Sunday, November 23, 2008

The Woods by Harlan Coben .

This thriller was published in 2007 and is the story of 4 teenagers who go missing 20 years ago in the woods. Now a body is found and the dark secrets of the past unfold.

I vote this book a HIT, it is well written and has a very good plot. Each chapter ends with a new and significant development in the story. There are many twists and turns throughout this novel but everything fits together in the end. The progress of this novel is well paced with a steady stream of developments that seem to appear with almost clockwork precision.

This novel is a thriller, it is plot driven and there is not much humour in the book. The funniest piece I can quote is from page 165...

My office is in the center of Newark. I keep hearing that there is a revitalization going on it this city. I don't see it. The city has been decaying for as long as I can remember. But I have gotten to know this city well. The history is still there, beneath the surface. The people are wonderful. We as a society are big on stereotyping cities the way we do ethnic groups or minorities. It is easy to hate them from a distance. I remember Jane's conservative parents and their disdain for all things gay. Her college roommate, Helen, unbeknownst to them, was gay. When they met her, both her mother and family simply loved Helen. When they learned Helen was a lesbian, they still loved her. Then they loved her partner.

That was how it often was. It was easy to hate gays or blacks or Jews or Arabs. It was more difficult to hate individuals.

...This book is an enjoyable read and explores the nature of secrets and why sometimes the past should be left behind. It makes you wonder what dark secrets all families can hold and you can understand why.
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