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Envy
From the acclaimed author of 'Castles in the Air' comes this novel of teenage jealousy and desire.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 2, 2013
I found this to be an awful book. The characters were all superficial and irritating, the plot was unbelievable (how many times would the same innocent routine really work without suspicion, really?!). I kept reading hoping I could at least find a scrap of remorse for anyone but nope, I think I felt most sorry for the horses! Was glad it was only 240 pages and only wasted two hours of my life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2011
A difficult book to shelve. It was a little SWF-like, with Diane attempting to replace Isabel in her own life. Disturbing and not terribly engrossing, though short and easy enough to read quickly. I would have given this three stars, however I had to knock it down one for the absolutely horrific scene where Diane's stepfather shoots his two sheepdogs simply because they misbehaved. No matter what I felt about the rest of the book, it lost MAJOR points for that.
Diane, the narrator, was not likeable and Isabel, her subject, was a little bit dull. I didn't see the appeal in Phileda, either. Kind of a weird book, could have been a lot better.
Diane, the narrator, was not likeable and Isabel, her subject, was a little bit dull. I didn't see the appeal in Phileda, either. Kind of a weird book, could have been a lot better.
October 10, 2021
Despite the high quality of writing, I found the book really hard to finish, it was utterly miserable and unpleasant, I cannot understand the comments on the back of the book saying that it was"funny and intensely romantic" and that it "reverberates with romance, suspense and great humour"???? I would use many words to describe the book but never funny.
Diane lives in a squalid little shack with her mother who drinks too much, her step-father who is a barbaric bully and her spitefully step-siblings. During a chance encounter with Isabel who's rich father owns Critchley Hall and all the surrounding land including Diane's home, Diane sees at a glance what she could have and what she wants and sets about getting it no matter what the cost.
There was no one at all pleasant in this book, Diane is the epitome of a vile young woman full of envy and spite, she insinuates herself into the family and sticks there like a kind of leech sucking the very life out of them. Isabel is a spoilt Daddy's girl but with a streak of generosity. Isabel's father Geoffrey is obnoxious both a bore and a sleaze and her mother goes downhill, with the help of Diane, from excentric to drinking, pill taking, and insane.
While the author has a great gift for the description of beautiful landscapes and creatures she seems to always have to spoil this with something horrid at the end. If she finds something lovely in nature there will be something rotting or decaying next to it. I don't know if it is intentional, saying something about the nature of the characters but I found it disconcerting, I actually started to dread her waxing lyrical about a scene or place because I was waiting for the slap in the face with lovely but squashed butterfly maybe.
I found the end result to be relief at finishing the book because I didn't like the tension of waiting for the next bit of "nasty" and I just don't understand how it could possibly be described as funny, not at all. To sum up the book I would say, imagine a lovely red juicy apple, bite into it and see a maggot.
Diane lives in a squalid little shack with her mother who drinks too much, her step-father who is a barbaric bully and her spitefully step-siblings. During a chance encounter with Isabel who's rich father owns Critchley Hall and all the surrounding land including Diane's home, Diane sees at a glance what she could have and what she wants and sets about getting it no matter what the cost.
There was no one at all pleasant in this book, Diane is the epitome of a vile young woman full of envy and spite, she insinuates herself into the family and sticks there like a kind of leech sucking the very life out of them. Isabel is a spoilt Daddy's girl but with a streak of generosity. Isabel's father Geoffrey is obnoxious both a bore and a sleaze and her mother goes downhill, with the help of Diane, from excentric to drinking, pill taking, and insane.
While the author has a great gift for the description of beautiful landscapes and creatures she seems to always have to spoil this with something horrid at the end. If she finds something lovely in nature there will be something rotting or decaying next to it. I don't know if it is intentional, saying something about the nature of the characters but I found it disconcerting, I actually started to dread her waxing lyrical about a scene or place because I was waiting for the slap in the face with lovely but squashed butterfly maybe.
I found the end result to be relief at finishing the book because I didn't like the tension of waiting for the next bit of "nasty" and I just don't understand how it could possibly be described as funny, not at all. To sum up the book I would say, imagine a lovely red juicy apple, bite into it and see a maggot.
June 19, 2018
I picked this book up at Gwydir Castle and, having loved Castles In The Air ( also by Judy Corbett), I read this one very quickly too. There is absolutely no doubt that Judy Corbett is a very skilful writer. Her descriptions of nature and the beautiful detail she so exquisitely encapsulates in her writing made it worth reading. I so wanted to love it but found the main character of Diane so completely vile she seemed like a caricature of manipulation and evil. I was left wondering why Judy Corbett couldn't find anything redemptive to say about her? It reminded me of You by Caroline Kepnes which I detested. Too many books nowadays dwell on psychopaths or sociopaths, call them what you will, they are equally horrible, and what they do to others is vile. I like books that leave me with something uplifting, no matter how bleak the journey. Think of Anne Frank's: "In spite of everything I still believe people are really good at heart." I could find nothing good about Diane and certainly would not read another book about her. Sorry, Judy, but a writer of your skill should be doing more with her talent than this! Did Margaret have a hand in this book? For the reader of this you would have to have read Castles In the Air to understand what I mean by this. The title of Envy, however, was perfect.
September 24, 2017
I personally loved it. Could have been a bit more detailed and elaborated but nevertheless I enjoyed reading it very much.
September 7, 2021
Jubilatoire.
October 16, 2009
There is a malevolence about this book this is strangely disturbing, and even though the book is aimed at teens, it crosses over to become a very good adult read.
The sinister elements of the story reminded me of how easy it is to be duped by people, and that sometimes all is not as it seems.
A good read, and one I enjoyed in one sitting.
The sinister elements of the story reminded me of how easy it is to be duped by people, and that sometimes all is not as it seems.
A good read, and one I enjoyed in one sitting.
August 16, 2009
An extremely well written novel, but ... disturbing. Written from the perspective of a sociopath. I still think Ms. Corbett is a fabulous writer, but the subject left me feeling "icky". I suppose that is the point though, so kudos to her!
July 5, 2016
Could not put this down! One of the best books I have read in a long time.Went from feeling sorry for Diane,to feeling sorry for Isabel then for both,but also hating Diane at times,made me feel lots of emotion,I was desperate to see how it ended.It was atmospheric and dark and I loved it.
May 4, 2013
A well-written but disturbing read. I'm not sure how I felt about it. I was left with the same worried feeling I had when finishing Gone Girl.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews