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321 pages, Paperback
First published October 2, 2017
this was another stellar Traveling Sister read! All of us thoroughly enjoyed it, and we had a wonderful discussion as usual.... once again ladies thank you for adding so much to my reading experience!💕
*Spoiler Alert*
Sad, sad, sad. Phew....
How can one love a book while simultaneously hating the main character? Huh?
There's no doubt in my mind that Torre is one of the best authors of the contemporary fiction genre. And The Ghostwriter is a testament to how she's evolved as a writer. For one, the pacing manages to keep one engrossed from prologue to epilogue with ĵust enough back story to keep you wondering what was this damning secret.
Weirdly, this story is reminiscent of Mud Vein because not only are both protagonists authors but they are, easily, the least likeable and monumentally selfish characters that I've read. Ever. But unlike Mud Vein, I actually loved this book although I absolutely disliked, Helena, our main protagonist. I mean, this was a woman who was dying from cancer yet I couldn't find a modicum of sympathy for her plight.
But you know, I think Torre doesn't actually want us to like Helena. I think knowing what an awful person she was made the story infinitely more impactful so when we eventually get the big reveal, it feels authentic. Like, yes, I can see how she would be capable of doing what she did.
As with most psychological thrillers, the journey and the whodunit are what keep the reader engaged which Torre parses in measured intervals and as we navigate Helena's past, she even succeeds in eliciting our empathy.
Eventually, we get the big reveal and, OMG, it was tragic on too many levels. Too many.
"Someone has to know the truth."
Helena Park's is a successful author, but by no means perfect. She is outspoken to a fault, bitter, difficult and needs help desperately (from an unlikely adversary) to meet a pressing deadline for a story that must be told....a story filled with painful memories and secrets too awful to recall....her story.
With no knowledge of the storyline going in, THE GHOSTWRITER shocked me. It turned out to be so much more than I envisioned at the start. At first I thought we might be headed for a work of women's fiction, but instead found myself reading a gripping, well-plotted story with good characters, surprising twists and suspenseful pacing to the text.
Not sure how I missed this one last year, but what a great addition to my January reads! Highly recommend.
THE GHOSTWRITER was such a heartbreakingly sad story. A very moving and emotional last chapter in the life of a bestselling author. Don't be afraid - read it!!!