About:
"For readers of Gillian Flynn and Tana French comes one of the decade’s most anticipated debuts, to be published in thirty-six languages around the world and already in development as a major film from Fox: a twisty, powerful Hitchcockian thriller about an agoraphobic woman who believes she witnessed a crime in a neighboring house.
It isn’t paranoia if it’s really happening . . .
Anna Fox lives alone—a recluse in her New York City home, unable to venture outside. She spends her day drinking wine (maybe too much), watching old movies, recalling happier times . . . and spying on her neighbors.
Then the Russells move into the house across the way: a father, a mother, their teenage son. The perfect family. But when Anna, gazing out her window one night, sees something she shouldn’t, her world begins to crumble—and its shocking secrets are laid bare.
What is real? What is imagined? Who is in danger? Who is in control? In this diabolically gripping thriller, no one—and nothing—is what it seems.
Twisty and powerful, ingenious and moving, The Woman in the Window is a smart, sophisticated novel of psychological suspense that recalls the best of Hitchcock."
As I mentioned, I listened to it in Audible. I liked it pretty well. There were definitely some surprises and lots of twists. It is a long book. There are many references to Hitchcock movies and other old black and white movies. Since I like both, that was kind of fun to revisit some of those titles. The narrator was very good. She was able to change voices and was actually a good actress, putting a lot of emotion into the narration.
What did the MBC members think? (I would guess we had about 20 people in attendance.) The majority really liked it, reading this 455 page book in one or two days, "couldn't put it down", and "it was a page turner". A few people felt it was too long and could have been edited down. A couple of people started it and didn't read it. I got the impression psychological thrillers aren't their thing.
We also talked about the author; A.J. Finn. That is a pseudonym for Daniel Mallory. I will let you look him up if you like. Interesting.
This book has already been made into a movie coming out in October 2019 starring Amy Adams, Julianne Moore and Gary Oldman.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6111574/
Finally, I would say it really reminded me of some Hitchcock - Rear Window and Gaslight. Also there are so many girls and woman in windows, trains, mirrors etc. that I think that is overused now.
Did you know there is a 1944 film noir titled The Woman in the Window? It stars Edward G. Robinson and Joan Bennett. The story isn't the same but it is really good.
I've read a little about the author - definitely enough to make me raise my eyebrows! I have this one in audio and am glad to see you enjoyed it. I find this kind of thriller works best for me in audio as they do tend to run to the too long side and I have more patience in that format. I'm glad to see The Woman in the Window mention. I recorded that movie a few months ago and have been looking forward to watching it. I do love Edward G. Robinson!
ReplyDeleteI think you will enjoy both this book and the old black and white Woman in the window. We watch a lot of TCM movies. I am a Dark Shadows fan from the late 60's early 70's and that is where I first saw Joan Bennett. :)
ReplyDeleteGood summary of the book group event, Gayle. And how fun that there is another movie by that name. I'm curious about the movie based on this book. Wonder how it will do? Not sure I'd pay to go to the movie theater for it, but I might watch it when it comes out on Netflix or something.
ReplyDeleteYes I am not sure about the movie. I usually wait for Netflix on everything now anyhow, so may catch it on that. Interested to see how they capture some aspects of it.
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