I usually ask others to read books from different countries and origins. But my own practice lacks that determination. I would try to avoid foreign authors may be due to my comfort zone with Indian authors. Not just that once in a while when I take books of the said category my mind went through a hell lot of tantrums. It makes me feel "I am not getting it Vishnu. Don't read more". But then my heart pursue it till my mind able to cope up with narration style. "The Friend" by Teresa Driscoll was one such experience for me. Until I reached the milestone of 70 pages my mind has tried all possible distraction to leave the book but I persisted.
Book Blurb
On a train with her husband, miles from home and their four-year-old son, Ben, Sophie receives a chilling phone call. Two boys are in hospital after a tragic accident. One of them is Ben.
She thought she could trust Emma, her new friend, to look after her little boy. After all, Emma’s a kindred spirit—someone Sophie was sure she could bare her soul to, despite the village rumours. But Sophie can’t shake the feeling that she’s made an unforgivable mistake and now her whole family is in danger.Because how well does she know Emma, really? Should she have trusted her at all?Time is running out. Powerless to help her child, still hours from home, Sophie is about to discover the truth. And her life will never be the same.
The friend is the story of a countryside town called Tedbury. The protagonist of our story is Sophie. The author has divided suspense into two parallels. In current time Sophie got a call that her son along with another kid was admitted to the hospital. She was on the train when she received the news. During the long train journey, she recalled how she ended up in this situation. So what she recalled? There comes our mysterious character called Emma. A new lady in Tedbury who became Sophie's best friend from the day one. The lady whom disliked by his husband and closed friends but she didn't listen to. It is her (Emma's) past that is bothering current of Sophies's life. A suspense that makes you go through the book.
Coming to writing style, it is a completely different experience for me. I am not kidding when I said I struggle to overcome the benchmark of 70 pages. the book is intermingled with past-present, character-emotion, story-fillers. The books not for beginners. You need to read it with full concentration. Coming to language portion, it is easy to follow. Characterization is brilliant and plots it also excellent. Only weak nerve it the narration style, if you can catch it you will love the book. I fumble for the first 3rd and that has affected my experience overall.
Talking about ratings
- Cover - 4/5
- Characters - 4/5
- Content - 3/5
- Concept - 3/5
- Overall - 3/5
Reviews from other readers can be found at GoodReads
We would like to thank Writers'Melon for providing us the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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