Samadrita's Reviews > In the Woods
In the Woods (Dublin Murder Squad, #1)
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by
Samadrita's review
bookshelves: european-literature, by-women-who-matter, ireland, suspense-thrillers, mystery-detective, crime-noir, amazing-characterization, disturbia, cherished, melancholia, re-readable
Jul 15, 2013
bookshelves: european-literature, by-women-who-matter, ireland, suspense-thrillers, mystery-detective, crime-noir, amazing-characterization, disturbia, cherished, melancholia, re-readable
It's been a while since I have read a book that has left me so utterly devastated, a book entailing such a profound emotional investment that having finished it I feel a gaping emptiness within, a sense of loss. It feels like my heart has been simultaneously crushed into pulp under the weight of the tragedies that descend on the lives of a handful of characters and blown to smithereens. And I would never be able to pick up the pieces and glue them back together into a throbbing whole again.
I read In the Woods while on vacation, whenever I took breaks from watching wave after wave crash on to the shore with the familiar rip-roaring intensity of the sea. I read this even when I was too tired to stay up till late, lying on an unfamiliar bed with a sheet of dubious hygiene standards. I read this during prolonged car rides. And every time I had to tear my eyes away from its pages, I felt a pang of irritation.
As I made my way toward the bone-chilling climax of this narrative, awake at an unholy hour, I distinctly remember breaking out in a sweat on a cool December night to boot. Sleep became an alien entity and, come hell or high water, I knew I would not wrench myself away from this fantastic make-believe world of a small town and the sinister occurrences that tied the lives of its residents in the most twisted way possible. I longed to stay trapped in the eerie magic spell cast by the woods, under the ominous shadows of leafy canopies of pine and beech, caught up in a hazy daydream playing hide and seek with Peter, Jamie and Adam. My heart ached for the two children who never returned home from their beloved woods, who were never found again and the way the tragedy of their mystifying disappearance dealt a crushing blow to the life of their traumatized playmate who returned unharmed. It wept for Rob and Cassie and their missed chances.
This book isn't about crime and punishment, it isn't about the science of deduction or smooth-talking, fedora-sporting detectives smartly arriving at inference after inference and nabbing the culprit in style. I almost crave for the standardized simplicity of regular crime thrillers at this moment, the stories which conveniently compartmentalize the crime and the police procedure, the good guys and the bad guys. At least a book like that would not have left me feeling so desolate and bereft of any happy feeling.
But this book took my breath away with its ability to instill so much life in each one of its characters that their distress became my own, with its ornate but never ostentatious prose and the way it deftly narrated a story infused with the dull shades of a sadness so affecting. Tana French foregoes all the spick and span categorizations here, thumbs her nose at the usual pigeon-holing. Instead with consummate skill, she outlines the faint traces of humanity in the most brutal impulses, acknowledges the messed up ways in which this bizarre drama of life plays out and how a neat tying up of all loose ends seldom happens in reality. Sometimes, life is that merciless and cold.
This book is about the labyrinthine pathways of our mind which treacherously conceal our most terrifying memories and how our subconscious prods us to replace the unpleasant truths with self-justifying falsities and even establishes our faith in them. It is about the seemingly innocuous, small cruelties of mundane everyday life that are capable of triggering much bigger disasters that destroy the lives of children and the unforgivable cruelties oblivious, ignorant children are themselves capable of.
I refuse to label this electrifying debut novel mere crime fiction because, in all earnestness, it is not. Rather, it is literature which delves deep into the causality of crime and meticulously brings out the humanity of all the people involved, literature capable of wringing out empathy from even the least sensitive reader. And it is an exploration of the convoluted workings of the human mind, of evil and barbaric urges lurking somewhere in its darkest nooks and crevices. It is a cerebral suspense thriller and, without a doubt, one of the best I have ever read. But it is also a beautiful, bittersweet story about people who carry on with their broken lives shouldering the unbearable burden of past trauma, an unforgettable human drama which left me emotionally drained, agitated to the extreme and yet gasping for more.
I read In the Woods while on vacation, whenever I took breaks from watching wave after wave crash on to the shore with the familiar rip-roaring intensity of the sea. I read this even when I was too tired to stay up till late, lying on an unfamiliar bed with a sheet of dubious hygiene standards. I read this during prolonged car rides. And every time I had to tear my eyes away from its pages, I felt a pang of irritation.
