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What Poisonous Things
Fasten your seat belt for this fast-paced time travel thriller!
When Geo Perold wakes up in hospital after having swallowed a handful of rat poison in a failed suicide attempt, he is visited by a man who offers him three wishes – the chance to alter his reality. Believing the man must have escaped from the psych ward, Geo decides to play along, hoping to get rid of him. But then he wakes up back in time to a life slightly different from the one he had tried to escape, and finds that his three biggest problems have miraculously disappeared.
It takes Geo a while to discover that a few other things have changed as well. The modern 2041 city that he had left behind is now dark and broody, and infested with rats... As Geo starts following a trail of breadcrumbs it leads him to a very disturbing realization: He has been tricked! Because of him, the city is now in danger, and he might be the only one who can save it, because he is the only one who remembers things as they were before.
But then, can he trust his own memories?
(Trigger warning: Themes of suicide)
When Geo Perold wakes up in hospital after having swallowed a handful of rat poison in a failed suicide attempt, he is visited by a man who offers him three wishes – the chance to alter his reality. Believing the man must have escaped from the psych ward, Geo decides to play along, hoping to get rid of him. But then he wakes up back in time to a life slightly different from the one he had tried to escape, and finds that his three biggest problems have miraculously disappeared.
It takes Geo a while to discover that a few other things have changed as well. The modern 2041 city that he had left behind is now dark and broody, and infested with rats... As Geo starts following a trail of breadcrumbs it leads him to a very disturbing realization: He has been tricked! Because of him, the city is now in danger, and he might be the only one who can save it, because he is the only one who remembers things as they were before.
But then, can he trust his own memories?
(Trigger warning: Themes of suicide)
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2019
5 people are currently reading
2411 people want to read
About the author
Anna Emm
98 books33 followersANNA EMM is a South African author who lives in London. She has written more than 3,000 children's stories, 21 short romance novels, 38 detective novellas, 5 suspense novels, and various stage productions.
In South Africa she has often appeared on TV and radio, speaking about the therapeutic power of stories.
In South Africa she has often appeared on TV and radio, speaking about the therapeutic power of stories.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 17, 2023
This book begins with a vivid scene of a suicide's rescue. The victim's reaction when everything becomes quiet--- "as if he has dipped his head under water." Author Emm is a talented writer with a great balance of pacing and choosing vivid words to make a reader feel and think.
This is a translation, and an excellent one. There are no disconnects in logic, or wrong words.
Of note, on p 13 the reader is settled into the timeline and will realize the story (at the moment) is in the future around 2040. Tell-tale things are referenced, such as our computerization and industrialization has continued to something that we fear would happen. This is only background to the intensely complicated world the protagonist is living through. Picture him on a merry-go-round of his life where he sees his fears and regrets whiz by, and then spies a nun, a pretty woman, and a judge standing nearby. The next pass by from the merry-go-round brings a change: the nun is now Chucky.
The beauty of the plot is that it is all so plausible. It can be true.
The most interesting character? Sister Ghomo is at once suspicious, and an angel.
For literary historians, it is interesting that the connotation "Sherlock" survives in Emm's year 2041.
A great book. Without committing spoiler alert: when you read this book, pay special attention to the first chapter.
Rats!
This is a translation, and an excellent one. There are no disconnects in logic, or wrong words.
Of note, on p 13 the reader is settled into the timeline and will realize the story (at the moment) is in the future around 2040. Tell-tale things are referenced, such as our computerization and industrialization has continued to something that we fear would happen. This is only background to the intensely complicated world the protagonist is living through. Picture him on a merry-go-round of his life where he sees his fears and regrets whiz by, and then spies a nun, a pretty woman, and a judge standing nearby. The next pass by from the merry-go-round brings a change: the nun is now Chucky.
The beauty of the plot is that it is all so plausible. It can be true.
The most interesting character? Sister Ghomo is at once suspicious, and an angel.
For literary historians, it is interesting that the connotation "Sherlock" survives in Emm's year 2041.
A great book. Without committing spoiler alert: when you read this book, pay special attention to the first chapter.
Rats!
December 31, 2022
I received this kindle book from #goodreadsgiveaway
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book! Definitely out of my comfort zone of genres I normally read, but I'm glad I was given the chance to read it!
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book! Definitely out of my comfort zone of genres I normally read, but I'm glad I was given the chance to read it!
May 3, 2023
An unexpected heartwarming story, very easy read and thoughtful.
May 11, 2023
I enjoyed this book so so much!! I could definitely see it as a screen play on Netflix. Geo feels like a down and out character but by the end of the book you understand why. Fantastic writing and as with all of Anna's books, they keep you guessing throughout. Highly recommend her as an author if you're looking for something the highstreet doesn't usually stock. She's a diamond that needs to be discovered 💎😉
December 29, 2022
Has potential
I got a kindle copy of this from Goodreads giveaways
Time travel intrigue is an ambitious premise and hard to really nail. I liked the idea behind this story, but instead of being complex and fleshed out, it just seemed convoluted. The first half of the book was Geo feeling sorry for himself, having headaches, and questioning reality. The multiple timeline thing could have been more artfully laid out and dealt with. The final solution was too simple and too convenient. There were also errors in the timeline and some of the Kindle file seemed out of order.
I got a kindle copy of this from Goodreads giveaways
Time travel intrigue is an ambitious premise and hard to really nail. I liked the idea behind this story, but instead of being complex and fleshed out, it just seemed convoluted. The first half of the book was Geo feeling sorry for himself, having headaches, and questioning reality. The multiple timeline thing could have been more artfully laid out and dealt with. The final solution was too simple and too convenient. There were also errors in the timeline and some of the Kindle file seemed out of order.
December 25, 2023
The start was slow, the middle interesting, but I wasn’t really a fan of the ending. It was just alright.
December 17, 2019
Baie goeie boek, kon nie wag vir die einde om te weet hoe dit eindig nie. Baie raaiselagtig.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews