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Alice's Island
A happily married woman's perfect life shatters when her husband turns up dead hundreds of miles away from where he should have been, and she suddenly discovers that there was a part of him she knew nothing about.
Imagine being woken in the middle of the night by a phone call letting you know your husband is dead. Then imagine suddenly discovering that there was a part of him you knew nothing about…
Alice Dupont’s perfect marriage was a perfect lie. When her husband, Chris, dies in a car accident, suspiciously far from where he should be, Alice’s life falls apart. After the police close the case, she is left with more questions than answers. While learning to cope with her loss and her new identity as a single mother of two, Alice becomes obsessed with unraveling the mystery surrounding her husband’s death and decides to start her own investigation. Retracing her husband's last known whereabouts, she soon discovers clues that lead her to a small island near Nantucket.
As she insinuates herself into the lives of the island’s inhabitants in an effort to discover what they knew about her husband, Alice finds herself increasingly involved in their private lives and comes to a disturbing realization: she has been transformed into a person she no longer recognizes.
In seeking an answer to what her husband was doing before he died, Alice discovers not only a side of him she never knew, but sides of her own character she has never explored. Part mystery, part moving family drama, part psychological page-turner, Alice’s Island is a novel whose vivid characters hold the reader rapt right up until the final page.
Imagine being woken in the middle of the night by a phone call letting you know your husband is dead. Then imagine suddenly discovering that there was a part of him you knew nothing about…
Alice Dupont’s perfect marriage was a perfect lie. When her husband, Chris, dies in a car accident, suspiciously far from where he should be, Alice’s life falls apart. After the police close the case, she is left with more questions than answers. While learning to cope with her loss and her new identity as a single mother of two, Alice becomes obsessed with unraveling the mystery surrounding her husband’s death and decides to start her own investigation. Retracing her husband's last known whereabouts, she soon discovers clues that lead her to a small island near Nantucket.
As she insinuates herself into the lives of the island’s inhabitants in an effort to discover what they knew about her husband, Alice finds herself increasingly involved in their private lives and comes to a disturbing realization: she has been transformed into a person she no longer recognizes.
In seeking an answer to what her husband was doing before he died, Alice discovers not only a side of him she never knew, but sides of her own character she has never explored. Part mystery, part moving family drama, part psychological page-turner, Alice’s Island is a novel whose vivid characters hold the reader rapt right up until the final page.
390 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2015
121 people are currently reading
3337 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Sánchez Arévalo
7 books61 followersDaniel Sánchez Arévalo (Madrid, 24 de junio de 1970) es un guionista, director de cine y productor español. Es hijo del dibujante e ilustrador José Ramón Sánchez y de la actriz Carmen Arévalo.
Daniel Sánchez Arévalo ha escrito dos libros de narrativa juvenil La maleta de Ignacio Karaoke y 31 de julio de 1993, de donde salió el guion de la película Azul oscuro casi negro. Quedó finalista del 64º premio Planeta con su primera novela para adultos, La isla de Alice4
Daniel Sánchez Arévalo ha escrito dos libros de narrativa juvenil La maleta de Ignacio Karaoke y 31 de julio de 1993, de donde salió el guion de la película Azul oscuro casi negro. Quedó finalista del 64º premio Planeta con su primera novela para adultos, La isla de Alice4
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 446 reviews
March 5, 2019
After a fatal car accident, Alice uncovers secrets about her husband that shatter her world.
Alice always believed she had the perfect marriage, until things didn't add up after her husbands car accident, Why was he so far from home? What could he be hiding?
Alice is determined to find out what her husband was hiding, and clues take her to an Island where she takes up residence. She begins her own investigation, questioning people on the island and wanting to learn anything and everything they knew about Chris. She became obsessed with every detail that might lead to secrets Chris was keeping.
I was a bit confused after so much searching and wasn't really sure where the novel was going. While their were moments of suspense, I was struggling with the pace and Alice's ongoing search and became a bit distracted.
After Alice's over the top co-vert plan to learn what Chris was doing and who he was involved with, she comes to understand more about life and how she controls her life and how to life it.
Thanks to NG and Atria for my review copy. Book is out April 2019
Alice always believed she had the perfect marriage, until things didn't add up after her husbands car accident, Why was he so far from home? What could he be hiding?
Alice is determined to find out what her husband was hiding, and clues take her to an Island where she takes up residence. She begins her own investigation, questioning people on the island and wanting to learn anything and everything they knew about Chris. She became obsessed with every detail that might lead to secrets Chris was keeping.
I was a bit confused after so much searching and wasn't really sure where the novel was going. While their were moments of suspense, I was struggling with the pace and Alice's ongoing search and became a bit distracted.
After Alice's over the top co-vert plan to learn what Chris was doing and who he was involved with, she comes to understand more about life and how she controls her life and how to life it.
