Author: Alice LaPlante
Genre: Mystery, Standalone
Published: 2011
Personal Rating: 4.5/5 (excellent)
Format: Book/eBook - iPad
Format: Book/eBook - iPad
Yearly Count: 25
From the back cover:
Turn of Mind is a stunning first novel, both literary and thriller about a retired orthopedic surgeon with dementia. As the book opens, Dr. Jennifer White's best friend, Amanda, who lived down the block, has been killed, and four fingers have been surgically removed. Dr. White is the prime suspect. And she herself doesn't know whether she did it.
Told in her own voice, fractured and eloquent, a picture emerges of a complex family and the surprisingly intimate alliance between life-long friends--too proud, forceful women who were at times each other's most formidable adversaries.
Hooray! Another book gets added onto my Best Reads of 2011 list! Having a murder mystery intertwined with a dementia patient made for a very intriguing read. The progression of Jennifer's illness was depicted very well, and I could sympathize with her struggles. It was incredibly interesting to hear her thoughts as she went in and out of the here and now. I didn't become as attached to Jennifer, like I did with Alice in Still Alice (Genova), but I was certainly turning the pages just as fast.
The only thing I didn't care for was that lack of quotation marks. The distinction of dialog was implemented with Jennifer speaking in regular type and others in italics. I was off balance a couple of times, but quickly realized my mistake. I would have preferred the traditional method. Other than that, excellent read!
My thanks go to Grove/Atlantic, Inc. for sending me the ARC through Shelf Awareness and NetGalley for sending me the eGalley.
The only thing I didn't care for was that lack of quotation marks. The distinction of dialog was implemented with Jennifer speaking in regular type and others in italics. I was off balance a couple of times, but quickly realized my mistake. I would have preferred the traditional method. Other than that, excellent read!
My thanks go to Grove/Atlantic, Inc. for sending me the ARC through Shelf Awareness and NetGalley for sending me the eGalley.
I don't get the trend to leave out quotation marks because it really bugs me. I can overlook it if the book is good enough, though.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad this one worked so well for you. I have a copy packed away and will be looking forward to reading it in the fall.
ReplyDeleteBermudaonion ~ I pretty much followed the must-overlook-plan. :)
ReplyDeleteKay ~ I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I look forward to your thoughts.
All right! I'm looking forward to this one!
ReplyDeleteI don't light missing quotations much either or any kind of messing around with punctuation. It usually leaves me feeling as though the author is being pretentious, even if I enjoy the book.
This sounds really great actually...but the lack of quotation marks is annoying for me too!
ReplyDeleteNicola ~ It is "messing around," and I don't see the need for it. However, it is the author's prerogative, but I wonder if they realize how much it aggravates many readers.
ReplyDeleteStaci ~ No quotation marks is definitely a negative, but the story is really good. :)
Are you on Spring break this week?! I am! Oh happy reading/listening time for me! :)
Sold! I can overlook the lack of quotations. Did it with Plainsong and I loved that book. This sounds like a great read. Wish I had an ARC!!
ReplyDeleteLes ~ I'd give you mine, but it's a keeper. However, fellow iPad owner, you can get the eGalley.
ReplyDeleteOooh, good to know. Thanks, Joy!
ReplyDeleteLes ~ I sent you an email.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to this one, and now will be surely bugged by the lack of quotation marks....LOL
ReplyDeleteDiane ~ Hopefully you'll be so engrossed that you won't even notice. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up about the quotations marks, it may have taken me the whole book to figure it out ;) Since you loved this one so much I'm adding it to my list.
ReplyDeleteStacybuckeye ~ LOL Well, you have your mind and hands full with something of much greater importance than quotation marks, so it would be understandable. :)
ReplyDelete