The Ghostwriter by Alessandra Torre

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Goodreads really needs to implement a half star option because a 2.5 rating is perfectly appropriate for this book. And, being frank, the final 90 pages or so are the only reason I’m even awarding that many stars.

Wow - this one was BRUTAL to get through. I feel like I have said that or something similar when reviewing other novels, but there are multiple chapters in this book that revolve around A BABY COW BEING BIRTHED. How, you ask, does that scene make any sense or have any relevance in a supposed suspenseful work of contemporary fiction about a dying woman revealing her deep dark past? Oh, that’s right, it absolutely doesn’t. It’s pages (and pages and pages and pages) of this type of pointless filler that made me dread picking this book back up once I had put it down. I forced myself to finish by constantly reminding myself I could start something new the second I was done with this snoozefest.

But then - alas! - about 78% in (when I was 99% checked out), something interesting actually happened. Seemingly out of nowhere, the narrative flips it’s script and becomes what it was promised to be, a suspenseful and, dare I say, edge of your seat piece of literature. I genuinely enjoyed the chapters where the (incessantly miserable) Helena finally shares the “events of that day”, as it’s referred to. But sweet Jesus, it shouldn’t take over 200 pages to actually get going. Regardless, once it does, I couldn’t put the book down. Even though the big twist / reveal surrounding her husband was somewhat random, it was like being given filet mignon after weeks of ingesting a steady diet of wood chips. It was incredibly satisfying.

This author typically writes romance / erotica novels (nooooo thanks) and I couldn’t help but wonder if she simply lacks the ability to formulate an enticing storyline without mention of orgasms or nipple clamps? Because I can’t stress enough how boring and drawn out the majority of this book is. But with that said, I have to give credit where credit is due and admit the final chapters are certainly respectable and worth reading. It gets a bit sappy and emotional, but I’ll allow it. While I didn’t tear up like I’m sure some people did, I also didn’t feel like pouring kerosene on the pages and setting it aflame, so that’s an accomplishment.



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