Thanks to NG and Atria for my review copy. Book is out April 2019
April 13, 2019
4 Wow, this was messed up! stars
I think I have to begin this review by being a bit nostalgic. June 2012, Gone Girl is released and I do believe it opened the floodgates in the literary world for female protagonists to be unreliable and crazy to various degrees. Hallelujah! Yes, because just when I think I can discuss in the court of readers that I have met the craziest character ever, a new piece of evidence is submitted. Daniel Sánchez Arévalo's Alice will no doubt receive a mix of empathy and horror. Personally, I believe that she may be one of my candidates for most memorable character of 2019.
A phone call in the middle of the night results in Alice Dupont's entire world coming to a crashing halt. Her husband, Chris dies in a motor vehicle accident and she is now a widow with two young daughters. Alice soon learns that her husband was keeping secrets and soon follows a course that is unusual and begs the question if the definition of obsession needs to be redefined.
Alice, honey, it's your new friend, Erin. I really believe that all women should explore their inner Liam Neeson( a la Taken), but maybe only in their dreams. I am relieved that you put aside money for your daughters education, but using all the rest for expensive spy equipment? Girl, I am both a bit in awe that you were able to hook it all up, but building clocks so you can see into their homes. Horrifying! We also need to have the privacy talk, I know that in 2019 oversharing is now an intricate part of how we operate in society. But even George Orwell would ask you to stand down.
If I had a quibble or complaint, it is perhaps that the story is a bit too long and perhaps a bit more editing away at some of the secrets of neighbors.
I would not feel guilty about recommending this book, but it may terrify a few readers. Forget about Big Brother! Alice is watching...
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review
Goodreads review 12/04/19
Publication Date 16/04/19
I think I have to begin this review by being a bit nostalgic. June 2012, Gone Girl is released and I do believe it opened the floodgates in the literary world for female protagonists to be unreliable and crazy to various degrees. Hallelujah! Yes, because just when I think I can discuss in the court of readers that I have met the craziest character ever, a new piece of evidence is submitted. Daniel Sánchez Arévalo's Alice will no doubt receive a mix of empathy and horror. Personally, I believe that she may be one of my candidates for most memorable character of 2019.
A phone call in the middle of the night results in Alice Dupont's entire world coming to a crashing halt. Her husband, Chris dies in a motor vehicle accident and she is now a widow with two young daughters. Alice soon learns that her husband was keeping secrets and soon follows a course that is unusual and begs the question if the definition of obsession needs to be redefined.
Alice, honey, it's your new friend, Erin. I really believe that all women should explore their inner Liam Neeson( a la Taken), but maybe only in their dreams. I am relieved that you put aside money for your daughters education, but using all the rest for expensive spy equipment? Girl, I am both a bit in awe that you were able to hook it all up, but building clocks so you can see into their homes. Horrifying! We also need to have the privacy talk, I know that in 2019 oversharing is now an intricate part of how we operate in society. But even George Orwell would ask you to stand down.
If I had a quibble or complaint, it is perhaps that the story is a bit too long and perhaps a bit more editing away at some of the secrets of neighbors.
I would not feel guilty about recommending this book, but it may terrify a few readers. Forget about Big Brother! Alice is watching...
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review
Goodreads review 12/04/19
Publication Date 16/04/19
April 15, 2019
Perfect happy marriage, a shuttering perfect lie and a wife’s search for answers
Alice’s Island is part mystery, part family drama with some drama within a community and part psychological thriller. When we first meet Alice her world is shattered when tragedy hits and she learns of a lie. She takes great lengths to find answers. Her search for answers start to leave her and me with more questions than answers and I started to question the way she was investigating and her tackles started to become questionable to me.
The story is not so much a page turner but more of a slow burn interesting one. At times a bit confusing to keep track of all the characters and suspects. I needed to use my detective skills more there to keep them straight. The characters each had their own conflicts and I enjoyed the dynamics between them but won’t say the characters were well drawn out.
I wasn’t really sure where the story was going and was intrigued throughout and as the story started to wrap up I wished I had paid more attention to the characters than trying to figure out the mystery to the story. I thought the story wrapped up well and I was left feeling satisfied after reading this one. I recommend to reader who like a slower paced story that focuses more on the dynamics of the characters.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for my complimentary copy to read and review.
Alice’s Island is part mystery, part family drama with some drama within a community and part psychological thriller. When we first meet Alice her world is shattered when tragedy hits and she learns of a lie. She takes great lengths to find answers. Her search for answers start to leave her and me with more questions than answers and I started to question the way she was investigating and her tackles started to become questionable to me.
The story is not so much a page turner but more of a slow burn interesting one. At times a bit confusing to keep track of all the characters and suspects. I needed to use my detective skills more there to keep them straight. The characters each had their own conflicts and I enjoyed the dynamics between them but won’t say the characters were well drawn out.
I wasn’t really sure where the story was going and was intrigued throughout and as the story started to wrap up I wished I had paid more attention to the characters than trying to figure out the mystery to the story. I thought the story wrapped up well and I was left feeling satisfied after reading this one. I recommend to reader who like a slower paced story that focuses more on the dynamics of the characters.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for my complimentary copy to read and review.
November 19, 2015
Creo que lo he leído solo por ser quien es... Largo, me sobran unas 250 páginas, pesado, la protagonista es para darle un bofetón en varias ocasiones...
April 16, 2019
4.5 almost 5
I've never read anything by this author from Spain before reading this novel but definitely will read more. Alice's Island was not at all what I was expecting. I thought it would be the run-of-the-mill cheating husband, husband dies, wife finds out, oh no oh no, boring read and instead it is more domestic drama where, yes, the husband had secrets and dies but the wife and her two children are the primary focus as they are searching for answers, putting their lives back together, coming to grips with the reality of their new situation. This is a very character driven novel and Arevalo does a marvelous job creating intriguing, multi-dimensional characters that will fascinate and hold you captive throughout.
I've never read anything by this author from Spain before reading this novel but definitely will read more. Alice's Island was not at all what I was expecting. I thought it would be the run-of-the-mill cheating husband, husband dies, wife finds out, oh no oh no, boring read and instead it is more domestic drama where, yes, the husband had secrets and dies but the wife and her two children are the primary focus as they are searching for answers, putting their lives back together, coming to grips with the reality of their new situation. This is a very character driven novel and Arevalo does a marvelous job creating intriguing, multi-dimensional characters that will fascinate and hold you captive throughout.
May 24, 2020
Me ha gustado, la lectura es ágil, y los paisajes son preciosos.
Aún así, le sobran páginas.
Pero, no estoy arrepentida de leerlo.
La historia de la búsqueda de uno mismo, y de nuestro sitio en un viaje personal lleno de intriga por momentos.
Aún así, le sobran páginas.
Pero, no estoy arrepentida de leerlo.
La historia de la búsqueda de uno mismo, y de nuestro sitio en un viaje personal lleno de intriga por momentos.
January 26, 2019
Alice's Island by Daniel Sanchez Arevalo was an interesting premise and the cover was what grabbed me to begin with!
Alice gets a horrible phone call in the middle of the night about her husband Chris who died in a car accident. Alice finds out that he was killed far from where he should have been. Alice begins to search for the answers about what truly happened to Chris. Alice's search leads her to an island off of Cape Cod. Alice is pregnant with their second daughter and moves to the island.
Alice starts stalking everyone on the island trying to find out what in the world Chris was doing there. I struggled with the first 50-60 percent of this book. It was very dry, slow, and lacked action in my opinion. I had trouble following the storyline and wasn't sure where the author was going here?
In my opinion, the story was lacking in suspense and I easily put the book down multiple times struggling to pick it back up. Although, the story finally picked up around 60 percent and was enjoying the suspense to the end to see what happened behind Chris on the island.
I found the ending to be symbolic to the title and felt that the message the author was trying to portray is do we truly only discover ourselves through losing another loved one?
Overall, I still enjoyed this book.
3.5 stars
Huge thank you to Atria for the advanced arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: 4/16/19
Published to Goodreads: 1/25/19
Alice gets a horrible phone call in the middle of the night about her husband Chris who died in a car accident. Alice finds out that he was killed far from where he should have been. Alice begins to search for the answers about what truly happened to Chris. Alice's search leads her to an island off of Cape Cod. Alice is pregnant with their second daughter and moves to the island.
Alice starts stalking everyone on the island trying to find out what in the world Chris was doing there. I struggled with the first 50-60 percent of this book. It was very dry, slow, and lacked action in my opinion. I had trouble following the storyline and wasn't sure where the author was going here?
In my opinion, the story was lacking in suspense and I easily put the book down multiple times struggling to pick it back up. Although, the story finally picked up around 60 percent and was enjoying the suspense to the end to see what happened behind Chris on the island.
I found the ending to be symbolic to the title and felt that the message the author was trying to portray is do we truly only discover ourselves through losing another loved one?
Overall, I still enjoyed this book.
3.5 stars
Huge thank you to Atria for the advanced arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: 4/16/19
Published to Goodreads: 1/25/19
April 16, 2018
Voy a intentar ser lo más sincera y objetiva posible, porque soy fan de las películas de Daniel pero tengo que separar al Daniel director y al Daniel escritor.
Esperaba mucho más de este libro. La forma de contarlo a veces me liaba, tenía que concentrarme para saber en qué momento de la historia estaba.
Todo se hace un poco repetitivo, parece que van a pasar muchas más cosas de las que realmente pasan y el final no tiene casi ninguna sorpresa.
Eso sí, no se me ha hecho aburrido a pesar de que pienso que le sobran páginas. Sería una buena miniserie porque los personajes están muy bien definidos y los paisajes son muy bonitos.
Estoy un poco decepcionada pero no me arrepiento de haberlo leído. Le doy tres estrellas porque creo que, quitando algunos detalles, es fácil de leer.
Esperaba mucho más de este libro. La forma de contarlo a veces me liaba, tenía que concentrarme para saber en qué momento de la historia estaba.
Todo se hace un poco repetitivo, parece que van a pasar muchas más cosas de las que realmente pasan y el final no tiene casi ninguna sorpresa.
