Customer Reviews

Shame

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I've been reading novels by Scandinavian authors for the last year but they have been crime dramas/murder mysteries. I was told by one of amazon's sellers that this book is more of a psychological thriller. It is very much a character study, and excellently written. I plan to purchase/read more of Karin Alvtegen's novels (which are not carried in my local library).

Excruciating slow-building psychological novel delving deep into the psyche of two female characters apparently overburdened by the strict religious ethos and disciplines of Lutherans in those parts. Beautifully rendered, and literary, without any of the contrivances of the Scandanavian policers so popular now. Yes, three died, but all in the backstory. Heart-rending in parts, as re the death of a small child.

I'd read Alvtegen's Missing and Betrayal before and liked her skillful writing. Shame was as good as the others. Those who like crime novels with real characters and psychological motives will no doubt like it.

I loved Karin Alvtegen's "Missing", and thought highly of her second novel, "Betrayal". "Shame" continues the similar psychological exploration of characters placed in extreme situations. While the first two novels were compulsive reading, "Shame" just becomes tiresome in its unrelenting focus of masochistic self destructive behavior from its two main characters. And that's a shame because the writing (as well as its translation) itself is so clear and direct. This reader needed to feel sympathy for the plight and pain of the two main characters to stay interested in their stories, but the author refused to allow any sort of joy or true happiness for the two women. Only at the very end was there some sort of redemption, but it was so late and rather brief for any cathartic payoff.

I find this author tiresome at best. Her characters are not like able people. Equally annoying ... The kindle version is all in italics and I kept waiting for a regular typeface throughout the whole book. The plot is predictable and I have no idea why this book is considered a mystery or a thriller. It is neither.

I bought this because it was an Amazon recommendation. First of all, this is not a crime thriller. It is a 'poor me' pity pot book. If you enjoy women writers who write along these lines, this is a good book for you. It may also appeal to Dostoevsky fans.

This is a beautifully written mystery into the workings of the heart nd mind of us fragile humans. I loved it, and read it oover three nights.

Brillian and involving and chilling.

Karen Alvtegen can keep you up way past your bedtime with these eerie stories of people gone off the curb. I love her writing and highly recommend her books.