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The Woman in the Window
The Woman in the Window
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The Woman in the Window: Chapters 1-9
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Fro, C1-9, we are told A LOT but nothing significant happens. The pacing is quite slow but I wonder if it's because the woman has agoraphobia. She's quite lonely, doesn't go out, so the drama is the thoughts in her head...And Olivia- her daughter- doesn't sound like an eight-yr old from her dialogue. But I haven't revisited it after learning her age.
The main woman- we are not told her age but I would think 50 or over from her manner. But... now, perhaps late 30s or early 40s?
I'm curious to see how A.J Finn makes the book more alive,
Saarah wrote: "Fro, C1-9, we are told A LOT but nothing significant happens. The pacing is quite slow but I wonder if it's because the woman has agoraphobia. She's quite lonely, doesn't go out, so the drama is th..."I found the first 10 chapters to be SUPER slow as well. It's a good thing the chapters are short because it would be a pain to read long, slow chapters about absolutely nothing.
But you are right I do have to factor in that she's agoraphobic, so there isn't going to be much interaction with people since she doesn't get out at all, and it seems like the people besides her family who used to be in her life has either left her or she's distanced herself from them.
I always assumed the main character was in her early 40s or so for some reason.
Hopefully the books kicks in within the next 10 chapters or so.
Oh my god I'm so glad I'm not the only one to find it slow to begin with, and I agree it feels like your just plodding along but honestly it does pick up I swear ;-)
This is crazy! Read this article about the book's author, it's insane. It coincidentally just landed in my inbox. I would never have thought this is something that happens in a benign setting as a book industry. I kind of want to know how this got out!https://www.stylist.co.uk/books/this-...
This guy-A. J.Finn- is scheduled to do an interview on Mumsnet. Webchat. If I wasn't working, I'd ask him out-right. Though, he's probably going to cancel it as a result. He's a complete scumbag!
Anyway, putting all the disbelief aside, thank you for commenting. It's nice to know we are -quite literally- on the same page!I'm tempted to boycott the book but then I want to know if it's even that good- worth the lies- if you know what I mean?
I won't let it affect my rating, not intentionally anyway. Just really shocked! Real-life drama: I guess this is what happens in a book-club. We gossip!
OH MY GOD!!!! sorry what a total waste of skin used on a man like that (I'm referring to the article I just read) how must his mother and brother feel to realise to further his career he killed them off.
also how childish can a man be who seems to get everything so easy.
when you see how difficult it is for women to try and make their mark in the publishing world (any work world) its so wrong because I'm sure if a woman invented a story that bad she would be labeled and judged with an inch of her life and I can not understand why anyone would touch him with a 10 foot barge poll because if I read this article before reading his book I wouldn't of bothered I'm definitely not reading his next and I won't be seeing the film,I know I sound bitter but people like him really make me cross because there are people out there working their bloody ass's off to make a life for themselves.
Exactly! I agree 100% - you're right if it was a woman it would be 'trending news' but because it's him you nave to search for it!Just yesterday, Britain's tabloids (Daily mail, The Sun, The Mirror) were covering a story regarding Megan Markle and how she caused her husband's, Prince Harry's, hair loss!
The tabloids don't care about what the peple might want to know, they just like to create outrage- whatever direction it goes.
I was just thinking how I would really fear telling such lies because I'd be thinking they may come true as a result. I don't even believe in karma. But, to be able to say these lies! I'd be tearing up at the thought of what my life would be if they were real...He went the whole MILE! It wasn't a single lie: he created this whole tragic life for himself. What if he was using it with women? To 'score' a date or to win their sympathy so they don't break up with him.
It happens in a lot of romances- the guy faces trauma/suffers PTSD... The girl wants to make his life better.
Truly disgusting!
OH yes I didn't think about him using it to find women, you can just imagine meeting him on a dating site and have him sprout all that what a pig, (reason why one has never used a dating website I would probably end up in the boot of somebody's car) I've showed everyone today this article because I was so temping and one lady said how has he been able to still have his book made into a film as if nothing is wrong?? As for the Megan Merkel and Harry it's unbelievable the rubbish they write haven't they seem his brother, father's and grandads head, you don't see them blaming their wives for it.
sometimes reading and listening to the News in the UK can sometimes make me feel a little embarrassed to be British.
It's very likely Finn was estranged from his family, and used that for his advantage- as they would never show up to those award / book events...I seriously hope he doesn't later claim he suffers poor mental health! He was in his right mind if he let it go on so long! Though, thinking on it, he may already have a therapist. He did write a book in which it seems to play a key role, after all.
Reminds me of the actor (forgotten his name!) who deliberately broke his arm so he could score an acting job. He had been facing unemployment and was suffering mental health issues. He pretended he was a war hero, suffering PTSD. He got many jobs as a result. I'm not sure if he came clean of his own accord or, if he was blackmailed.
I do wonder who let the cat out the bag about Finn and how they knew where to look??? and I'm with you a 100% with hoping he doesn't claim he has mental health problems because there are to many genuine people out there who are suffering and trying to battle it for a chance of a simple life.But also it the other things he was doing to people when he was working in the publishing houses that's not mental health that's being selfish and behaving like a brat.
I don't think he can be seeing a therapist because looking back at the book he wasn't very good really.
I'm absolutely kicking myself for rating his book a 4 star and I wished I seen your article you found before.
I know that sounds terrible but I can be a bit of a cow when the moment takes over.
I understand completely. I will rate it like usual but I will link the article in my review. I'm not going to give it a proper review though, he really doesn't deserve his success.I don't think the interview took place on Mumsnet, he's probably lying low until he finds something to defend himself.