Eso sí, no se me ha hecho aburrido a pesar de que pienso que le sobran páginas. Sería una buena miniserie porque los personajes están muy bien definidos y los paisajes son muy bonitos.
Estoy un poco decepcionada pero no me arrepiento de haberlo leído. Le doy tres estrellas porque creo que, quitando algunos detalles, es fácil de leer.
May 27, 2018
La historia es buena, me ha gustado la ambientación y como va desarrollando poco a poco los hechos pero llega un punto que se me hizo demasiado largo, entiendo que nos muestra un poco como podemos ser nosotros en nuestro día a día (reflexivos, hablando con nosotros mismos, nuestras luchas, miedos, etc) y en como podemos salir adelante o hundirnos, pero como digo creo que le llegan a sobrar muchas hojas, si no se me hubiera hecho tan larga, la novela hubiera estado super bien.
Tren primavera cabina Premio Planeta
Libros, libros y más libros inciso 5c
Tren primavera cabina Premio Planeta
Libros, libros y más libros inciso 5c
April 21, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Ugh you guys, Alice's Island by Daniel Sánchez Arévalo is such a tough one for me. I was interested in what was going on and liked it, but for various reasons it just wasn't my favorite.
What it's about: Alice Dupont thinks she has the perfect marriage, but when her husband dies in a car accident somewhere other than where he said he would be, she has to question just how much of her marriage is actually a lie. Her search for the truth leads her to a place called Robin's Island situated between Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. As she gets to know the people on the small island and insinuates herself into their lives through spying on them, she starts to realize she's turning into someone she doesn't even recognize. Between spying, taking care of her two little girls, and trying to figure out just what her husband was doing on Robin's Island she has a lot on her plate, will she ever figure out what Chris was doing there?
I wanted to love Alice's Island, I really did, but between how slow it read for me and the real lack of anything going on, it just fell short. The book seems to be more about the characters than the actual mystery itself, which is something that I wasn't really expecting. I didn't mind this, but I think the book could be marketed a little differently.
Alice's Island is the first book this author has had translated from Spanish to English and I think the translation might have been a cause for some of the issues I had with this book. It seemed like it was reading pretty quickly, but in reality it wasn't. It took me almost 7.5 hours to read and it's only 400 pages. I think there are some unnecessary parts, like Alice's internal monologue, that could have been removed to make it more concise and not so long.
I was really interested in the story itself though, and Alice was pretty unbelievable in the lengths she goes to to find out what her husband was doing before he died. I loved reading about her two daughters, especially the older one Olivia, and how her dad's death affected her. It was pretty sad, but at the same time so heartfelt and it ends up being hopeful by the time we get to the end of the book. The chapters didn't feel too long either, and there is some great character development.
Final Thought: While Alice's Island didn't end up being my favorite book ever, it was still an interesting read. I think if you go into it aware that it is more about the characters than the actual mystery you might like it a bit more. I was surprised at the ending as well and I think a lot of people won't be able to figure it out either. I did end up skimming a bit, so with all of these things combined it left me at a 3/5 rating. I would definitely still recommend this to the right person though and would be interested in reading more from Daniel Sánchez Arévalo.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
Ugh you guys, Alice's Island by Daniel Sánchez Arévalo is such a tough one for me. I was interested in what was going on and liked it, but for various reasons it just wasn't my favorite.
What it's about: Alice Dupont thinks she has the perfect marriage, but when her husband dies in a car accident somewhere other than where he said he would be, she has to question just how much of her marriage is actually a lie. Her search for the truth leads her to a place called Robin's Island situated between Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. As she gets to know the people on the small island and insinuates herself into their lives through spying on them, she starts to realize she's turning into someone she doesn't even recognize. Between spying, taking care of her two little girls, and trying to figure out just what her husband was doing on Robin's Island she has a lot on her plate, will she ever figure out what Chris was doing there?
I wanted to love Alice's Island, I really did, but between how slow it read for me and the real lack of anything going on, it just fell short. The book seems to be more about the characters than the actual mystery itself, which is something that I wasn't really expecting. I didn't mind this, but I think the book could be marketed a little differently.
Alice's Island is the first book this author has had translated from Spanish to English and I think the translation might have been a cause for some of the issues I had with this book. It seemed like it was reading pretty quickly, but in reality it wasn't. It took me almost 7.5 hours to read and it's only 400 pages. I think there are some unnecessary parts, like Alice's internal monologue, that could have been removed to make it more concise and not so long.
I was really interested in the story itself though, and Alice was pretty unbelievable in the lengths she goes to to find out what her husband was doing before he died. I loved reading about her two daughters, especially the older one Olivia, and how her dad's death affected her. It was pretty sad, but at the same time so heartfelt and it ends up being hopeful by the time we get to the end of the book. The chapters didn't feel too long either, and there is some great character development.
