Wednesday

Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane

U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels has come to Shutter Island, home of Ashecliffe Hospital for the Criminally Insane. Along with his partner, Chuck Aule, he sets out to find an escaped patient.

But nothing at Ashecliffe Hospital is what it seems.And neither is Teddy Daniels.

Is he there to find a missing patient? Or has he been sent to look into rumors of Ashecliffe's radical approach to psychiatry? An approach that may include drug experimentation, hideous surgical trials, and lethal countermoves in the shadow war against Soviet brainwashing ...

The closer Teddy and Chuck get to the truth, the more elusive it becomes, and the more they begin to believe that they may never leave Shutter Island.

Because someone is trying to drive them insane ... [via GoodReads]

So, I made the error of reading this book late into the night and after reading most of it and wrapping it up around 2am, I found that I had no one to share the awesomeness that this book is at that time... which sucked majorly.

Shutter Island started a bit slow for me - I think most books start slow for me, I tend to drag around in those first introductory chapters, unless there is action, of course. But once Teddy and Chuck dock on Shutter Island and begin to learn of the missing patient I started getting into the story, I mean really into it. I had a hard time putting this book down after that. I was fascinated by the descriptions of mental healthcare in the 50's. The mystery of the missing patient, and the weird awkwardness of the doctors and orderlies had me on edge.

Now I know most of you have seen the previews for the movie and are thinking this is a horror/scary book. I did not find it to be scary as much as I found it to be creepy. The story had this dark feel to it - there is a hurricane and most of the story takes place under heavy rain and winds. Then the setting itself, the creepy hospital full of insane patients was no help either. Reading it makes you feel chaotic - it was very fitting.

As for the ending, woah, I did not see that one coming. When it was over, I literally had to sit there for a couple of minutes and just take it in, then rethink everything that happened... put all the pieces together... and then... wow, brilliant! There were so many twists and turns along the way that I just stumbled into that ending, blinded and pretty much blown away by it.

This is my first Lehane novel, and it will definitely not be my last.

If you are a fan of mystery/thrillers, I would recommend you get your hands on this book - it is nothing short of brilliant.

19 comments:

Jenny said...

Yay, I can't wait to read this one!! I have it sitting here waiting for me... just need to get around to it.

Anonymous said...

Im reading this right now.....its so good!!! You'll have to let us all know if you go see the movie..

Jess - A Book Hoarder said...

I am such a wimp so I wasn't sure if I wanted to see this movie but I love Leonardo DeCaprio so I was undecided. Now I know I MUST read this book and then I'll probably see the movie. Thanks for the review.

Anonymous said...

The movie was so great and I'm sure the book is even better. I loved all the twists and turns. I have to get my hands on this one asap.

Cynthiagarrido2004 said...

This one sounds so great Nely as usual I love your reviews I need to read this book

xoxo

Tammy said...

Okay I have to order this one-It sounds like one I have to read and then go see the movie.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

If it's anything like the movie, no - there is nothing really "scary" about Shutter Island. It's more of a mind-twist.

Vanessa Book ♥ Soulmates said...

Great review! I never read it back in October when I bought it... guess I'm going to have to pick it up again! lol.

♥ya!

Cindy said...

I will definitely be picking this up. Great review :)

Kerry said...

Great review, thanks! I'm not big into suspenseful/scary movies, so as good as this looked, I didn't plan to see it. Definitely planning on reading the book though!

Alison/Alison's Book Marks said...

Great review! WHen I saw the movie previews, I said to my husband, "nope, I won't be reading THAT book!" I am eating my words, Miss N. Thanks!

Lauren {Geeb} said...

I am really looking forward to reading this book. I don't think I'll see the movie it looks a little creeptatic for me.

Ryan said...

I want to read this before I see the movie, but I'm not sure how that it will work out. Great review.

Emidy @ Une Parole said...

I LOVED THE MOVIE! I was expecting it to be a horror/scary movie, and I was surprised to find that it was more psychological and deep than that. And wow, what a great ending! Such a twist.

I'm sure the book is even better, so I really want to read it. I wish I knew about the book before I saw the movie, though! Great review! Now I want to read it even more.

Emidy
Une Parole

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

I've been curious about Dennis Lehane for awhile now. I really loved the movie Mystic River, which is based on a Lehane novel. Thanks for this review!

Unknown said...

oh i think i am going to read this then watch the movie!
SB


not too serious i hope

Boof (The Book Whisperer) said...

Ooh, I have this coming up as a group read in March - have heard lots of good stuff about it too. Great review, thanks.

christa @ mental foodie said...

Read this a while back and totally agree with your review - almost gave up the book as it started out slow... but definitely glad I stayed with it as I love the ending!

Although, I can't picture Leonardo as the main lead in the movie... guess will have to watch it first!

Ivana said...

A great review! Sadly, I haven't been so lucky to get the book into my hands, but I've seen the movie. I second your thoughts on the ending.

And the setting-yes, the tornado, so creepy!

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