Skip to main content

 

    If you're looking for a novel similar to

Gone Girl, I believe you've found it when

considering Stephanie Wrobel's suspense-

thriller, Darling Rose Gold. Based in

a present-day small town, this story follows

that of an "overprotective" mother caring

for her "sick" daughter--in reality, her

mother was poisoning her for years in order

to gain the sympathy of others. Although, it

wasn't necessarily sympathy the mother was

going for but more so praise. She wanted the appraisal of others for

all of the "hard work" and "dedication" she'd been giving her ill

daughter. When realization set in of what was actually going on, Rose

Gold sent her mother, Patty, to prison for five years of child abuse/

endangerment. It was her single testimony, along with witnesses' inputs

and evidence, that fixed Patty's fate.

    Five years later, Patty's out of prison . . . and staying with Rose

Gold and her infant son, Adam. Things are quite peculiar when reading

through the novel. The synopsis is evident that Patty poisoned Rose 

Gold as a child, but there's a back and forth between the characters (

and their timelines) that makes the reader question what exactly

happened between the two of them before Patty's incarceration. Rose

Gold's actions of taking Patty in make those who harbor resentment

towards Patty watch her even closer. Patty feels the scrutiny and just

wants those around her to appreciate her for what she truly is -- a

doting mother who cares for her daughter and grandson.

    While reader's should feel sorry for Rose Gold, it's astonishing to

realize she's got quite the schemes up her sleeves. In those five years

of Patty's stay in prison, Rose Gold uncovered family secrets that had

every impact on her upbringing and future with her mother.

Manipulation, deceit, betrayal, and outright terror impede on Rose

Gold's decisions and overall character throughout the novel. She's not

a force to be reckoned with but feared. Unfortunately, everything Rose

Gold forges for herself goes unnoticed (in all the promising ways). She

gets off scot-free of all the bad deeds she's led herself to do and in

turn, her mother takes the fall.

    Wrobel's novel holds a phrase that I believe stands true when it

comes to the overall outcome of the novel: (1) "They say a grudge is a

heavy thing to carry. Good thing we're extra strong" (305). There's

obvious tension between mother and daughter, not surprising considering

the circumstances. Instead of Rose Gold being the bigger person, she

was the smarter of the two and achieved her diabolical plans to a T.

    I'd highly recommend this novel to those who are fans of Gone Girl.

The tension between characters, the twists and turns that occur in

order for the most sinister to achieve their goals. HIGHLY contagious

to read and oh-so worth it!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

April 19th Poetry Prompt: Write a poem without using pronouns

Don't for the past 10 months the 19th day (between 30 + 31 of those accounted for) has been the most difficult for so many reasons death isn't easy especially in the aftermath + to think differently should fain ignorance sympathy is an honest tactic until pity seeps in (which doesn't suffice) actions are louder than words however these words spoke volumes in an attempt to quit bullshitting relationships were halted-- relationships in which happiness/ brightness/giving was demanded-- to harbor for one let alone all was inhumane so snip in response: no wedding invitations (something to smile at + not mean) to stop wallowing in sadness + own pity + emotionally invest in the happiness of other recipients around -- to fake it + make it for a group effort in other words: get the fuck over it  + stop letting shit fly by be happy for all around because emotions were contorted due to the decision to guard + - hope to hear a cons...
Post a Comment
Read more

Spirits and Swords!

Onyx and Ivory , by Mindee Arnett, was a complete spur of the moment buy at the bookstore and  I am forever patting myself on the back because this YA fantasy novel is a hit! The cover caught  my  attention on the shelf, but the synopsis-- a "traitor's" daughter at a point of finding out secrets and rekindling love with an unsuspecting partner? Count me in! Following Kate's story was simple and riveting from the get-co. Magic influenced Kate from birth and  she spends her adolescence hiding it -- a final rule and request from her father before he was executed by  the crown. The crown being Kate's supposed love -- Price Corwin. Corwin undergoes his own growing pains  and turmoil as he's set up against his older brother to,   literally ,   contend for the future of the crown!  Between personal discovery and growth both individuals deal with, magic has a stronghold influence on  the storyline, primarily between those who...
Post a Comment
Read more

Everyone's Relatable

     Fredrik Backman's Anxious People  is a 2019 publication, translated into English in 2021. This novel was nothing I had expected it to be based on the synopsis of a desperate individual who turned to robbing a bank in order to overcome current life circumstances. The novel follows a number of characters and their current livelihoods; individuals "held up" as hostages in the middle of an apartment showing which took place before the New Year holiday. I was impressed with the attention to detail Backman was able to portray, not necessarily in backdrops of locations but between the different characters' thoughts/lifestyles throughout the piece. What I expected of an individual in the beginning was not relatable to what was uncovered/divulged to the reader towards the middle/end of the novel.     This novel did follow the actions of a woman (not identified gender-wise until late into the novel) who chose to rob a bank in order to retrieve financial means t...
Post a Comment
Read more