UPDATE
I was really torn about removing my glowing review of AJ Finn’s The Woman in the Window after I read this New Yorker article. I mean, yes, the article and everything that Finn (aka Dan Malloy) is accused of is disgusting and makes me definitely never want to read another of his books, but should that change the fact that I really liked this one? Like I said over on Instagram, it can be so hard to divorce the artist from the art, especially when the artist behaves badly. I’m leaving the review up for now, but what do you guys think about this controversy?
February 11, 2019
Synopsis
Anna Fox lives alone. She is a recluse in her New York City home, unable to venture outside. She spends her day drinking wine, watching old movies, recalling happier times, as well as spying on her neighbors.
Then the Russells move into the house across the way: a father, a mother, their teenage son. The perfect family. But when Anna sees something she shouldn’t, her world begins to crumble. Soon, all of her shocking secrets are laid bare.
What is real? Who is in danger? Who is in control? In this diabolically gripping thriller, no one, and nothing is what it seems.
My Rating
Wow. This is certainly one good that has lived up to all of the hype it has received in the media! I was not able to put it down for 2 solid days and, almost a month later, I still find myself thinking about it.
Agoraphobia and other mental health topics are so present in our lives today. It seems like everywhere we turn someone is mentioning mental health in new and more vocal ways than ever. Any author introducing a mental health diagnosis into a character runs the risk of alienating the entire community for that disease, and/or making the diagnosis a running joke. I think Finn did a great job of toeing the line between sensationalizing this particular facet of mental illness, agoraphobia, as a plot point in his narrative and making it an integral part of a broken character’s psyche, thus making her more real and tangible for the reader.
That being said, a book has never made me doubt myself so many times. By now, as an avid reader of mystery/thriller/suspense-type books, I can usually see a lot of the twists and turns coming from a mile away. Gone Girl? Kinda saw that coming way before I was supposed to…Cross Her Heart? I saw the “twist” at the end as well, long before the reader was supposed to know the main character was not quite as flawed as we originally thought. It gets harder and harder for me to suspend my disbelief while reading for long enough to find the finer points of this genre worthwhile.
Are some of the plot points of the novel a little bit trite? Yes, yes they are. Does this fit into the mold of recent books like Gone Girl or Girl on the Train with a female protagonist the reader is supposed to find a bit flawed and unbelievable? Yes, it does. But, guys. I just did not imagine the ending of this novel at all. And I bet you won’t either. In my mind, the ending of this story makes up for any doubting I did while I reading.
Definitely read The Woman in the Window. Go now, stop Internet-ing for the day, and get yourself a copy! If you’re looking for other Thriller/Suspense novels, check out our other book reviews!
Rating
Now it’s your turn. Have you read The Woman in the Window? Did you enjoy it as much as I did? If you want to chat about it please make sure to comment below or tag me on Instagram (@bookishkitchen #thebookishkitchen)! I love to hear from our followers.