Shutter Island
In a masterful departure from the Boston-based hard-boiled mysteries he's known for, New York Times bestselling author Dennis Lehane (Mystic River) offers an atmospheric psychological thriller set in a 1950s asylum for the criminally insane.
It's 1954, and up-and-coming U.S. marshal Teddy Daniels is assigned to investigate the disappearance of a patient from Shutter Island's Ashecliffe Hospital. He'd been gunning for an assignment on the island for reasons of his own -- but before long he wonders whether he hasn't been brought there as part of a twisted plot by hospital doctors whose radical treatments range from unethical to illegal to downright sinister. Teddy's code-breaking skills soon provide a promising lead, but the hospital refuses him access to records he suspects would break the case wide open. As a hurricane cuts off communication with the mainland, more dangerous criminals "escape" in the confusion, and the puzzling, improbable clues proliferate, Teddy begins to doubt everything -- his memory, his partner, even his own sanity.
(summary from goodreads.com)
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A few years ago my siblings and I started a book group - we try to read one book a month and then discuss it over email. Sometimes our discussions are a little sparse, but it's fun to know we are all reading the same book. All of us like different genres so it's been a great way to get out of my comfort zone - and as the only girl in the group, I delight in making them read books I know they would never otherwise pick up. One of them said: "Oh great. Another dystopian novel. Let me guess - a girl meets a guy and they both save the world." Okay, maybe. But it's the journey that's important, brother dear, not the destination.
This book (shocker) was not one of my picks. I liked it but thought it was too long and drawn out. I'm not very good at reading long suspense books - I always cheat and look at the end. I know! Terrible habit. But it is so much more enjoyable for me to see all the twists and turns as they happen rather than being surprised by them. Are you all shocked now? Perhaps appalled? (After admitting this to my son, he said "Our book relationship is over!" Hmm, does that mean he'll stop borrowing my books?) The twist at the end was fun (regardless of knowing it in advance) but the whole story was tragic and horrible. I don't mind a little tragedy in my books - it spices things up. But this was too much, and had no happy ending to sweeten it.
This book (shocker) was not one of my picks. I liked it but thought it was too long and drawn out. I'm not very good at reading long suspense books - I always cheat and look at the end. I know! Terrible habit. But it is so much more enjoyable for me to see all the twists and turns as they happen rather than being surprised by them. Are you all shocked now? Perhaps appalled? (After admitting this to my son, he said "Our book relationship is over!" Hmm, does that mean he'll stop borrowing my books?) The twist at the end was fun (regardless of knowing it in advance) but the whole story was tragic and horrible. I don't mind a little tragedy in my books - it spices things up. But this was too much, and had no happy ending to sweeten it.
Mom note: As
a mother of readers, I also
want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or
would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I
forget. This is an adult book, so anything goes. Violence: yes - insanity resulting in brutality. Profanity: yes, a lot
Sex: crude references
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