017 07:06PM
Enjoyed reading your review, Lindsay! Thanks for bringing this book to our attention! xoxo
reply
|
flag
This book sounds like a must read! Especially after your reaction, glad you loved it despite the disturbing content
I loved your review, too, Lindsay! It let me know I need to pick this up at the right time! Kind of reminds of the reviews of The Ugly and Wonderful Things that I've read. :) I know if you gave this 5 stars, it's a must-read for me!
message 4:
by
Brenda ~The Book Witch at Witch Words
(last edited Mar 12, 2017 10:14AM)
(new)
-
rated it 4 stars
Excellent review, Lindsay! Some of the best books are the ones that suck us in like this, and I love the ones that test me and my emotions. I certainly have reach out my comfort zone since becoming active on Goodreads. I am glad that this was 5 stars for you. I will have to wait in hopes my library get the Ebook in.
Yay, so glad this was a win for you! I can't wait to read this one, and your rave words have me even more anxious. Amazing, amazing review, Linds!! :-)
Great review, I've been thinking about adding this one to my TBR stack thanks :)
Vanessa wrote: "This book sounds like a must read! Especially after your reaction, glad you loved it despite the disturbing content"KAS wrote: "Enjoyed reading your review, Lindsay! Thanks for bringing this book to our attention! xoxo"
Thanks so much KAS and Vanessa!! :-)
Jennifer wrote: "I loved your review, too, Lindsay! It let me know I need to pick this up at the right time! Kind of reminds of the reviews of The Ugly and Wonderful Things that I've read. :) I know if you gave thi..."Awwwwww Jennifer - you just made my day by saying that! Thanks so much! And yes - you're right - this seems to be similar feedback from All The Ugly and Wonderful Things reviews which I have been on the fence about reading. Hmmmmm......now you've got me thinking I have to try that one soon! Thanks for the kind message! :-)
Brenda wrote: "Excellent review, Lindsay! Some of the best books are the ones that suck us in like this, and I love the ones that test me and my emotions. I certainly have reach out my comfort zone since becoming..."Thank you Brenda! I completely agree with you that since joining GR, I have expanded my reading horizons and reached out of my comfort zone which is a great thing!! I really hope your library can get this one in for you because I'd love to hear what you think of it!
Kristin (KC) wrote: "Yay, so glad this was a win for you! I can't wait to read this one, and your rave words have me even more anxious. Amazing, amazing review, Linds!! :-)"Thanks so much Kris! Can't wait to hear what you think of this! xo
Dorie wrote: "Great review, I've been thinking about adding this one to my TBR stack thanks :)"Thank you Dorie! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it. :-)
Just finished this book today! Lindsay, you stated exactly what I was thinking. It's certainly a difficult task to review a book of this nature.
Thanks Erin! Sounds like we feel the same way - such a hard book to review. I'm glad we are in the same boat! I was feeling a bit guilty for loving this book so much....ha
Awesome review, Lindsay!!
Deanna wrote: "Awesome review, Lindsay!!"Thanks De!!
Loved your review Lindsay!! Awesome Job!!
So many great reviews of this one. I'm anxious to read it now. Great review!
Love your enthusiasm for this one Lindsay! I didn't love it but your review is making me question myself!! :)
Great 5* review Lindsay; does sound like a tragic story!
Great review Lindsay! I have this one on my list.
Nice review Lindsay. Everyone seems to be giving this one 4 and 5 stars!
Donna wrote: "Loved your review Lindsay!! Awesome Job!!"Thank you so much Donna! :-)
JanB wrote: "So many great reviews of this one. I'm anxious to read it now. Great review!"Thanks JanB!! I hope you enjoy it. I'll be watching for your review! ;-)
Susanne wrote: "Love your enthusiasm for this one Lindsay! I didn't love it but your review is making me question myself!! :)"Thanks Susanne! You're too funny - I've done the same thing before in questioning myself after reading a more enthusiastic review than my own reaction. That's what makes this site so amazing!! I love hearing everyone's different reactions. And I always enjoy reading your reviews - I can tell you put a lot of thought into them. :-)
Kendall wrote: "Nice review Lindsay. Everyone seems to be giving this one 4 and 5 stars!"Frances wrote: "Great 5* review Lindsay; does sound like a tragic story!"
Thank you Kendall and Frances!!! I appreciate your messages!!
