On a soft summer night in Vermont, twelve-year-old Lisa went into the woods behind her house and never came out again. Before she disappeared, she told her little brother, Sam, about a door that led to a magical place where she would meet the King of the Fairies and become his queen.
Fifteen years later, Phoebe is in love with Sam, a practical, sensible man who doesn't fear the dark and doesn't have bad dreams -- who, in fact, helps Phoebe ignore her own. But suddenly the couple is faced with a series of eerie, unexplained occurrences that challenge Sam's hardheaded, realistic view of the world. As they question their reality, a terrible promise Sam made years ago is revealed -- a promise that could destroy them all.
Fifteen years later, Phoebe is in love with Sam, a practical, sensible man who doesn't fear the dark and doesn't have bad dreams -- who, in fact, helps Phoebe ignore her own. But suddenly the couple is faced with a series of eerie, unexplained occurrences that challenge Sam's hardheaded, realistic view of the world. As they question their reality, a terrible promise Sam made years ago is revealed -- a promise that could destroy them all.
My Thoughts
I was definitely excited to start reading this novel by Jennifer McMahon. I like seeing how people interpret folklore and legend and weave them into their stories. (Dark) fairies are no exception. Don't Breathe a Word follows two timelines: the present summer told from Phoebe's point of view, and; the summer from 15 years ago told from Lisa's point of view. Excerpts from "The Book of Fairies" prefix each part of the book, which I found entertaining -- it certainly made me want to read the "primary source".
I liked the slow unraveling of the story, and how you always knew there would be a twist with certain characters, but never really knowing what it would be. Thinking you've outsmarted the story, and then realizing you haven't. There is so much of this novel that is just 'untold', which is great for fostering discussion, so I would recommend it as a book club novel or as a high school lit class, but so annoying when you just want to spend time in your own mind and enjoy a good juicy read.
I thought the novel started off well, I didn't know where it was leading me, but I was intrigued. Through the middle, I got a little bored, and it took me a while to get through it because I kept falling asleep while reading! The pace picked up again at the end and it got a little more exciting, then... poof, it just ended. Open ended stories also annoy me. I understand what McMahon was trying to achieve here -- for the reader to come to their own conclusion as to what's real/crazy and what's not; if fae exist or if they are being used as scapegoat for very evil, but human, acts; which side is Sam on? -- But in the mindset I was in while I was reading it, it just felt like McMahon was being lazy. I appreciate it when books incite thought provocation regarding my own life, but when it just leaves me with more questions regarding plot holes uncovered by the author, I just get (here I go again) annoyed.
Not the worst read by far, but I can't honestly say I liked it. It was just okay.
Side Note
Although I went back to Niagara-on-the-Lake this week, and stocked up on 6 bottles of wine, I haven't actually had any yet. I started CrossFit three weeks ago and with it have been trying to eat a mostly Paleo diet. The version of the diet I've decided to follow doesn't actually restrict alcohol, but I've decided to put a pause on the casual sipping while reading for at least a few weeks. Time to buy more tea :)
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