Helpful Score: 4
BLUE ASYLUM was the November 2012 pick in my online book club, The Reading Cove. And I must say, to my delight, I enjoyed it a lot more than I was expecting to!
I'd read Kathy Hepinstall's The Absence of Nectar and The House of Gentleman years ago, and found the writing style boring, just wasn't for me. So when her latest, Blue Asylum, was picked for book club, I cringed...but in the spirit of being a good member, I decided to give it a go and I'm so glad I did!
The book gets off to a very engaging start with Iris Dunleavy being wrongfully committed to an insane asylum off the coast of Florida. The pacing is wonderful - short and concise chapters help to keep things moving and your interest high in getting to know the many characters in the asylum.
And the novel takes its time filling in blanks, which also keeps you turning the pages.
There were also many laugh-out-loud moments in the first half of the story as we learn about some of the patients on the island, adding a comedic tone to the dark, gothic atmosphere.
While I was disappointed in the last quarter of the book and the way things wrapped up, the story and characters were engaging enough to enjoy overall.
I give this one 3.5 out of 5 stars, or a solid B.
I'd read Kathy Hepinstall's The Absence of Nectar and The House of Gentleman years ago, and found the writing style boring, just wasn't for me. So when her latest, Blue Asylum, was picked for book club, I cringed...but in the spirit of being a good member, I decided to give it a go and I'm so glad I did!
The book gets off to a very engaging start with Iris Dunleavy being wrongfully committed to an insane asylum off the coast of Florida. The pacing is wonderful - short and concise chapters help to keep things moving and your interest high in getting to know the many characters in the asylum.
And the novel takes its time filling in blanks, which also keeps you turning the pages.
There were also many laugh-out-loud moments in the first half of the story as we learn about some of the patients on the island, adding a comedic tone to the dark, gothic atmosphere.
While I was disappointed in the last quarter of the book and the way things wrapped up, the story and characters were engaging enough to enjoy overall.
I give this one 3.5 out of 5 stars, or a solid B.
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