Final Thought: While Alice's Island didn't end up being my favorite book ever, it was still an interesting read. I think if you go into it aware that it is more about the characters than the actual mystery you might like it a bit more. I was surprised at the ending as well and I think a lot of people won't be able to figure it out either. I did end up skimming a bit, so with all of these things combined it left me at a 3/5 rating. I would definitely still recommend this to the right person though and would be interested in reading more from Daniel Sánchez Arévalo.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
October 18, 2021
Esta novela nos cuenta la historia de un matrimonio, ese matrimonio que es perfecto hasta que ocurre algo que te hace dudar de todo. Y es que de repente una noche, la policia llama a Alice, diciendo que su marido ha tenido un accidente, pero el lugar donde ocurre el accidente no es donde deberia estar Chris... asique nuestra protagonista empezara a buscar y se tendra que salir con la suya hasta descubrir la verdad.
Buscando e investigando Alice llega a una isla, un lugar donde Chris iba a menudo sin ella saberlo, asique decide seguir investigando que hacia alli, porque iba.. La protagonista investiga todo y llega un punto que crees que esta loca, que se ha vuelto loca con todo lo que hace para descubrir la verdad.
Quiza llega un punto que se hace algo mas lento porque la trama no avanza, pero en cuanto coge ritmo de nuevo no puedes parar solo para saber que ha pasado...
Me ha gustado mucho el personaje de la hija, una niña con TOC que logra hacer grandes cambios con su madre, y bueno decir que de Alice me ponia algo nerviosa con las investigaciones que hacia.
Por lo demas, es un libro que te engancha, y que los personajes estaba muy bien descritos. Ademas tiene un final que sorprende.
Buscando e investigando Alice llega a una isla, un lugar donde Chris iba a menudo sin ella saberlo, asique decide seguir investigando que hacia alli, porque iba.. La protagonista investiga todo y llega un punto que crees que esta loca, que se ha vuelto loca con todo lo que hace para descubrir la verdad.
Quiza llega un punto que se hace algo mas lento porque la trama no avanza, pero en cuanto coge ritmo de nuevo no puedes parar solo para saber que ha pasado...
Me ha gustado mucho el personaje de la hija, una niña con TOC que logra hacer grandes cambios con su madre, y bueno decir que de Alice me ponia algo nerviosa con las investigaciones que hacia.
Por lo demas, es un libro que te engancha, y que los personajes estaba muy bien descritos. Ademas tiene un final que sorprende.
July 10, 2016
Este libro tiene uno de los mejores inicios de novela que he leído, si consigues empatizar con Alice, la protagonista, lo que te engancha a seguir leyendo esta novela es alucinante. El problema, por llamarlo de algún modo, es que dándote tanta caña desde el inicio te acostumbras, suben las expectativas, y llegas a pensar que la novela va a ser un no parar… Pero como pasa en todas las novelas: tiene altibajos. Y no es que la historia decaiga, sino que, entiendo, es complicado mantener la tensión inicial durante toda la novela. Pero llega un momento, hacia el final del libro, que la acción vuelve y la novela vuelve a enganchar de la misma forma que al principio, hilando todos los cabos sueltos y haciendo que todo tenga sentido.
En conclusión: la historia es muy buena, muy cinematográfica (espero que sea posible algún día verla en pantalla) y muy entretenida.
Si te apetece leer una reseña un poco más extensa sobre este libro te invito a que le eches un ojo a mi blog: http://fjp.es/la-isla-de-alice-daniel... ¡Gracias por tu visita!
En conclusión: la historia es muy buena, muy cinematográfica (espero que sea posible algún día verla en pantalla) y muy entretenida.
Si te apetece leer una reseña un poco más extensa sobre este libro te invito a que le eches un ojo a mi blog: http://fjp.es/la-isla-de-alice-daniel... ¡Gracias por tu visita!
May 5, 2020
Nota: 1,5
La historia, comienza siendo interesante porque vamos acompañando a Alice en la búsqueda de ese lugar en el que se encontraba su marido antes de morir. Pero una vez que llega a la Isla, y decide mudarse allí para seguir con su investigación todo va de mal en peor. Nuestra protagonista se obsesiona de una forma malsana con los habitantes de la isla, y comienza a crear teorías y a montarse sus paranoias sobre que todos pueden haber tenido contacto con su marido por diferentes motivos ( tenía una amante, escondía una amistad, era adoptado y se fue a conocer a sus verdaderos padres, etc.), así que decide meterse en sus vidas y a espiarlos con cámaras y micrófonos para conseguir información. Pero todo esto, solo es una excusa para mostrarte las problemáticas de familias que aparentan ser perfectas pero que en realidad todas deben de lidiar con sus demonios internos. Vamos, que el misterio y la trama central se desdibujan para meter los problemas tópicos de varias familias.
Por otro lado, hay un relleno brutal durante todo el libro de cosas que no aportan nada a la historia, abusando de las reflexiones internas de la protagonista. Además, no para de repetir una y otra vez lo mismo como para remarcar ciertas cosas que se suponen que van a ser importantes para el desenlace final.