PorshaJo wrote: "Great review Lindsay! I have this one on my list."Thank you PorshaJo! I look forward to reading your thoughts on this! :-)
Wow! Five stars from Lindsay? I hadn't even given this book any consideration, but after reading that enticing review...I'd better read the description, since you left me with a cliffhanger! ;<] So, happy you enjoyed it!
Linda wrote: "Wow! Five stars from Lindsay? I hadn't even given this book any consideration, but after reading that enticing review...I'd better read the description, since you left me with a cliffhanger! ;<] So..."To be honest Linda, I had no idea what the family circumstances were prior to reading this book - it was a very big shocker for me, but somehow it didn't make me want to stop reading. The writing was THAT GOOD!! Had I known exactly what the book was about, I probably would have never picked it up. It definitely won't be for everyone. The family circumstances are very hard to stomach. If you want a few more details before making your decision you can send me a private message so I don't add any spoilers in this review. It's a hard call on if I would recommend it to you or not.
I'm not a five, but I know what you mean. Are there really situations like this in real life? Actually, the closest thing to it are some of the polygamist cults.
Well, what I can say, sometimes we readers need a chance to indulge the darkest side of our personalities! Your enthusiastic review is the first one that has convinced to add this novel to my book shelves Lindsay. Great review!
Now that I finished it, I like it that you liked it so much.
Glad you liked it more than me.....My Oh My - for sure! :-)
Iris P wrote: "Well, what I can say, sometimes we readers need a chance to indulge the darkest side of our personalities! Your enthusiastic review is the first one that has convinced to add this novel to my book..."
Thanks so much Iris! It's one of those books you'll either love or hate - don't think there is much room in between. I'll be watching for your review. :-)
Doug wrote: "Now that I finished it, I like it that you liked it so much."Thanks Doug! It was such a strange and disturbing story......I'm still shocked at myself for enjoying this book so much. I thought it was very well written. Happy to see your 4 star rating! Thanks for the message! :-)
Carol wrote: "Glad you liked it more than me.....My Oh My - for sure! :-)"Haha! Makes me wonder about myself for liking this so much..... Thanks for the message Carol! Happy reading!! :-)
I didn't enjoy this as much as you did but the story definitely had propulsion
I'm putting this comment in spoilers. People who haven't read this book, please don't read this! (view spoiler)
Sonja wrote: "I didn't enjoy this as much as you did but the story definitely had propulsion"Yes, it definitely did Sonja! Thanks for the message. Hope you're reading something great now! :-)
Loved this book too! Glad you did as well...
Doug wrote: "I'm putting this comment in spoilers. People who haven't read this book, please don't read this! [spoilers removed]"I agree with you Doug! It is so strange to dissect the inner workings of this family. Great comparison - I can completely see the similarities in those situations. I felt most angry at the one who knew it was going on all along and quietly accepted it - just a terrible situation, yet I couldn't turn away from this story.
Marialyce wrote: "Loved this book too! Glad you did as well..."Thanks Marialyce! Glad you enjoyed it too! Such a dark and disturbing story, but very well-written!
A good story is a good story, and while dark, embrace that little side of you enjoying controlled darkness. You're among friends.
Latanya wrote: "A good story is a good story, and while dark, embrace that little side of you enjoying controlled darkness. You're among friends."Thanks so much Latanya!! Very well-said! ;-)
Lindsay wrote: "Latanya wrote: "A good story is a good story, and while dark, embrace that little side of you enjoying controlled darkness. You're among friends."Thanks so much Latanya!! Very well-said! ;-)"
: )
Okay now it's my turn....I don't know how I missed this review! So happy to see that you really enjoyed this one, Lindsay! I have to get to this one soon! Awesome review!!! :-)
Norma wrote: "Okay now it's my turn....I don't know how I missed this review! So happy to see that you really enjoyed this one, Lindsay! I have to get to this one soon! Awesome review!!! :-)"Thanks so much Norma! I guess it happens to everyone - that makes me feel better! It was a dark story, but I couldn't help but love this book. I'm curious to see what you will think of it!
I've been wanting to read this for so long! Really have been hearing some great things about it!
Katniss wrote: "I've been wanting to read this for so long! Really have been hearing some great things about it!"Oh - I hope you get the chance to read this soon Katniss! It is such a well-written story that sucks you right in even though it is very dark and disturbing. I'd love to know your thoughts once you get around to reading it, so please keep me posted if you think of it, ok? Happy Reading!!
Wonderful review Lindsay. Not my cup of tea story.
Thank you Karen! I completely understand
