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Lori's Reviews > The Witch Elm: Library Edition
The Witch Elm: Library Edition
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Apologies to everyone who loves this book, but for me, it’s okay with some good sections thrown cropping up.
A superficially likable and self-absorbed main character, Toby, encounters his first care in the world. Well, I’ll cut him some slack. His fortunate circumstances aren’t his fault nor his credit. But no, the more I know him the less that I like him.
I know! He is severely injured from a brutal beating during home invasion burglary and only saved from death by receiving superb medical care in a timely manner. But, he has abundant resources. Cost is a non-issue. His friends and parents are there for him. It’s probably best that his mother didn’t get him a French poodle. He didn’t have a pet before the attack and could barely care for himself after it. But, her heart was in the right place.
There is a painfully slow beginning full of Toby amplifying his trauma instead of pursuing his recovery. (view spoiler) Then it got better withHobie Hugo and his cousins, then Toby bemoans the terrible things happening to him for a long time. (view spoiler), then it gets better and then the afterword. Kind of like a wave with long troughs and short peaks.
A superficially likable and self-absorbed main character, Toby, encounters his first care in the world. Well, I’ll cut him some slack. His fortunate circumstances aren’t his fault nor his credit. But no, the more I know him the less that I like him.
I know! He is severely injured from a brutal beating during home invasion burglary and only saved from death by receiving superb medical care in a timely manner. But, he has abundant resources. Cost is a non-issue. His friends and parents are there for him. It’s probably best that his mother didn’t get him a French poodle. He didn’t have a pet before the attack and could barely care for himself after it. But, her heart was in the right place.
There is a painfully slow beginning full of Toby amplifying his trauma instead of pursuing his recovery. (view spoiler) Then it got better with
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Reading Progress
August 23, 2018
– Shelved
August 23, 2018
– Shelved as:
to-read
October 26, 2018
–
Started Reading
October 28, 2018
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-31 of 31 (31 new)
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Diane
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Oct 28, 2018 07:50AM
Fair n honest review, Lori!
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Diane wrote: "Fair n honest review, Lori!"Thank you, Diane!
Very nice review, Lori! This one came up short for me too.
A superficially likable and self-absorbed main character, Toby, encounters his first care in the world.So funny! Great review, Lori. I liked the book better, but I generally value plot over character development. I think that makes a difference for this book.
Julie wrote: "Very nice review, Lori! This one came up short for me too."Thank you, Julie! I won't hold it against Tana French.
lucky little cat wrote: "A superficially likable and self-absorbed main character, Toby, encounters his first care in the world.So funny! Great review, Lori. I liked the book better, but I generally value plot over chara..."
Thanks, lucky! I never know if a book and I will get along.
Paula wrote: "Nice critique, Lori!"Thank you, Paula!
Holly wrote: "Sorry this one didn't work Lori!"Thank you, Holly!
I struggled with this too, Lori. Hope your next book is better!
Meredith wrote: "I struggled with this too, Lori. Hope your next book is better!"Thanks, Meredith! I saw your review, a 2 and a 4!!
LOL! You use science to say this book sucked!
Joe wrote: "LOL! You use science to say this book sucked!"Oh, Joe! There's harsh you are! :)
Best.Book.Review.Graph.EVER!
Bethany wrote: "Best.Book.Review.Graph.EVER!"Wow! Thank you, Bethany!
I gave the book 3 stars instead of 2, but I certainly agree with the wavelength image you included.
Beverly wrote: "I gave the book 3 stars instead of 2, but I certainly agree with the wavelength image you included."Thanks, Beverly. She has set a high bar with her other books.
It took me three (3) books to get 'into' this author. Give her another try?
Charles wrote: "It took me three (3) books to get 'into' this author. Give her another try?"Absolutely!
Also really disliked Toby. So much of this book is just essentially his stream of consciousness (‘AM I A BAD PERSON? NO.... OR AM I? NO. ALTHOUGH...’) like SHUT THE FUCK UP, STOP. SHUT UP. I DON’T THINK YOU’RE NECESSARILY A BAD PERSON, BUT YOU’VE BEEN WHINGING ABOUT THIS FOR 500 PAGES, SO I HATE YOU ANYWAY. He’s so lucky he had all that free time to sit and ponder his fucking morality in a god damn mansion... and I know that’s kind of the point she’s trying to make, but I don’t care, fuck Toby. Dickhead.
Matthew wrote: "Also really disliked Toby. So much of this book is just essentially his stream of consciousness (‘AM I A BAD PERSON? NO.... OR AM I? NO. ALTHOUGH...’) like SHUT THE FUCK UP, STOP. SHUT UP. I DON’T ..."Oh, Matthew! I hope your next book is much better! :)
This book needs serious editing. So drawn out. And I could not stand most of the characters, particularly Toby. It was painful to get through.
Vbledsoe wrote: "This book needs serious editing. So drawn out. And I could not stand most of the characters, particularly Toby. It was painful to get through."The price of being too popular to edit, I guess.
Gotta love a review that has an introduction to physics! Your analysis of the book is apt.
Clay wrote: "Gotta love a review that has an introduction to physics! Your analysis of the book is apt."Thank you, Clay!
I feel like we read a completely different book. And why is whether you like the protagonist so important?
Hobie!!! OMG!! How could miss it! Brilliant!
Dasha wrote: "Hobie!!! OMG!! How could miss it! Brilliant!"Thanks, Dasha!!
I did not connect with Toby at all. Maybe it was the reader , but there seemed to be a lot of whining. I kept listening and stayed interested because of the lovely writing that captivated me even when the plot and characters did not
Louise wrote: "I did not connect with Toby at all. Maybe it was the reader , but there seemed to be a lot of whining. I kept listening and stayed interested because of the lovely writing that captivated me even w..."Yep, her writing is lovely!
