GIRL A: The Sunday Times and New York Times global best seller, an astonishing new crime thriller debut novel from the biggest new literary fiction voice

Rating: 2.3/5There are times when you can appreciate the quality of someone's writing, but without really enjoying the book. This was one of those occasions.I had heard such good things about this novel and I was really looking forward to reading it. It is generally well written, with some evocative use of language, but, after an encouraging opening, the story never really drew me in and made me engage with the characters. The premise was appealing and there was plenty of potential for heart wrenching, emotional feeling to be evoked. However, I was never quite drawn to that point and found it all a bit flat.Stylistically, the narrative was also awkward to follow at times and I found myself having to re-read sections to ensure that I had picked things up correctly. This was mostly due to frequent switches of time frame in the narrative, without any clear indication of the change. This may be a case of the author employing a literary device to try to reflect the state of Lex's mind, but, if that was the intention, I am not convinced that it achieved its aim.This seems to be marketed as a mystery thriller, but I would view more as a psychological character study into coping with and surviving a major trauma. In this respect, the writer addresses some serious issues in a candid and sometimes interesting way, but I can't help feeling that the most fascinating elements had already been covered in the first quarter of the book and the remainder of the story largely retreads the same ground.Some other early reviewers have scored this highly, so perhaps they have managed to derive something from this that just eluded me.

I read 31% of this book and came to the conclusion someone was having a joke with the crime fans out there. I read about 25% of the last 'international bestseller from the Sunday Times before I decided someone was having a joke with historical fiction fans, too. In that case (bodysnatchers theme) the author got his 'facts' screamingly wrong. I know, I've done the research. Then there was the Stephen King rip off...Three books I thought would be worth having unceremoniously deleted from the kindle. It isn't as satisfying as binning it, though.So what's wrong with Lex's story - so far? Confusing, why does anyone need Mother and mother in one story and expect the reader to know who they're talking about, why does anyone expect the reader to follow the change of time scales and still retain empathy for the characters? That went from the first chapter, actually. When you find yourself constantly checking the percentage read all the time, you know you made a mistake. There are about a dozen 'crime writers' whose books will never grace my kindle again because of dull or incredibly bad (or both) writing but at least I can return them to the Prime library and attempt something else in their place, free.The biggest problem with Lex is she is seriously unconcerned by all that happens to her, describing her wounds as if they were flea bites, describing the removal of her siblings to other families as if she didn't care she would never see them again... shared misery creates bonds that with 'normal' people would bind them together.Over rated, confused, dull, nothing to make the reader read on. I can see a cocktail party of 'readers' enthusing over this and thinking those of us who can see the faults don't know what we're on about. That one's a matter of opinion but the other Sunday Times one, bodysnatchers, had the author starting the body snatching season in the heights of summer... stinking corpses and all. Bodysnatchers started in the Autumn.. at least the sensible English ones did anyway. That was an Australian writer... they live upside down to us as far as seasons go.Simple recommendation, avoid ALL Sunday Times best sellers - there's many good books out there who come without the hype but with a first class story and good writing. Give them a chance, yes?

I found it tedious and boring. Another reminder if I read the same book as the people who rate it.

Girl A is the stunning and unforgettable debut from author Abigail Dean and easily has a place in the top 5 best books I have ever read.Girl A is a gripping and excellently written novel that’s dark and edgy as you become absorbed in it from the first page. Lex Gracie is the perfect narrator, as she recounts her and her sibling’s childhood, in the house of horrors they grew up in with their parents.It’s how they’ve all found their own ways to deal with what happened to them. And Lex finding the courage to confront their horrific past and learn the true power of forgiveness and moving on.Girl A is a novel I read in one entire sitting. I didn’t stop until I had finished it. It’s a story that radiates power. It will change you. it’s heart-wrenching at times, the twist in it and the ending are heartbreaking but feel oddly right and satisfying. It’s truly the most powerful and unforgettable debut novel from an author we have ever read.Abigail Dean has written a story that will be talked about for generations to come. It’s a book you will never forget reading.

This book is a truly brilliant debut novel. The characters are written beautifully, with the narrative switching back between their childhoods spent in the ‘house of horrors’ to the present day. The book really focuses on the after effects of trauma - how does each sibling move on from what they experienced?It’s been marketed and reviewed in places as ‘dark and disturbing’ and yes, there are some parts that are difficult to read and imagine. But the abuse the characters suffered as children is implied rather than graphically detailed. There are also parts of the book that have genuine humour in them, and - by the end - the whole thing feels actually much more inspiring and life-affirming than negative.I also have to say that there is a fantastic twist. Perhaps some people might see it coming but my jaw genuinely dropped. It was brilliant and really turned the book on its head for me.All in all, this is a really accomplished debut novel and one that will stay with me. I’d highly recommend it to other people - in fact, I already have and my friends have echoed my thoughts too so far!