As I made my way toward the bone-chilling climax of this narrative, awake at an unholy hour, I distinctly remember breaking out in a sweat on a cool December night to boot. Sleep became an alien entity and, come hell or high water, I knew I would not wrench myself away from this fantastic make-believe world of a small town and the sinister occurrences that tied the lives of its residents in the most twisted way possible. I longed to stay trapped in the eerie magic spell cast by the woods, under the ominous shadows of leafy canopies of pine and beech, caught up in a hazy daydream playing hide and seek with Peter, Jamie and Adam. My heart ached for the two children who never returned home from their beloved woods, who were never found again and the way the tragedy of their mystifying disappearance dealt a crushing blow to the life of their traumatized playmate who returned unharmed. It wept for Rob and Cassie and their missed chances.
This book isn't about crime and punishment, it isn't about the science of deduction or smooth-talking, fedora-sporting detectives smartly arriving at inference after inference and nabbing the culprit in style. I almost crave for the standardized simplicity of regular crime thrillers at this moment, the stories which conveniently compartmentalize the crime and the police procedure, the good guys and the bad guys. At least a book like that would not have left me feeling so desolate and bereft of any happy feeling.
But this book took my breath away with its ability to instill so much life in each one of its characters that their distress became my own, with its ornate but never ostentatious prose and the way it deftly narrated a story infused with the dull shades of a sadness so affecting. Tana French foregoes all the spick and span categorizations here, thumbs her nose at the usual pigeon-holing. Instead with consummate skill, she outlines the faint traces of humanity in the most brutal impulses, acknowledges the messed up ways in which this bizarre drama of life plays out and how a neat tying up of all loose ends seldom happens in reality. Sometimes, life is that merciless and cold.
This book is about the labyrinthine pathways of our mind which treacherously conceal our most terrifying memories and how our subconscious prods us to replace the unpleasant truths with self-justifying falsities and even establishes our faith in them. It is about the seemingly innocuous, small cruelties of mundane everyday life that are capable of triggering much bigger disasters that destroy the lives of children and the unforgivable cruelties oblivious, ignorant children are themselves capable of.
I refuse to label this electrifying debut novel mere crime fiction because, in all earnestness, it is not. Rather, it is literature which delves deep into the causality of crime and meticulously brings out the humanity of all the people involved, literature capable of wringing out empathy from even the least sensitive reader. And it is an exploration of the convoluted workings of the human mind, of evil and barbaric urges lurking somewhere in its darkest nooks and crevices. It is a cerebral suspense thriller and, without a doubt, one of the best I have ever read. But it is also a beautiful, bittersweet story about people who carry on with their broken lives shouldering the unbearable burden of past trauma, an unforgettable human drama which left me emotionally drained, agitated to the extreme and yet gasping for more.
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Reading Progress
July 15, 2013
– Shelved as:
to-read
July 15, 2013
– Shelved
July 15, 2013
– Shelved as:
someday-surely
July 15, 2013
– Shelved as:
european-literature
July 15, 2013
– Shelved as:
by-women-who-matter
July 15, 2013
– Shelved as:
ireland
July 15, 2013
– Shelved as:
suspense-thrillers
July 15, 2013
– Shelved as:
mystery-detective
November 23, 2013
–
Started Reading
November 23, 2013
– Shelved as:
crime-noir
November 23, 2013
–
4.69%
""I worry that I might come out of hypnosis with that sugar-high glaze of self-satisfied enlightenment, like a seventeen-year-old who's just discovered Kerouac, and start proselytizing strangers in pubs."
Ooh I love Tana French already. <3"
page
21
Ooh I love Tana French already. <3"
December 2, 2013
– Shelved as:
amazing-characterization
December 2, 2013
–
Finished Reading
December 3, 2013
– Shelved as:
disturbia
December 3, 2013
– Shelved as:
cherished
December 3, 2013
– Shelved as:
melancholia
December 8, 2013
– Shelved as:
re-readable
Comments Showing 1-41 of 41 (41 new)
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message 1:
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Jill
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rated it 5 stars
Jul 15, 2013 02:15PM
Yes! I know it's only marked 'someday surely' and I know crime fiction is not your thing, but if you read any thriller, read this series.
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Um I am actually game for any crime fiction with good writing, a baffling mystery and no bloodshed. Some literary pretensions don't hurt either. I have heard great things about this one so I'll read it surely. And especially since you seem to have liked this one, Jill.
I put this on my "to-read-in-2014" shelf (and I see a movie version is coming out in 2014), so I'm glad to hear that yet another GR friend is loving it.
The news of the movie really makes me happy because this seems like just the kind of book which will translate really well on reel. Do read it, Caroline. It is simply riveting.
Wow! Great review, Samadrita. I thought this was just a typical murder mystery and have been avoiding it. But you've made me want to check it out!
Spectacular review, Samadrita. My reading list next year will hopefully witness a successful(?) juggling between genres I haven't read before. So I'll look forward to the esteemed company of Ms. Tana.
Crime fiction, though sometimes interesting does not keep my attention for long because most of the times the emotional engagement is close to zero. I don't think I've added anything of that genre to the TBR pile in a long time. Now I will ! Seems like you found the perfect book to enjoy (ruin, perhaps ?!) your vacation. But...Books are a vacation onto themselves :P
And, brilliant review, as usual.
And, brilliant review, as usual.
I'm beyond thrilled you loved this so much, Samadrita! You're right; it's disingenuous to consider this mere crime fiction. Your review is really great and I hope it encourages more people to read her, because she's amazing.
Now onto The Likeness! (my favorite)
Now onto The Likeness! (my favorite)
Diane wrote: "Wow! Great review, Samadrita. I thought this was just a typical murder mystery and have been avoiding it. But you've made me want to check it out!"
Diane, if I could I'd go on a rampage recommending this book to every one of my closest GR friends. But I am hoping my review will make at least a few add it to their tbr shelves. This is a brilliantly written book and I think it is right up your alley.
Diane, if I could I'd go on a rampage recommending this book to every one of my closest GR friends. But I am hoping my review will make at least a few add it to their tbr shelves. This is a brilliantly written book and I think it is right up your alley.
Garima wrote: "Spectacular review, Samadrita. My reading list next year will hopefully witness a successful(?) juggling between genres I haven't read before. So I'll look forward to the esteemed company of Ms. Tana."
I have a hunch you will love it, Garima. I am not much of a crime fiction reader either (at least not anymore) but lately I have taken to reading a few much-talked-about writers who have given a new twist to the traditional crime thriller. I would greatly encourage you to pick this up next year. And another bonus is Tana French's lyrical writing.
I have a hunch you will love it, Garima. I am not much of a crime fiction reader either (at least not anymore) but lately I have taken to reading a few much-talked-about writers who have given a new twist to the traditional crime thriller. I would greatly encourage you to pick this up next year. And another bonus is Tana French's lyrical writing.
Basuhi wrote: "Crime fiction, though sometimes interesting does not keep my attention for long because most of the times the emotional engagement is close to zero. I don't think I've added anything of that genre ..."
This is the perfect book to get acquainted with the genre although regular crime thrillers are much too different from the kind of stuff Tana French writes. I feel I haven't been able to do justice to the way this book captured my attention and held it till the end. And I guarantee your heart will go out to the characters and their dilemmas. Thank you for reading. :)
This is the perfect book to get acquainted with the genre although regular crime thrillers are much too different from the kind of stuff Tana French writes. I feel I haven't been able to do justice to the way this book captured my attention and held it till the end. And I guarantee your heart will go out to the characters and their dilemmas. Thank you for reading. :)
Jill wrote: "I'm beyond thrilled you loved this so much, Samadrita! You're right; it's disingenuous to consider this mere crime fiction. Your review is really great and I hope it encourages more people to read ..."
She is amazing. And a thank you to both you and Scarlet who fueled my interest in the series. You bet I will end up reading the 3 remaining books soon enough. I heard from Caroline that a movie is coming out. I hope it remains faithful to the book.
She is amazing. And a thank you to both you and Scarlet who fueled my interest in the series. You bet I will end up reading the 3 remaining books soon enough. I heard from Caroline that a movie is coming out. I hope it remains faithful to the book.
Wonderful review. The subtitle did not seem to appeal to me, with its reference to crime fiction, but I know that Samadrita does not give five stars to anything.
I loved this:
This book is about the labyrinthine pathways of our mind which treacherously conceal our most terrifying memories and how our subconscious prods us to replace the unpleasant truths with self-justifying falsities and even establishes our faith in them.
I loved this:
This book is about the labyrinthine pathways of our mind which treacherously conceal our most terrifying memories and how our subconscious prods us to replace the unpleasant truths with self-justifying falsities and even establishes our faith in them.
Stellar reviewing, as ever! I love the way you described the effect reading it had on you. This looks like one to read as soon as I can get my hands on it.
Kalliope wrote: "Wonderful review. The subtitle did not seem to appeal to me, with its reference to crime fiction, but I know that Samadrita does not give five stars to anything.
I loved this:
This book is about..."
The subtitle ticked me off to, that is until I discovered what a gem this was. I couldn't help but give it 5 stars, seeing that there's no way Tana French could've made it any better. And her writing is excellent too. Thanks for reading, Kall.
I loved this:
This book is about..."
The subtitle ticked me off to, that is until I discovered what a gem this was. I couldn't help but give it 5 stars, seeing that there's no way Tana French could've made it any better. And her writing is excellent too. Thanks for reading, Kall.
Juan wrote: "I've been meaning to get into reading some 'crime' fiction. The only stuff I've read is Larsson's trilogy, and it fascinated me. Maybe this book is a good place to start.. Great review!"
It's honestly a great book even if you take out the crime solving from the picture. Very well written in addition. I hope you enjoy reading, Juan.
It's honestly a great book even if you take out the crime solving from the picture. Very well written in addition. I hope you enjoy reading, Juan.
Lauren wrote: "Stellar reviewing, as ever! I love the way you described the effect reading it had on you. This looks like one to read as soon as I can get my hands on it."
And I am so happy you added it, Lauren. It would intrigue, depress, shock and terrify you at the same time. Tana French's writing is not to be missed.
And I am so happy you added it, Lauren. It would intrigue, depress, shock and terrify you at the same time. Tana French's writing is not to be missed.
The opening few lines were enough for me to promptly assign a place in my tbr to this work and by the time I reached the end, I was even more piqued by the intricacies that this book must have explored. The subtle childhood occurences and their impacts is something rarely documented and even rarely explored in this cut-throat world of 'major' causes and their even grander effects. The delicate human sensitivity is cup of tea of very few and perhaps seldom touched after Chekhov. You have strongly whetted the apetite for this book with your most poignant, personal yet analytical piece of writing... Thank you :)
I had added the novel on my TBR pile based solely on your recommendation, but after reading these heart-wrenching thoughts, this magnificent display of bittersweet sensitivity, taste and sorrow, pouring straight from your soul, I have simply hit the buy "button" and now I can only wait to read the novel and come back once again to re-read this overwhelming piece of writing. Samadrita, I my apologies for being repetitive, but you are such a talented writer that my heart swells with joy every time one of your reviews appears in my updates feed. Simply Marvellous Review.
I like how your personal narrative highlighted your reading experience, Samadrita. You're brave, reading crime literature while you're away from home:)
Tej wrote: "The opening few lines were enough for me to promptly assign a place in my tbr to this work and by the time I reached the end, I was even more piqued by the intricacies that this book must have expl..."
Thank you for reading, Tej and your ever insightful comment. This book deals in child murders and a good majority of the events hover on the issue of child psychology. I am happy to see you adding it to your tbr and hope you enjoy reading just as much as I did.
Thank you for reading, Tej and your ever insightful comment. This book deals in child murders and a good majority of the events hover on the issue of child psychology. I am happy to see you adding it to your tbr and hope you enjoy reading just as much as I did.
Dolors wrote: "I had added the novel on my TBR pile based solely on your recommendation, but after reading these heart-wrenching thoughts, this magnificent display of bittersweet sensitivity, taste and sorrow, po..."
I thought I should use the formal recommendation system just this once. I am really eager to see your own reaction to this book when you read it. Pick it up when you are looking for something relatively lighter (although it definitely cannot be categorized happy stuff). Thank you lovely Dolors for all the wonderful things you say all the time. Your encouraging words are like sunshine on this dreary December morning.
I thought I should use the formal recommendation system just this once. I am really eager to see your own reaction to this book when you read it. Pick it up when you are looking for something relatively lighter (although it definitely cannot be categorized happy stuff). Thank you lovely Dolors for all the wonderful things you say all the time. Your encouraging words are like sunshine on this dreary December morning.
Cheryl wrote: "I like how your personal narrative highlighted your reading experience, Samadrita. You're brave, reading crime literature while you're away from home:)"
Haha actually I wanted to bring something relatively lighter with me on vacation not any heavy reading material. Surprisingly it turned out, this wasn't the light reading I thought it to be. But I enjoyed every moment of reading this.
Haha actually I wanted to bring something relatively lighter with me on vacation not any heavy reading material. Surprisingly it turned out, this wasn't the light reading I thought it to be. But I enjoyed every moment of reading this.
