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Then She Was Gone

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'Then She Was Gone' by Lisa Jewell is a psychological thriller that follows the story of Laurel Mack, a mother whose daughter, Ellie, goes missing at the age of 15. The novel delves into the aftermath of Ellie's disappearance, the impact it has on her family, and Laurel's journey towards closure. Through alternating timelines and multiple perspectives, the book explores themes of loss, grief, family dynamics, and the unsettling truth behind Ellie's disappearance. Lisa Jewell's writing style is described as compelling, suspenseful, and emotionally engaging, with well-defined characters and a plot that keeps readers on edge with unexpected twists and turns.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, portraying a realistic range of emotions and moral complexities, showcasing weaknesses and strengths shaped by trauma.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is accessible and gripping, employing multiple perspectives to enhance the emotional and psychological aspects of the narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around the disappearance of a teenage girl and its haunting effect on her family, especially her mother, who struggles with unresolved grief and seeks closure.

Setting:

The contemporary London setting serves as a backdrop that enhances the themes of loss, recovery, and the search for closure.

Pacing:

The pacing oscillates between reflective and brisk, keeping readers engaged through a combination of suspenseful plotting and emotional depth.
Laurel let herself into her daughter’s flat. It was, even on this relatively bright day, dark and gloomy. The window at the front was overwhelmed by a terrible tangle of wisteria while the other side ...

Notes:

The book is centered around Laurel Mack, whose daughter Ellie disappeared when she was 15 years old.
Laurel struggles with relationships with her surviving children and her ex-husband due to the emotional toll of Ellie’s disappearance.
Years later, Laurel meets a man named Floyd, whose daughter Poppy resembles her missing daughter Ellie.
Poppy's mother was also Ellie's math tutor, creating a web of connections that raises questions about both girls' fates.
The narrative shifts perspectives between different characters, including multiple points of view from the past and present.
Themes of grief, parenting, and survival after trauma are explored throughout the novel.
The story depicts how Laurel has become estranged from her other children, Hanna and Jake, as she has focused so much on her lost daughter.
The book tackles the psychological impact of loss on a family, showing how each member copes differently.
Laurel’s obsession with finding Ellie leads to significant stress in her other familial relationships.
Ellie's case is initially considered a runaway, but as time passes, there are no clear answers regarding what really happened.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include missing children, grief, trauma, mental illness, and emotional abuse.

Has Romance?

A developing romance between Laurel and Floyd occurs, adding emotional complexity to the story.

From The Publisher:

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

From the New York Times bestselling author of Invisible Girl and The Truth About Melody Browne comes a "riveting" (PopSugar) and "acutely observed family drama" (People) that delves into the lingering aftermath of a young girl's disappearance.

Ellie Mack was the perfect daughter. She was fifteen, the youngest of three. Beloved by her parents, friends, and teachers, and half of a teenaged golden couple. Ellie was days away from an idyllic post-exams summer vacation, with her whole life ahead of her.

And then she was gone.

Now, her mother Laurel Mack is trying to put her life back together. It's been ten years since her daughter disappeared, seven years since her marriage ended, and only months since the last clue in Ellie's case was unearthed. So when she meets an unexpectedly charming man in a café, no one is more surprised than Laurel at how quickly their flirtation develops into something deeper. Before she knows it, she's meeting Floyd's daughters-and his youngest, Poppy, takes Laurel's breath away.

Because looking at Poppy is like looking at Ellie. And now, the unanswered questions she's tried so hard to put to rest begin to haunt Laurel anew. Where did Ellie go? Did she really run away from home, as the police have long suspected, or was there a more sinister reason for her disappearance? Who is Floyd, really? And why does his daughter remind Laurel so viscerally of her own missing girl?

Ratings (119)

Incredible (13)
Loved It (57)
Liked It (31)
It Was OK (10)
Did Not Like (6)
Hated It (2)

Reader Stats (227):

Read It (128)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (76)
Did Not Finish (3)
Not Interested (19)

1 comment(s)

Did Not Like
6 months

Meh.

 

About the Author:

Lisa Jewell is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of nineteen novels, including The Family Upstairs and Then She Was Gone, as well as Invisible Girl and Watching You. Her novels have sold over 5 million copies internationally, and her work has also been translated into twenty-nine languages. Connect with her on Twitter @LisaJewellUK, on Instagram @LisaJewellUK, and on Facebook @LisaJewellOfficial.

 
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