El final, aunque tengo que reconocer que es muy emotivo, tarda mucho en llegar ya que estira demasiado el momento de saber el misterio de Chris y la isla. Y aunque pretende dejar enseñanzas sobre cómo afrontar la pérdida y de las relaciones de pareja o familiares, en general el desarrollo de la historia me ha parecido malo y aburrido.
La historia, comienza siendo interesante porque vamos acompañando a Alice en la búsqueda de ese lugar en el que se encontraba su marido antes de morir. Pero una vez que llega a la Isla, y decide mudarse allí para seguir con su investigación todo va de mal en peor. Nuestra protagonista se obsesiona de una forma malsana con los habitantes de la isla, y comienza a crear teorías y a montarse sus paranoias sobre que todos pueden haber tenido contacto con su marido por diferentes motivos ( tenía una amante, escondía una amistad, era adoptado y se fue a conocer a sus verdaderos padres, etc.), así que decide meterse en sus vidas y a espiarlos con cámaras y micrófonos para conseguir información. Pero todo esto, solo es una excusa para mostrarte las problemáticas de familias que aparentan ser perfectas pero que en realidad todas deben de lidiar con sus demonios internos. Vamos, que el misterio y la trama central se desdibujan para meter los problemas tópicos de varias familias.
Por otro lado, hay un relleno brutal durante todo el libro de cosas que no aportan nada a la historia, abusando de las reflexiones internas de la protagonista. Además, no para de repetir una y otra vez lo mismo como para remarcar ciertas cosas que se suponen que van a ser importantes para el desenlace final.
El final, aunque tengo que reconocer que es muy emotivo, tarda mucho en llegar ya que estira demasiado el momento de saber el misterio de Chris y la isla. Y aunque pretende dejar enseñanzas sobre cómo afrontar la pérdida y de las relaciones de pareja o familiares, en general el desarrollo de la historia me ha parecido malo y aburrido.
November 10, 2019
“Y es fundamental en la vida que las cosas terminen, y que terminen como se merecen terminar, aunque no sea del todo bien.”
September 27, 2020
Poco que decir de esta maravilla. Que hay que leerla, te sorprende, te atrapa y no quieres que acabe.
Te gustará todo!
Te gustará todo!
April 29, 2017
Por que ha tenido que terminarse?? 😢 me ha gustado muchisimo.
March 8, 2024
Nachtrag von 2017
June 4, 2019
Wow this was some psychological thriller that’s for sure. A woman’s husband dies in a car crash and he’s not where he said he would be. When she starts looking into things, more shocking details emerge. I was engaged in this book from page 1. Loved it!
May 20, 2020
Ha sido de los libro mas raros que he leído, es que no estoy muy segura en genero encajaría, es Intrigante, divertido y entretenido hasta el final,Creo que podría decirse que es como un viaje personal, en la mente de una mujer en búsqueda de la verdad, es una historia de búsqueda interior, madurez, aceptación y superación.
La isla de Alice, narra la terrible situación con la que la protagonista se encuentra, una vez que ha quedado viuda,se obsesiona con la idea de descubrir porque su marido se hallaba en otro lugar el día de su muerte, el lugar es nada menos que una isla en Cape Cod,una vez instalada ahí, junto con sus dos hija, empieza su "investigación", de una forma poco convencional.
Los personajes son de lo mas interesantes, los habitantes de la Isla ,pero sobre todo madre e hija mayor, en momentos es inevitable comprender y sentir lo mismo que Alice.
En general es una historia bien llevada y contada de una manera sencilla pero que engancha desde el principio.El tortuoso secreto me ha parecido bastante original,y el final me ha parecido justo después del largo viaje al que Daniel Sánchez Arévalo nos llevó.
Y la pregunta es si lo recomendaría?...no estoy segura, creo que no es una lectura para todos.
January 9, 2018
Cuando el marido de Alice fallece en un accidente de coche en lugar dónde no debería estar, la vida de la protagonista entra en una delirante escalada de paranoia por descubrir lo que hacía allí.
Buena historia, aunque totalmente inverosímil, con un ritmo que te engancha. A veces parece un thriller y a veces una novela romántica. Buen ritmo del que es difícil desengancharse. A destacar el trabajo del autor para dar cobertura y credibilidad a pequeños detalles que hacen que podemos creernos que una historia así es posible.
No es un libro que te vaya a marcar ni que quede en tu recuerdo pero está bien.
PD.- He dicho varias veces que la historia es inverosímil, luego me he acordado que en la mayoría de las casas hay ordenadores, móviles, SmartTV... todos con micros y cámaras... de pronto mi mente ha cambiado el desván de Alice por una fría sala en Google, Apple o Samsung... me ha dado un sudor frío y he comenzado a dar vueltas tontas por la pecera. ;-)
Buena historia, aunque totalmente inverosímil, con un ritmo que te engancha. A veces parece un thriller y a veces una novela romántica. Buen ritmo del que es difícil desengancharse. A destacar el trabajo del autor para dar cobertura y credibilidad a pequeños detalles que hacen que podemos creernos que una historia así es posible.
No es un libro que te vaya a marcar ni que quede en tu recuerdo pero está bien.
