Shining Girls or Apple Tree Yard?

[BaconAndAvocado]

Just bought both and can't choose which one to read first! Very excited!

I think both books are up my street, crime with a psychological edge - I think?!

Any preferences out there?

Apple Tree Yard - it's my next read :) And it's the MN book of the month too, so lots of chat about it on here.

I couldn't get through shining girls at all. So I would go for the other one.

Couldn't get into Shining Girls AT ALL. Really loved Appletree Yard though, couldn't put it down and would recommend.

Shining girls is bloody odd. I read masses and hated it.

Hated Shining Girls..... too gruesome, I couldn't finish it. Glad it was only a library copy!

Hi,

Yes Apple Tree Yard is Mumsnet's Jan book of the month, and Louise Doughty herself will be answering your questions about the book in a webchat on Tuesday 28 Jan 1-2pm if you're interested

Have started Shining Girls and really enjoying it!

So,if you could get the Shining Girls' author on, that would be even better!

Apple tree yard, I loved it.

I loved Appletree Yard too...

Can't wait to read it very soon, almost finished Shining Girls!

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For gods sake!
I found "Apple Tree Yard" terrible. The story was in many parts totally unbelievable and depresseng at the same time and all the characters were equally unlikable. It's a complete mystery to me how it has managed to become such a popular book. Sorry- just IMHO!I've got "The Shining Grils" ready on my kindle, I hope to good it's a better read!

I'm halfway through Apple Tree Yard at moment and am dying to find out what happens but agree with justkeeponsmiling that all the characters are horrible. It's like Gone Girl-compelling without being enjoyable.

I didn't like Apple Tree Yard either. Agree with mmack that it was compelling but not enjoyable. I skim read the last third because I couldn't be bothered with it but wanted to know what happened.

I speed-read the second half of it last night and there isn't even much of a twist. Plus it has some plot holes a mile wide. It doesn't stand up as crime fiction and it's not literary fiction. I can't understand how it is so popular.

Oh I hated Gone Girl, kept reading because I thought it may pick up, no. I really, really enjoyed Apple Tree Yard. It's not perfect, but yes, compelling.

I think Gone Girl worked better because it was just twisty, tricky entertainment . But Apple Tree Yard deals with some very serious issues about women in society and the legal system (don't want to say more for fear of spoilers). For me that just jarred with the thriller style writing.

Gone girl was just rubbish. I loathed it.