In case you haven’t noticed, I have rather varied tastes when it comes to reading. I like to read ‘literary fiction’ [that always sounds pretentious to me] but have recently gotten pretty into nonfiction as well. But I also love YA, classics, a good mystery, and other miscellaneous books. I like to alternate so I don’t get too bogged down. The classics do take me longer to get through, especially if it Shakespeare or another writer that requires me to interpret a bit of what is written. I like to read something like Charlaine Harris after something like Jane Austen so I can let my wee little brain rest a bit.
Good Neighbors was my latest brain rest novel. Except that it wasn’t.
Synopsis: Loosely based on the Kitty Genovese murder, this novel takes place in the early 60′s and revolves around a woman being stabbed repeatedly in the courtyard of her apartment complex in the early hours of the morning. And many of her neighbors see at least part of the attack yet do nothing. Then the attacker comes back a little later to rape her and stab her some more. And still no ones calls for help. Each chapter is about a different neighbor and gives some of their story. Even the attacker gets a few chapters. And certainly the victim, Kat, does as well.
I had pretty high hopes for this one. I love a good mystery. That was really the first genre that had me tearing through books as a kid. This one won the Crime Writers Association John Creasey Dagger Award. Not exactly sure what that is, but it listed it on the cover so it has to be a bonus. One of my main complaints would be that there were so many characters it was almost impossible to keep up with them all. Also, many of the characters seemed to be shells of people that were thrown in to add to the diversity - Look! Here’s a self-loathing gay man! And over here! These folks are swingers! Oh, here’s a terminally ill woman! And I wasn’t thrilled with how it ended. I felt there wasn’t enough resolution for my tastes.
I did think the concept was intriguing, I did grow to become interested in many of the characters, and I do think the author has great potential. This is his debut novel after all.
I give it 2 out of 5 stars.
Of course, now I want to read up more on the Genovese murder. Any recommendations? Or other books based on real events?
I read two books in the last week - first, “The Man Who Loved Books Too Much.” Intriguing! Non-fiction, written by a journalist who got to know a rare book thief. Not my favorite book ever, but if you’re a book lover, it’s an interesting one to read. Second, “Joy For Beginners.” Very touchy-feely, and I quite liked it. It’s not one I would have picked up on my own; I read it for book club. I’m glad I did, though. It got me thinking about what I can do to step outside my comfort zone in life, which is always a good thing to think about.
Now you have to follow up with the Graphic Novel - The Watchmen. One of the character’s stories is tied to the Kitty Genovese murder.
Just finished “Catching Fire” the second of Suzanne Collins’ “Hunger Games” trilogy. It’s worth reading and should be appealing to the young adult audience at which it is targeted. Starting “Mockingjay” [#3] today.
I’ve read the first two last year. I want to retread and then do Mockingjay. I have loved them so far.