I received a free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating ⭐
I really tried with this one because Costa's victims deserve to have their stories told. But the alternating chapters with Vonnegut/Mailer were not necessary and added nothing to the story, though then I suppose the book would have been much shorter. I skimmed those chapters because I did not find them interesting or valuable to the real story. I also find it difficult to believe massive re-created conversations and don't believe they belong in a non-fiction text unless the original conversation was recorded word-for-word. A few lines of dialogue, sure. But long conversation? Nope. If the book is marketed as non-fiction, then it should BE non-fiction. There is even an author's note where he states he took some fictional liberties with the story, which is not cool at all and that should have been at the beginning of the text. I was incredibly disappointed in this one, it was a jumbled mess, and I could not finish it despite several attempts. There are better books on the subject, and I do not recommend this one at all.
i get what you are saying. i read it like the recreations they do on id tv and other true crime shows. i also googled some of the stuff to see if it was true.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
It just does not work for me in writing, I guess? I can watch shows with re-enactments (I loved Snapped, lol) but I think the author owed it to readers to state that he took some creative liberties at the beginning of the book, not the end. The Babysitter: My Summers with a Serial Killer by Liza Rodman was infinitely better, if you're ever looking for another book about Costa.
DeleteI can't stand this kind of not quite non fiction haha. If you are looking for a fantastic true-crime/memoir, I suggest Unmasked by Paul Holes. It is probably the best thing I've read this year!
ReplyDeleteI just read that one!! I loved the career aspect of the book, but skimmed a lot of his personal-life stuff.
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