Must say, I don't usually concern myself with authors unless I want to tell them how much I love their book.. But this really is something else. I think the film not being made would be a fit punishment but also something more public - as not a lot of people would have heard of the film being in the works anyway .
Wow I'm actually shocked by this news. I had no idea there was a scandal behind the author. However, I am not surprised that he isn't getting nothing more than just a slap on the wrist for his consequence. Unfortunately this is the sad, disgusting world we live in where men can easily get away with bad behavior and deceiving his colleagues, as well as his readers. Meanwhile, women especially women of color are struggling to get out of the same low level position they're pigeonholed in.I would be pissed if I was his mother or brother, because estranged or not, you never say a family member is dead or ill in any case.
If this were a woman she would be blackballed and embarrassed in public hands down. I'll finish the book since I already bought and started it, but I'll be sure not to support this author any further with my money.
Oh Jay I'm with you 100% and I definitely won't be watching or buying any more books by this terrible man.
His defence- quoted from a Guardian article.'In a statement responding to the New Yorker article, Mallory confirmed he had never had cancer, saying he had used the illness to disguise his struggles with bipolar disorder: “It is the case that on numerous occasions in the past, I have stated, implied, or allowed others to believe that I was afflicted with a physical malady instead of a psychological one: cancer, specifically. My mother battled aggressive breast cancer starting when I was a teenager; it was the formative experience of my adolescent life, synonymous with pain and panic. I felt intensely ashamed of my psychological struggles – they were my scariest, most sensitive secret. And for 15 years, even as I worked with psychotherapists, I was utterly terrified of what people would think of me if they knew – that they’d conclude I was defective in a way that I should be able to correct, or, worse still, that they wouldn’t believe me. Dissembling seemed the easier path.”
He added that “like many afflicted with severe bipolar II disorder, I experienced crushing depressions, delusional thoughts, morbid obsessions, and memory problems. It’s been horrific, not least because, in my distress, I did or said or believed things I would never ordinarily say, or do, or believe – things of which, in many instances, I have absolutely no recollection.”
He did go down the mental health route- but surely it needs verifying, he's lied before....
In a different Guardian article- https://www.theguardian.com/commentis...-the author is sympathetic! Says something like it's not as though he's killed anyone.... But then, even this author can't help but acknowledge that if Finn/Mallory were of any other race or sexuality, things would be very different.
Finn actually claimed to have written a paper on Munchausen syndrome which is categorised by sufferers pretending to have a serious illness. I feel like he was offering a clue, waving the truth in their faces, playing with his audience... Like, 'this is all a pretence and you don't even realise...'
The more I learn about him, the more I can't believe he's getting away with it.
--I borrowed the book from the library, but I think authors get paid a little fpr however long a borrkwer keeps hold of the book... So I'm going to speed through it tonight and return it ASAP ;D
I just can't believe that mental health seems to be the go to, to try and get yourself out of trouble when there are many genuine people out there who are trying to hide their problems because they want to seem normal and not labeled and people who work damn hard to control the problems then we get an insensitive man like this,it truly does rub me up the wrong way.
A slow start, but it’s just the first 52 pages so hopefully it will pick up...
I’d assumed the author was a woman. I’m slowly getting toward the end. Some parts are slow.I see a lot of publishers now who want anonymous manuscripts – so they’ll read your work without knowing what you look like or your name or anything to prevent any prejudices.
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Chapters 1-9
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Forgive the tags and those headings.
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Story is mov..."
Yes, I hope the pace is increased or something interesting happens to keep me happy, lol.
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You guys are right! Her condition definitely affects how the book is going. Thank God, the chapters are small!
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I read this this week and I was aware something was the matter with this book, but didn't know for sure until I read the article. I'm hoping to read the apparently-original book to see for myself and I wanna research a little more, This is really unfair if he was allowed to keep his book when this became clear. The publishers should also be blamed. If this is true, his book should be banned. Was there a case?
Sorry if I missed something, I haven't searched it yet.
Aqsa wrote: "This is really unfair if he was allowed to keep his book when this became clear. The publishers should also be blamed. If this is true, his book should be banned. Was there a case?"He got away with it :( Claimed he had bipolar disorder. A quick and convenient defence, but I still think it could be another lie. As it hasn't been verified.
I don't think the publishers should be blamed but, his work should definitely be 'banned' or something. It's not as if it's a masterpiece ;D To be fair, I can understand how easily the publishers were 'blind' to the truth... No one would expect them to have asked Finn for proof he had suffered from cancer or that his mother and brother were dead... They must have just been sympathetic, but clearly someone knew- that's how the truth got out.
I don't, however, agree with how they are still supporting him. That's not right. I read this article, Diana shared on 'Find A Partner To BR With Off-Group': https://bookstr.com/article/first-dec Turns out his book is actually a close copy of another author's work... Finn only gets worse, the more we learn about him!
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No, I mean that after the truth was out, his publisher showed continued support. So that was wrong. I'm sure they know the truth and all his reasons. Yes, that's how I read about this-via Diana. I'll definitely read more about this once I finish it. Also, maybe I'll read the original book.
I wasn't too big a fan of the story so I won't bother with the original unless I come across it by chance in the library or something. I've seen authors plagiarised before- like Karen McManus' One Of Us Is Lying. I've seen a few books which begin with a similar premise to hers but self-published authors. It's awful and sadly not new. I think when so much is digital, it's too easy to let things slide or not notice issues. There are bigger crimes.
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No spoiler tags required.