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Beth B. (New Wilmington, PA)
Why
Fasten your seat belts and jump right into this book!! Suspense, brilliant characterization, sense of London as a place, lost then found, clues dropped like bread crumbs -- this novel has all of that and more. Harriet Lane, the author, has the uncanny ability to throw the reader off as she performs a back and forth from chapter to chapter. You'll find yourself asking "Why?" many times as you try to unravel just where the plot is leading. I guarantee you'll think about this book long after you read the last word.
Joan P. (Owego, NY)
Her
I read "Her" in one sitting. This is an exquisite short novel. The author develops the two main characters bit by bit until readers feel they know them well. Not so fast! Doubts build gradually. The frazzled Emma is the older mother of two small children who is barely coping with the demands of keeping house and raising children without help from her husband. Nina is a serene artist. She is the mother of a teenager who is facing the prospect of an empty nest. In alternating chapters, Nina and Emma give their versions of a number of events in their friendship. Nina makes it clear that their paths have crossed but Emma has no inkling that they have ever known one another. I found "Her" very we'll written. It's fascinating and disturbing
Sue Z. (Cornelius, NC)
Her by Harriet Lane
"Her" is a chilling tale of obsession and the evil that it engenders. The story is told from the point of view of two women, Emma, an unfulfilled suburban stay-at-home mother, and Nina, a well known artist. An uneasy relationship is forged between the two and the horror mounts slowly until, at last, tragedy strikes. Or does it? The reader has to decide for herself
Laurie H. (Stuart, FL)
Her ~ a puzzle
The format of this book kept me intrigued and interested. I was pleasantly surprised when the thread finally pulled through so to speak. I found it curious that the book ended where it did. What became of these two women once Emma realized what had happened between them? Also, what of Christopher? Many questions about this book. I'd love to read and discuss this with my book club.
Caryl B. (Portage, MI)
Her
Harriet Lane's novel Her took me awhile to decide if I wanted to keep reading it but I am glad I stuck with it as I like novels with suspense and this book didn't disappoint. I might have written a different ending for this book instead of a cliffhanger, I will be recommending we read this at a future book club.
Amy H. (Johnson City, TN)
Her
Her is a well written book told in alternating chapters / voices. The story of two "friends", Nina and Emma. Nina recognizes Emma but Emma is unaware of who Nina is Nina pretends to be friendly and caring, weaving her way back into Emma's life in some very unusually cruel ways. The past of these two is never disclosed. The book ended rather vaguely, leaving me to wonder if I had missed something. A few more details of this "friendship" would have tied up the loose ends,
Susan B. (Coventry, RI)
Her, A Novel
I was puzzled by the book Her. The alternating chapters, about one character and then the next were confusing at first. But once I got into the rhythm of that pattern, I began to enjoy the book. Of course once I got into the body of the book, I began to wonder why Nina is making such an effort to befriend Emma. They have almost nothing in common; Nina's daughter is finishing high school and Emma has two young children that she struggles with. Nina begins to make serious efforts to arrange circumstances that involve Emma. So there was an air of mystery that moved the story along and I got caught up with it. I enjoyed the book very much but when I got to the end, I found it hard to believe the direction it headed in. I thought it a little far-fetched. Despite this, I recommend this book and give it four stars.
Susan M. (New Holland, PA)
Her
The first chapter of Her immediately draws you into this suspenseful story of two very different women with a connection that goes back to their teenage years.
Nina, a local painter and Emma, a pregnant mother of a 2 year old, meet one another and ostensibly become friends but this is not a true friendship.
Nina recognizes Emma but because Emma has no clue who Nina is, Nina is able to work her way back into Emma's life and begins a series of cruel actions toward her former "friend" and her family.
There's an air of mystery throughout the story that keeps you reading to find out what happens next and why.
Unfortunately, at least for me, the ending leaves you hanging, wondering why the author didn't choose to come up with a better, more conclusive ending.
Thus, I enjoyed reading Her until the final paragraph. If you can accept the "write your own ending" aspect of Her, you will most likely enjoy this book.