Book Review: In The Woods by Tana French
Jul. 10th, 2008 02:31 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
juushikaTitle: In The Woods
Author: Tana French
Published: New York: Viking, 2007
Rating: 5 of 5
Page Count: 429
Total Page Count: 55,508
Text Number: 160
Read For: personal enjoyment, checked out from the library
Short review: In 1984, in the small Irish town Knocknaree, three children entered a nearby wood—but only one emerged: silent, terrified, his shoes filled with blood. The bodies of his friends were never found, and the survivor could never remember what occurred in the woods. Twenty years later, Bob Ryan, the survivor, is called back to Knocknaree to investigate the murder of a twelve year old girl. Startling similarities may link this murder to the old unsolved case, but returning to his past threatens to destabilize Ryan's career and mental state. French combines the careful detail of a murder mystery with the rich atmospheric of a horror story, and the result is a gripping, darkly mysterious novel with a clever plot and realistic characters. It takes a few pages for the narrative to warm up and the book's unanswered questions may disappoint some readers, but I believe that the novel's atmosphere and pacing more than redeems these weaknesses. In The Woods grabbed me and would not let go, and I highly recommend it.
I am a critical reader, and I often have a hard time moving from criticism to appreciation—even with books that I genuinely enjoy. However, every so often a book comes along that I enjoy so completely that I can ignore its faults, even when I know they're there—and In The Woods is such a book. This novel is not perfect: The opening prologue is stilted and dry, which makes for a horrible introduction to the text. The narrator frequently addresses the reader, a literary trope with destroys the suspension of disbelief. Worst of all, the ending—without giving it away—remains somewhat open-ended. This preserves the book's atmosphere, but the unfinished conclusion leaves the reader hanging, potentially confused and disappointed.
I see these weaknesses, but I genuinely don't care. In The Woods captured me completely. French interweaves two stories—the present murder case and Ryan's unknown past—such that the two plotlines are companions and foils, each exploring but never quite revealing the secrets of the other. They are skillfully paced and, excepting minor weaknesses, told. Ryan and his partner Maddox are realistically faulted, empathetic characters, and French spends time developing their personalities and relationship. But what brings all of these aspects to life is the atmosphere: haunting and shrouded by mystery, Ryan's past cast a shadow over entire book, creating gravitas, horror, and tense anticipation. It is the product of some skill, and it swept me away: heart pounding, I read the entire book in one day.
Therefore, I rate In The Woods highly and I give it an enthusiastic recommendation. There are weaknesses, and other reviews show that the ending disappointed some readers, but its other aspects redeem the novel and the atmosphere is a rare delight. This is not the best or the most meaningful novel that I have ever read, but I loved it. I am an avid reader, but only a handful of books have captured me so completely—and I treasure the experience. This is a strong first novel, and I look forward to more from Tana French. I recommend In The Woods to all interested readers. If the concept intrigue you, then pick up the book—French does a marvelous job of sustaining and building the haunting mystery of that concept through to the end.
Review posted here on Amazon.com.
Author: Tana French
Published: New York: Viking, 2007
Rating: 5 of 5
Page Count: 429
Total Page Count: 55,508
Text Number: 160
Read For: personal enjoyment, checked out from the library
Short review: In 1984, in the small Irish town Knocknaree, three children entered a nearby wood—but only one emerged: silent, terrified, his shoes filled with blood. The bodies of his friends were never found, and the survivor could never remember what occurred in the woods. Twenty years later, Bob Ryan, the survivor, is called back to Knocknaree to investigate the murder of a twelve year old girl. Startling similarities may link this murder to the old unsolved case, but returning to his past threatens to destabilize Ryan's career and mental state. French combines the careful detail of a murder mystery with the rich atmospheric of a horror story, and the result is a gripping, darkly mysterious novel with a clever plot and realistic characters. It takes a few pages for the narrative to warm up and the book's unanswered questions may disappoint some readers, but I believe that the novel's atmosphere and pacing more than redeems these weaknesses. In The Woods grabbed me and would not let go, and I highly recommend it.
I am a critical reader, and I often have a hard time moving from criticism to appreciation—even with books that I genuinely enjoy. However, every so often a book comes along that I enjoy so completely that I can ignore its faults, even when I know they're there—and In The Woods is such a book. This novel is not perfect: The opening prologue is stilted and dry, which makes for a horrible introduction to the text. The narrator frequently addresses the reader, a literary trope with destroys the suspension of disbelief. Worst of all, the ending—without giving it away—remains somewhat open-ended. This preserves the book's atmosphere, but the unfinished conclusion leaves the reader hanging, potentially confused and disappointed.
I see these weaknesses, but I genuinely don't care. In The Woods captured me completely. French interweaves two stories—the present murder case and Ryan's unknown past—such that the two plotlines are companions and foils, each exploring but never quite revealing the secrets of the other. They are skillfully paced and, excepting minor weaknesses, told. Ryan and his partner Maddox are realistically faulted, empathetic characters, and French spends time developing their personalities and relationship. But what brings all of these aspects to life is the atmosphere: haunting and shrouded by mystery, Ryan's past cast a shadow over entire book, creating gravitas, horror, and tense anticipation. It is the product of some skill, and it swept me away: heart pounding, I read the entire book in one day.
Therefore, I rate In The Woods highly and I give it an enthusiastic recommendation. There are weaknesses, and other reviews show that the ending disappointed some readers, but its other aspects redeem the novel and the atmosphere is a rare delight. This is not the best or the most meaningful novel that I have ever read, but I loved it. I am an avid reader, but only a handful of books have captured me so completely—and I treasure the experience. This is a strong first novel, and I look forward to more from Tana French. I recommend In The Woods to all interested readers. If the concept intrigue you, then pick up the book—French does a marvelous job of sustaining and building the haunting mystery of that concept through to the end.
Review posted here on Amazon.com.
