"Her"

“Her”

Written by Harriet Lane

Review written by Diana Iozzia

“Her” is a thriller with an interesting narrative structure. We receive information through the two perspectives of Nina and Emma. Nina is a middle-aged woman, who is a bit bored with her marriage and disappointed by her teen daughter’s lack of interest in her. Emma is a young mom, expecting a second child when we meet her. Nina and Emma know each other, in a way that is haunting and troublesome for both parties involved. Yet, neither of them will tell the other how and why they recognize them.

Nina is increasingly unstable as we read, making strange and deliberately unsettling decisions towards herself, Emma, and Emma’s children. We are seeing a simple, innocent scene through Emma’s eyes, but then see how the scene was interpreted by Nina in her sinister nature. The scenes become more insidious and worrisome as we continue reading.

Naturally, because the scenes and sequences are told in one way, then repeated, the book can be a bit redundant. Some bits are more repetitive. However, there were many I appreciated more, once we had the twisted side thrown in.

By the end of the story, you certainly have an unhinged narrator, a frenzied narrator, and a child in desperate peril. Who is the villain here? Can your past discretions be forgiven, or are you doomed to face them forever?

This short narrative style reminds me a lot of “Lullaby” by Leila Slimani and “Looker” by Laura Sims. There were also some moments that reminded me of “Girl in the Rearview Mirror”. If you liked any of them, I’d imagine you’d enjoy this.

In conclusion, this was a fun thriller. I felt that it was an easy by-the-pool read, without any serious, complex plot devices. It was an entertaining thriller, with easy-to-read dialogue and descriptions. I definitely recommend giving this book a read. I think that many people might find this book too repetitive, but I enjoyed it. I give this book a four out of five stars.