The Housemaid - Give up or does it get better?

[VikingsandDragons]

Everyone at my book group was shocked that I've never read anything by Frieda McFadden, so I started on The Housemaid to see what all the fuss is about. I'm 20% in and really bored, it just feels like the story isn't progressing and it's all a bit simplistic. Normally I think life is too short to continue a book I'm not enjoying, but everyone was so insistent she's an incredible author I'm reaching out to a different group of bookworms to ask your opinions on this one.

I gave up on it too. And life is too short for boring books no matter that other people like them!

I stuck it out to the end because I'd read there was a twist at the end and I was interested enough to want to find out what it was

But if you think The Housemaid is bad don't ever try Ward D. It's abysmal and it would be an insult to children's literature to say that's the level of maturity it's aimed at

Her books are awful. No idea why she's so popular.

I'd give up.
I quite enjoyed it, though I think it is poorly written and the twists are signposted at a ten mile radius. But like a large bar of Cadbury's Dairy Milk, it didn't feel right not to get to the end despite the palm oil.

I didn’t get to the end either. I feel like these books are for people who don’t normally read much.

I really don’t know why people bother reading books like these, ‘snack reads’. Her prose is incredibly simple and her characters lack complexity. In what why is she a ‘good’ writer? I would be quite happy to watch one if her stories were on TV. I am in no way an entertainment snob but why would I spend £8.99 on a book which I will never read again, has used up paper and will clutter my house and gather dust? I could just relax and consume her story on TV in an hour or so for free.

Funny you should say that because I did google to see if The Housemaid was a YA book as the writing style reminds me so much of my 13 year old's recent gothic writing school assignment!

Thank you all, you've made me feel a lot more certain it's not worth the slog for me and I'm not going to be missing out by not completing it

I gave up too. I've also tried some Sally Rugby after they were recommended on threads here. They are pretty bad too.

I keep a list of bad authors (!) Because I have a tendency to forget...CM Ewan; KL Slater; Sophie Draper; BA Paris.

Apologies if anyone likes these or an author sees this. It is simply my personal taste and I'm fussy.

I didn’t give up on it but wasn’t shocked at the supposed twist in it. Zero shock factor . I read it in 2 days so if you’re a quick reader you can get it out the way quick .

I listened to it on audible and was underwhelmed. I got to the end and am not sure what the twist was - not sure I spotted it.

All I know the ending was very convenient and I was glad when it was over!

I've had a really bad run of new authors lately there is some drivel out there!

I managed a couple of chapters then gave up.
Same with Richard Osmans first book. Unless he's got much better, I can't imagine why either of them are so popular.

Thanks for this thread, I keep seeing adverts for this, now I'll skip it. Nicecatneighbour I agree about Richard Osman.

All of her books feel very teenage point horror-y, the type of stuff I used to read aged 15. I mean it’s fine, enjoyable if you like that kind of thing but I get bored of them easily. Once you’ve read one you get to know how she writes and I found myself correctly guessing the twist in the next ones I tried.

Different readers have different requirements. Some like twisty and incredibly complex thrillers and others (maybe those who aren't great readers) like very much more simplistic fiction with short words and easy-to-follow stories. I know someone who writes 'thrillers' that read very much as though they were written by someone who has never read a thriller in their life, and her books are incredibly successful.

So it's horses for courses really. We should be glad that people are reading at all really, rather than condemning their reading material. But I always give up on a book if it hasn't gripped me by page 10, otherwise I just get angry.

Ooooh I love all her books! Enjoyed the housemaid and waiting to be able to watch the film once it’s available online.

I often read one of her books in a few hours- not to say they are bad, I just can’t put them down! easier to follow than some twist type books where you need to try and remember who is linked to who and lose track 😆

It’s just lightweight trash - just another airport and supermarket author who’s managed to elevate her profile above the other rubbish. Mildy entertaining but brainless fodder.

Somebody whose opinions I usually trust recommended this to me. I managed about 4 pages. Looked total trash.

I read this recently. It made me feel like when I finish the kids' leftover chicken nuggets.

They’re for people who don’t normally read. Similar to Colleen Hoover.

I only finihed it to watch the movie. Dreadful writer.

I agree it seems obvious and has been done to death.

I had been recommended this and found it clunky and simplistic to start but that's on purpose. I stuck with it and really enjoyed it.

I agree with pp. Felt like something light and read it in 2 days. Like others I had guessed the twist but continued on anyway. I spent much of it thinking 'I could write this!'

The idea that they're for 'people who don't usually read'- my SIL is constantly reading and this is the type of thing she likes. Horses for courses is right.

Back to my Robert Galbraith now.

not only did I not give up I ready the sequels when away with a couple of paper copies and not much else.

the first was simplistic but I thought just about readable when on a beach, subject to interruptions and when not wanting your brain engaged to heavily, the sequel dire.

I’d imagine the reading age and plot suitability age would be about age 10