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.

That made me snort wine out of my nose.

FF is utter pants, I’m so bored of everyone recommending her as a fabulous author. She isn’t.

Same with Harlan Coben - fluffy badly written trash.

Ah I love a bit of Harlan Coben though. Sure it's the most awful shite but it can be quite funny.

I call those supermarket books. Poorly writing, shaky plot, unrealistic. Brings nothing.

I read it because it was a gift and the friend who gave it to be was so excited about me reading it I didn't want to let her down. I banged through it in a couple of days. Guessed the twist early on. Genuinely believe it could have been written by A I. I wouldn't read anything else of hers

Such a basic read, I only pushed through as I love Amanda Seyfried and it’s been made into a film

I found the writing style banal and basic. Like a lot cleverer language personally.
Saying that it is a hugely successful book so I must be wrong. 😑

Was pretty dull. I did read to the end but largely uninspired. DD (older teen) enjoyed it and is keen to go and watch the film.

If only it worked like that....!!

I'm listening to it as well and the narrator's voice grates on me.

Oh I hate that! I wonder is it the same one who ruined an Andrea Mara audio on me last year.

I enjoyed it as a £0.99 kindle read.
Then I read another of hers and it was exactly the same pacing, the twist came at exactly the same time etc. Made me wonder if it was all different authors writing to a formula like Mills & Boon or Sweet Valley High.

I'm currently feeling this way about The Ministry of Time. Written for 12 year olds by AI. I get so tired of buying books because the concept is good, only to find the writing is clunky and basic.

I dont think she is a great writer, or even a good one but I enjoyed The Housemaid all the same. If books were food it would definitely be junk food, which i don't mind on occasion. But to answer your question op, no, it doesn't get any better.

Shit.
Just bought this because they raving about it at work.They are all lovely but not particularly “imaginative” so ishoukd have guessed . I had hoped as a film was made it might be interesting.

😂😂

I did that with red wine once - ie bought one that someone at work had suggested. Oh my Lord, never again. Even my DH couldn't stomach the sweetness! Down the sink it went.

I felt exactly the same! I thought it was simplistic & over contrived…I can’t believe it was so popular! As a film it worked quite well I guess (along the lines of Gone Girl but in my opinion nowhere near as good) but the book was so disappointing. I think as others have said perhaps it appeals to people who don’t read habitually.

I was away for the weekend and when I came home my 14yo son told me he'd read it over the last two nights... 🙈 Not suitable really but nothing I can do now. I'd left it in the hall for the charity shop.

I thought it was a pile of shite tbh.

@FuckRealityBringMeABook I love your phrase (which I read in my head with an Irish accent) “Sure it's the most awful shite” 😂 just brilliant!

Utter shite. I started reading the second Housemaid book and couldn’t get past the first chapter.

Give up. I did. She's a terrible writer.

They are like junk food or cheesy pop
music some people enjoy it for what it is. I thought the housemaid was ok, the end was pretty good but no it shouldn’t win any writing awards. Her early stuff is worse.

It’s very poor. Definitely give it up.

😀😂😀

Who is the narrator ?