Arnie wrote: "FWIW, my wife really liked Faithful Place by the same author."
That's good to hear. I plan on reading the entire series and hopefully everything that Tana French writes in the future.
That's good to hear. I plan on reading the entire series and hopefully everything that Tana French writes in the future.
I love her books, although as I've mentioned in my reviews, I think her books can be a little bloated. But her writing is excellent, if a little long-winded, and I agree that it is anything but formulaic! Each of her four books are outstanding. I'm listening to Broken Harbor and I love the narrator.
Suzy wrote: "I love her books, although as I've mentioned in my reviews, I think her books can be a little bloated. But her writing is excellent, if a little long-winded, and I agree that it is anything but for..."
This book did have its share of flaws - one or two issues with the way Detective Ryan didn't suspect the killer despite obvious clues and the significant slowing down of the pace in the middle. But something about it just hit me in the gut with the force of a meteorite. I hope to read the entire series soon.
This book did have its share of flaws - one or two issues with the way Detective Ryan didn't suspect the killer despite obvious clues and the significant slowing down of the pace in the middle. But something about it just hit me in the gut with the force of a meteorite. I hope to read the entire series soon.
Samadrita wrote: "Suzy wrote: "I love her books, although as I've mentioned in my reviews, I think her books can be a little bloated. But her writing is excellent, if a little long-winded, and I agree that it is any..."
You will find flaws in each of the books she's written, but it's interesting how she draws the reader in despite these flaws. I think it's through insightful storytelling with multiple story lines.
I meant to mention how much I loved your eloquent review! I shared it with a friend who loved the next 3 Tana F books, but had heard this one was not good so is not planning to read it. I'm encouraging her to check this one out - it's quite a ride.
You will find flaws in each of the books she's written, but it's interesting how she draws the reader in despite these flaws. I think it's through insightful storytelling with multiple story lines.
I meant to mention how much I loved your eloquent review! I shared it with a friend who loved the next 3 Tana F books, but had heard this one was not good so is not planning to read it. I'm encouraging her to check this one out - it's quite a ride.
Suzy wrote: "Samadrita wrote: "Suzy wrote: "I love her books, although as I've mentioned in my reviews, I think her books can be a little bloated. But her writing is excellent, if a little long-winded, and I ag..."
Oh no that's sad to hear she doesn't want to read this. I think this is a perfect beginning to the series since it grabs attention right away. I'd love to see Rob Ryan coming back later on in the series because the way this book ends for him is truly depressing. And I am glad you liked my review enough to share it with a friend. Thank you!
Oh no that's sad to hear she doesn't want to read this. I think this is a perfect beginning to the series since it grabs attention right away. I'd love to see Rob Ryan coming back later on in the series because the way this book ends for him is truly depressing. And I am glad you liked my review enough to share it with a friend. Thank you!
I'm so, so glad you loved this - it's by far my favourite book in the series (The Likeness is almost equally entertaining, but I found it a little less heartbreaking and more far-fetched) and I thought the open ending was perfect.
(view spoiler)
(view spoiler)
Leanne wrote: "I'm so, so glad you loved this - it's by far my favourite book in the series (The Likeness is almost equally entertaining, but I found it a little less heartbreaking and more far-fetched) and I tho..."
(view spoiler)
(view spoiler)
Scarlet wrote: "YAY YAY YAY You loved it!!! And what a brilliant review!! <33"
Haha I knew you would approve. I also loved The Likeness but a little less than this one.
Haha I knew you would approve. I also loved The Likeness but a little less than this one.
Agnieszka wrote: "Loved your review muuuuuuch more than the book. I somehow remained unmoved after reading."
*heartbreak* Glad you like the review though, Aga.
*heartbreak* Glad you like the review though, Aga.
Hershey wrote: "I so want this right now! Fantastic review, Samadrita!"
Glad you liked the review, Hershey. I hope the book affects you in the same manner it affected me.
Glad you liked the review, Hershey. I hope the book affects you in the same manner it affected me.
I couldn't have explained it any better. I finished today (after not being able to put it down this past week) and have been talking all day about how I feel heartbroken and empty and sad... but I feel so at a loss because I felt so connected throughout the book. This type of literature is so rare and I thought it was incredible, despite lack of certain resolutions... because life doesn't always provide us these things wrapped in a bow, despite how much we might yearn for it to. Thank you for coming up with the perfect words to describe this novel.