The Woman in the Window Review
- Mars Taylor
- Feb 4, 2021
- 3 min read
As an avid reader and an ambivert, I naturally seek out the companionship of other readers. About two years or so, I joined a book club on Discord and never looked back. Every month, the owner of the server and the moderators offer two books: a monthly book, and a bonus book. You can read one, both, or neither. I've made fair use of all of the author and genre channels, but never really been an active participant in the monthly books. During the month of February, the monthly book is The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn, which I read in 2 days, and the bonus book is Jim Butcher's The Aeronaut's Windlass (The Cinder Spires, #1). I'm hoping to read and review both!
Warning: The following review may contain spoilers for The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn.
Summary:
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.
My Review:
This is such a quick read, it really flew for me! The writing style is engaging and the short chapters catered to my busy lifestyle. At first, I felt really bad for Anna. The longer the story continued, the less pity I felt. And then I felt bad again towards the big plot twist. This book was a roller coaster. every few chapters I gasped. it kept twisting and turning! The climax was terrifying. I couldn’t tell if it was an unreliable narrator or gaslighting until the end. I do wish the side characters had been fleshed out more though, and now that I’ve read this once, I don’t think I’d ever come back for a reread or buy it. 2/5 stars.
My Favorite Line(s):
“Their wedding registry lives on at Macy’s. I could still buy them flatware.” It’s so funny to think that little aspects will remain after the love is gone and the marriage is over.
“‘Half the guys on these apps are using five-year-old photos,’ she’ll complain, her waterfall of hair poured over one shoulder, ‘and the other half are married. And the other half are single for a reason.’” Realistically written female characters and friendships make me so happy!
“I feel my veins rushing. I’ve helped someone. I’ve connected.” I felt sorry for Anna’s character. She was falling apart and still trying to help others.
“How can I explain? To anyone—to Little or Norelli, or to Alistair or Ethan, or to David, or even to Jane? I hear them; their voices echo inside me, outside me. I hear them when I’m overwhelmed by the pain of their absence, their loss—I can say it: their deaths. I hear them when I need someone to talk to. I hear them when I least expect it. “Guess who,” they’ll say, and I beam, and my heart sings. And I respond.” This hurt. Grieving hurts and this line is too accurate.
“I wouldn’t want him spending time with a grown woman, Alistair said. Not for Ethan’s sake, but for mine.” This line sent shivers down my spine.
Get In Touch With The Author:
Find out more about the author, A.J.Finn on his twitter.
Comments