PD.- He dicho varias veces que la historia es inverosímil, luego me he acordado que en la mayoría de las casas hay ordenadores, móviles, SmartTV... todos con micros y cámaras... de pronto mi mente ha cambiado el desván de Alice por una fría sala en Google, Apple o Samsung... me ha dado un sudor frío y he comenzado a dar vueltas tontas por la pecera. ;-)
July 29, 2017
Aunque al principio era graciosa y enganchaba, a medida que avanzaba me ha parecido más y más absurda. Esta historia no se sostiene por ningún lado. De hecho, no le puede dar ni un final digno, porque, a mi juicio, no es posible.
Le sobran más de 200 páginas tirando por lo bajo.
No me explico que Daniel Sánchez Arévalo haya escrito esto, y aún menos que sea finalista de un Planeta.
Le sobran más de 200 páginas tirando por lo bajo.
No me explico que Daniel Sánchez Arévalo haya escrito esto, y aún menos que sea finalista de un Planeta.
May 27, 2019
Se me hizo muy lento el libro, sentí que vagaba demasiado en otras cosas en vez del objetivo que la protagonista tenía, y ese final no me gustó nada, simplemente no me gustó, fue raro y parece que la protagonista en vez de superar lo sucedido agarró nuevas mañas que la mantenían a flote, en fin, no me gustó.
May 26, 2016
He leído 35 libros desde que estoy en Goodreads y es al primero que le doy 5 estrellas.
Me ha encantado, de principio a fin.
He estado atrapada en sus páginas en todo momento.
Hacía muchísimo que no leía un libro y no quería que terminara.
Lo recomiendo.
Me ha encantado, de principio a fin.
He estado atrapada en sus páginas en todo momento.
Hacía muchísimo que no leía un libro y no quería que terminara.
Lo recomiendo.
July 2, 2019
Super Good Mystery (TW past suicide mentioned/ anxiety attacks)
I think this one is flying under the radar and it should not be, it’s one of the best mysteries this year–I inhaled the audiobook. The mystery surrounds Alice Dupont, who is pregnant and a mother of a six-year-old, when she gets a call that her husband was in a horrible car accident and is being rushed to the hospital. What snaps her out of the shock of the call is that the hospital, or area, being mentioned makes no sense because her husband is nowhere near there. He’s supposed to be hours away in a different direction. Alice ends up uprooting her life, and her children, as her grief manifests itself into her deciding to figure out why her husband was not where he said he’d be. This took so many surprising turns, never veered into ridiculous, and had one of my favorite child characters. I’m still thinking about Alice and her daughter Olivia. Highly recommend this one! And it’s not like a few other novels I’ve read with this premise, that are billed as mysteries, but the character never actually investigates. Alice is like a dog with a bone.
--from Book Riot's Unusual Suspects newsletter: https://link.bookriot.com/view/56a820...
I think this one is flying under the radar and it should not be, it’s one of the best mysteries this year–I inhaled the audiobook. The mystery surrounds Alice Dupont, who is pregnant and a mother of a six-year-old, when she gets a call that her husband was in a horrible car accident and is being rushed to the hospital. What snaps her out of the shock of the call is that the hospital, or area, being mentioned makes no sense because her husband is nowhere near there. He’s supposed to be hours away in a different direction. Alice ends up uprooting her life, and her children, as her grief manifests itself into her deciding to figure out why her husband was not where he said he’d be. This took so many surprising turns, never veered into ridiculous, and had one of my favorite child characters. I’m still thinking about Alice and her daughter Olivia. Highly recommend this one! And it’s not like a few other novels I’ve read with this premise, that are billed as mysteries, but the character never actually investigates. Alice is like a dog with a bone.
--from Book Riot's Unusual Suspects newsletter: https://link.bookriot.com/view/56a820...
February 28, 2016
Si termino un libro llorando a moco tendido, rezando por que las páginas se multipliquen y no se acabe nunca, es que el libro es bueno.
Me ha encantado. Ha ido pasando del duelo al descubrimiento personal y la lucha interna. Me ha encantado Alice y todo lo que le pasa y le rodea. Le ha encantado a mi yo persona, a mi yo lectora y a mi yo psicóloga.
Y además se nota que está escrito con mimo, y se agradece. Al principio no sabes bien de qué va la cosa, pero luego no puedes dejar de leer.
Una maravilla.
Me ha encantado. Ha ido pasando del duelo al descubrimiento personal y la lucha interna. Me ha encantado Alice y todo lo que le pasa y le rodea. Le ha encantado a mi yo persona, a mi yo lectora y a mi yo psicóloga.
Y además se nota que está escrito con mimo, y se agradece. Al principio no sabes bien de qué va la cosa, pero luego no puedes dejar de leer.
Una maravilla.
May 20, 2019
1.5 stars. While the premise is intriguing, this book is not good. The writing is not good, the characters are flat and unbelievable, the descriptions are boring, and it is WAY!TOO!LONG! I should've stopped reading after the first 25 pages, but I stuck with it hoping it would get better because the plot was mildly interesting. It did not.
