Molly Foust reviewed Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeny
Review of 'Beautiful Ugly' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
The fun factor on this book is five stars. I found I could not stop exclaiming. DID YOU JUST DO THAT? (introduce a parodic fate character who weaves) WTF (with the Island mistrustful of outsiders trope) HAHAHAA (was that a Vanished reference redone?.) The author anticipates your skepticism and valiantly distracts and misdirects you. Just let it happen because no matter how incredulous you might be, the end is hilarious and worth it.
I was so charmed that suspending my disbelief became a labor of love. The atmosphere of a remote Scottish island in the Hebrides is just where you want to be. The hodgepodge of your favorite characters plucked from Wickerman, Gone Girl, Macbeth, sundry horror movies/ thrillers and transformed with a good dose of female power are so fun. Even the plot twists were torn from here and there and remade with such dramatic aplomb that what stands …
The fun factor on this book is five stars. I found I could not stop exclaiming. DID YOU JUST DO THAT? (introduce a parodic fate character who weaves) WTF (with the Island mistrustful of outsiders trope) HAHAHAA (was that a Vanished reference redone?.) The author anticipates your skepticism and valiantly distracts and misdirects you. Just let it happen because no matter how incredulous you might be, the end is hilarious and worth it.
I was so charmed that suspending my disbelief became a labor of love. The atmosphere of a remote Scottish island in the Hebrides is just where you want to be. The hodgepodge of your favorite characters plucked from Wickerman, Gone Girl, Macbeth, sundry horror movies/ thrillers and transformed with a good dose of female power are so fun. Even the plot twists were torn from here and there and remade with such dramatic aplomb that what stands is a mighty fine story. I chuckled, shook my head, and delighted in the revenge. It was truly the best thriller I have read in a long time. I would love to see the movie, and I love that this island exists, even if it is in Alice Feeney's imagination.
