Deary me, you should’ve heard me squeal when Shutter Island landed on my doorstep following another book-buying-binge online. In fact, I’d be surprised if you didn’t! I was SO excited to read this and just couldn’t contain myself. Fortunately it had been a long time since watching the movie so I’d forgotten a few details, but was still hoping the book wouldn’t be ruined by the film. Risking a spoiler let me just say that I equally liked them both!
Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
4 out of 5
Published 2003 by Bantam Press
Number of pages: 414
Purchased from eBay
Blurb: US Marshal Teddy Daniels has come to Shutter Island, home of Ashecliffe Hospital for the Criminally Insane, to find an escaped murderer named Rachel Solando.
As a killer hurricane hurricane bears down on the island, the investigation deepens and the questions mount. How has a barefoot woman escaped from a locked room? Who is leaving them clues in the form of cryptic codes? And what really goes on in ward C?
The closer Teddy gets to the truth, the more elusive it becomes. And the more he beings to believe that he may never leave Shutter Island. Because someone is trying to drive him insane.
My thoughts: A brilliant concept for sure! The atmosphere in the book can been cut with a knife, it is dark, scary and claustrophobic; and I was happy not to be the one stuck on Shutter Island myself. Admittedly had I not seen the movie first, I would’ve struggled a bit to keep track of what’s happening. The realities were so twisted into each other I was constantly trying to find my bearings without losing my own mind.
The pacing was fast, the characters interesting and the plot was mind-blowing.
I will need to give this book another go, soon! I don’t normally re-read the books (due to the ever growing TBR shelf) but I feel like I missed bits first time around. I’ll also need to re-watch the film, it’s kickass!
4 out of 5 stars – an astounding psychological thriller (although slightly confusing).
