by Jean-Luke Swanepoel
From the synopsis: "Brimming with heart and gentle humor, and not wasting a single word, The Thing About Alice is a study in character no reader will easily forget."
I guess a study in character is how I would describe this book, even though none of the characters is very deeply examined. I found it difficult to follow and confusing. To be honest, that could simply be due to my poor memory while trying to keep track of the characters and their relationship or relevance to Alice. But honestly, it was like sitting and listening to a friend recount all that has happened in her neighborhood, while not being overly interested in all these people I don't really know. Some of it is very sad and I feel empathetic, but like the empathy you might feel while watching a news story on TV. Just pour me another glass of wine, please.
And I may have become a bit concerned about my friend who is telling me these stories, especially when she comes to the end, telling one last anecdote which I suspect ends unpleasantly, yet I am not quite certain.
"The thing About Alice" left me wanting a real story but happy that it was over. I give it just 2 of 5 shots. I had really hoped to award it more.
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to preview The Thing About Alice, to be published May 21, 2020.
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