Sunday, July 5, 2020

Book Review - This Little Family; Ines Bayard


AUTHOR:  Ines Bayard
PUBLISHER:  Other Press
PUB. YEAR: 2020
Setting: Paris
Format: ARC
Rating - 4.5/5

Did you ever read a book that gets darker and horrific with each new page yet, for some reason you just can't stop yourself from turning reading more? This is that kind of book.

The reader knows from that very first paragraph that this is not going to be a pleasant read:

"Little Thomas didn't have time to finish his stewed apple. His mother hadn't given him the slightest chance.  The speed at which the poison circulated through his blood simply meant he didn't suffer when he died.  Only Marie's body was still upright, securely wedged against the back of her chair, her head tipped back.  She must have struggled to ensure this was noticed.  Laurent had been served first.  Few people stumbling across these three ashen bodies could have imagined the warm laughter filling the room just moments before the tragedy occurred."

Yet, what drives a woman to this level of despair that she felt she had no choice but to poison herself, her husband and her young son?   Will any survive?

As the story unfolds, you learn what has happened to Marie. I can't say much more without giving spoilers, but, Marie has suffered in silence pretending all was well until she just couldn't go on another day.

I read this book, fewer than 275 pages, in just one sitting, I couldn't look away. The translation from the French was excellent.  The story drew me in and was such a compulsive read, however, it was so graphic that even someone like me who is not easily shocked found myself cringing at times. This is definitely not a book for everyone.

BEWARE: Dark, graphic, shocking and potential triggers for some readers.

13 comments:

  1. I don't normally do translations but this sounds really good! I want to know why! xxx

    Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net

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  2. Dark as this one sounds, it's hard to resist. And I'm always on the lookout for translations because they usually give a much more accurate take on cultures I'm not that familiar with. Sounds good.

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  3. I'm not too sure but I usually like creepy.

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  4. I've heard this is a compelling read, but it sounds a little too dark for me, at least right now. Maybe later when real life isn't so unsettling!

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  5. I'v had my fill, almost, of psych thrillers and am now reading contemporary romance! Thanks to books I'm finding on Kindle Unlimited. This book does sound like a good page turner tho.

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  6. Thanks for your thoughts. I haven't read a book like this in a long time. I'll check it out and see if I want to read it.

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  7. Wow, this book really got to you, obviously. It does sound dark and creepy but also fascinating.

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  8. Wow, this sounds super gripping ... and also very dark! I hadn;t heard of it yet, so thanks for the review -

    Sue

    2020 Big Book Summer Challenge

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  9. That is a dark, dark beginning! I feel like I haven't read a thriller in a while. I needed a break, but I just finished a book so maybe I'll dip back into the genre.

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  10. Oh my, I'm guessing I couldn't handle this book.

    💚

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  11. Whoa! I was captivated by your review.

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  12. Yep. I saw this somewhere and requested it. It sounds very dark but also hard to ignore.

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