It reminded me that there was a world outside this house: a world of vastness and unimaginable beauty a world that, for now, remained out of my reach. Somehow grasping at vanishing snowflakes is like grasping at happiness: an act of possession that instantly gives way to nothing. It felt joyous and frustrating and spoke to some truth I couldn’t express my vocabulary was too limited, my words too loose a net in which to catch it. I held my hands outstretched, catching snowflakes, watching them vanish on my fingertips. My mother went to bed and I pretended to sleep, then I snuck out the garden and stood under the falling snow. When I looked back at page 15, I was captivated by Alex Michaelides’ knack for describing a feeling, no matter how fleeting. On the final page of the book, Theo reaches out to catch a snowflake.It made Theo’s motives even more disturbing. However, we come to find out that that these stories have spanned over several years. Upon first read, it seems that all of the plot lines are happening around the same time. It was difficult to follow the timelines throughout the story.Having Alicia’s journal sprinkled throughout the book was marvelous! I liked to read her erratic perspective against the perplexity of Theo’s delusions.It was interesting to hear the other readers’ thoughts, predictions, and favorite characters/plot twists. This book sparked rich conversation and intense speculation. “Is it Diomedes? NO, IT HAS TO BE MAX! Wait, Christian is absolutely involved!” It was great fun!! As we were reading, Shanna and I hosted two Zoom meetings to discuss all of these ideas with friends. I appreciated the numerous “leads” woven into this story.A remarkable job on Alex Michaelides’ part. I don’t know about you…but I can visualize Alicia’s work, in my mind so clearly! Plus, the paintings provided a few clues along the way. It is funny to think that, as readers, we never have the chance to SEE one of Alicia’s paintings. I liked the author’s use of painting in this story.If Alicia survived, at the end of the story, I truly hope she received the help and peace that she deserved. Sadly, this is all before she is sentenced for the murder of her husband. It is heartbreaking! Alicia cries for help through her paintings and is continually let down. However, when Alicia begins to see a man following her…Gabriel does not believe her claims. She puts him on a pedestal and devotes her life to pleasing him. Alicia desperately tries to adopt some sense of normalcy when she marries Gabriel. She mirrored Theo in the fact that her childhood was also destructive. Alicia is going to be a character who stays with me for a long time.319), Theo thinks “That’s the terrible irony: I did all this to keep Kathy-and I’ve lost her anyway.” To make it even worse, Theo compromised the lives of others in the process. He sought out help from Ruth, but ended up lying and relying on his own delusions in the end. He had a traumatic childhood, which is important to recognize. His character was creepy, obsessive, and pathetic from start to finish. My opinion: I enjoyed the fact that I did NOT like Theo right from the start of the book.My heart was racing throughout the entire book.
The chapters are quick, exciting, and leave you eager to know more. I read this book in about three sittings. This book was excellent!! The writing, the pace, the unreliable characters, the mystery….SO GREAT! I loved the fact that the author left us guessing until the very end.
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