Read
March 10, 2019No lo acabé. Se nota que este libro lo ha escrito un guionista de cine. No es un libro, es un guión.
October 21, 2023
... Lo terminé por la curiosidad de su final, pero me parece que le sobran páginas y se complica demasiado todo haciendo que resulte lo poco creíble en ciencia ficción. Pero es mi humilde opinión, para gustos los colores 🤷 Nota 6. Para pasar el rato y de fácil lectura.
August 3, 2016
Me gustan los thrillers, me gustan montarme mis teorías; odio acertar y me encanta fallar. He visto tantas películas y series que cuando me equivoco es porque realmente el autor se lo ha currado y ha conseguido sorprenderme, objetivo cumplido se diría.
Pero en este caso, no me he montado ninguna teoría, y solo tenía mis sospechas casi al final cuando el desenlace ya estaba cerca y sabía que aparecería el o la culpable tarde o temprano. Porque el libro es largo y no consigue mantener la tensión todo el momento, o al menos mantener el hilo conductor durante todo el tiempo ya que se perdía por el camino y acabas perdiendo el rumbo de la historia. La cosa es que Alice se mudó a la isla para averiguar la verdad sobre su fallecido esposo pero a pesar de sus cámaras y trastos no avanzaba mucho.
Aún así el balance general es no es malo, el principio fue muy intrigante y el desenlace razonablemente, el motivo por el que Chris visitaba tanto la isla me pareció bonito y original en cierto sentido, aunque en algunas subtramas de algunos habitantes de la isla termina todo de forma muy precipitada, como si las 600 páginas no hubieran sido suficientes.
PD: Mención especial a Olivia, la hija de Alice, y una de las personajes más cargantes de la literatura contemporánea. Y a su madre, por confundir el espiar con cuidar.
Pero en este caso, no me he montado ninguna teoría, y solo tenía mis sospechas casi al final cuando el desenlace ya estaba cerca y sabía que aparecería el o la culpable tarde o temprano. Porque el libro es largo y no consigue mantener la tensión todo el momento, o al menos mantener el hilo conductor durante todo el tiempo ya que se perdía por el camino y acabas perdiendo el rumbo de la historia. La cosa es que Alice se mudó a la isla para averiguar la verdad sobre su fallecido esposo pero a pesar de sus cámaras y trastos no avanzaba mucho.
Aún así el balance general es no es malo, el principio fue muy intrigante y el desenlace razonablemente, el motivo por el que Chris visitaba tanto la isla me pareció bonito y original en cierto sentido, aunque en algunas subtramas de algunos habitantes de la isla termina todo de forma muy precipitada, como si las 600 páginas no hubieran sido suficientes.
PD: Mención especial a Olivia, la hija de Alice, y una de las personajes más cargantes de la literatura contemporánea. Y a su madre, por confundir el espiar con cuidar.
April 11, 2018
Abandoné esta novela, es muy raro que deje a menos de la mitad un libro pero se me hizo bastante aburrido.
No entiendo como una narrativa fluida y tranquila termine siendo tan tediosa. Empieza bastante bien, pero conforme pasan las páginas va decayendo.
El autor quiere crear un ambiente de suspenso y tristeza pero al meter ciertos detalles planos que no me dicen nada (entiéndase referencias a la cultura popular) le quita la seriedad al asunto.
En un principio, siento a Alice tan seca, se me hace un personaje plano tratando de tener emociones pero, personalmente, no lo logra.
Entiendo que a mucha gente le guste, la premisa no es mala, al contrario, se le pudo haber sacado mucho en pocas páginas. Cuando lo terminen me dicen en qué acabo, leí que el final es interesante.
No entiendo la fascinación de muchos al querer leer libros tan largo que están llenos de detalles irrelevantes para la trama, pudieron haber sido 150 páginas y la historia principal funcionaba igual.
Por cierto, eso de explicar la referencia de año 1 D.C. es como si el autor me estuviera tachando de inculto que no sabe historia general.
No entiendo como una narrativa fluida y tranquila termine siendo tan tediosa. Empieza bastante bien, pero conforme pasan las páginas va decayendo.
El autor quiere crear un ambiente de suspenso y tristeza pero al meter ciertos detalles planos que no me dicen nada (entiéndase referencias a la cultura popular) le quita la seriedad al asunto.
En un principio, siento a Alice tan seca, se me hace un personaje plano tratando de tener emociones pero, personalmente, no lo logra.
Entiendo que a mucha gente le guste, la premisa no es mala, al contrario, se le pudo haber sacado mucho en pocas páginas. Cuando lo terminen me dicen en qué acabo, leí que el final es interesante.
No entiendo la fascinación de muchos al querer leer libros tan largo que están llenos de detalles irrelevantes para la trama, pudieron haber sido 150 páginas y la historia principal funcionaba igual.
Por cierto, eso de explicar la referencia de año 1 D.C. es como si el autor me estuviera tachando de inculto que no sabe historia general.
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