I really liked the sound of this book from the first few chapters but having finished it I’m hovering between a 3 and a 4 star read. I love the concept: tragedy hits a suburban primary school of ‘wanna be private’ parents with aspirations far above their children’s abilities or desires. It’s a sort of ‘who dunnit’ meets observational
Women’s fiction - quite a unique concept and my reason for rounding up to four stars. Unfortunately for me it’s rather too exaggerated and Americanised with the typicalities heard in the playground amplified above scale and as such becomes a bit irritating in places. I feel there’s a bit too much effort to be funny which often falls a bit flat. There’s some complex themes which emerge as the story progresses and are largely handled with great sensitivity and thought, maybe a little too much though as some are a bit under developed (estranged mother, gay teacher). There were plenty of twists and turns that keep you guessing and lots of details that carry the full thread of the book. Typical of Women’s fiction it all winds up a bit too nicely at the end, but didn’t leave me with the warm glow that usually makes up for such a perfect ending. All in all it’s left me a little mixed but a worthy read and would be a very interesting book for a book club to discuss.
Women’s fiction - quite a unique concept and my reason for rounding up to four stars. Unfortunately for me it’s rather too exaggerated and Americanised with the typicalities heard in the playground amplified above scale and as such becomes a bit irritating in places. I feel there’s a bit too much effort to be funny which often falls a bit flat. There’s some complex themes which emerge as the story progresses and are largely handled with great sensitivity and thought, maybe a little too much though as some are a bit under developed (estranged mother, gay teacher). There were plenty of twists and turns that keep you guessing and lots of details that carry the full thread of the book. Typical of Women’s fiction it all winds up a bit too nicely at the end, but didn’t leave me with the warm glow that usually makes up for such a perfect ending. All in all it’s left me a little mixed but a worthy read and would be a very interesting book for a book club to discuss.