The Paper Palace (Reese's Book Club): A Novel

I really enjoyed it, loved it at times it had me page turning getting nothing done for hours .Yet at the same time I wanted less description of everything and all the surroundings and more character dialogue .This book delves so deeply into such major life altering and life shattering experiences and issues yet you never really get the full feel of all the characters reactions that you so deeply want and need to read about .At some points I felt cheated by the author's storytelling. It's like you are allowed to know all their secrets but never really know the outcomes from all of the characters. It's as if the author gets you so close to the really emotional depth stuff and then just fades to black for the characters full reaction.So many times you need to understand the characters more and some just feel so elusive Yes you have to pay attention to the chapters and the timeline because it jumps around and I was fine with that but what I wasn't fine with was the way I felt cheated at times by the real emotional depth this story should have delivered and didn't between some of the characters at certain times during this book,and in some cases you just want to "get it " understand these characters, truly know them and I felt I truly didn't know or understand all of them .Without giving too much away , there is a death that is just told to you , you know it happens but it doesn't give you the feels that it should between siblings because it just happens and then everyone just moves on .That was wrong .Many missed emotional opportunities from the author .We have a moment when one survivor is sharing her truths with another survivor and the one just doesn't share a word with her .And the ending was just so left to my interruption, I didn't like it at all . So much left at the end that we as the reader have the burden to determine the outcomes. I wanted to hear the words and the truths to be told , I would have given this book 5 stars if only the author had shared everything, had everything come to light so we the reader could hear the words, read the words of regret ,sharing of the pain ,truths etc...Huge missed opportunities over and over again by the author, it was disappointing.Ending is left again up to your interpretation so just keep that in mind.I liked this read when the dialogue was flowing and I loved it at parts too when the emotions were raw and telling and I was very disappointed with the read also .The writing is well done, similar writing style to The Crawdads I thought..This author has talent. I wouldn't skip it at all but I wouldn't feel right recommending because it was good, but frustrating and secretive when it needed to show the reader at the end all of it's cards sort of speak .4 stars , easily could have been a 5 star read if the author did a better job of sharing.

4.5 wth stars!!I absolutely loved this book (other then the end). This was a book with so many lessons and so many hardships. While going through the past you get to enjoy watching characters blossom. With that there was a lot of pain in so many characters lives throughout. It was necessary. I can see why this book was chosen as a book of the month club book there is ALOT to discuss. Shoot I am discussing with myself nonstop.I think my favorite part is jumping from past to present. I needed that. It was all perfectly placed as well. It gave you background on why you ended up here with these characters. I mean I was in the Paper Palace with all the girls and I grieved with them. It was not all about negative stuff there was a lot of growth and love. It felt like a true story. Like was this someone’s life because I’ll be damned if it didn’t feel like it. And so I give you my second favorite thing is the characters. Omg I love everyone of them and despise many others too. You cheer them on and you cry with them. You second guess everything and wonder what could have been as well. This book was deep for me.Be aware there is a lot triggers and that comes with people writing all these negative reviews. What I say to that is know your boundaries and what you are comfortable with. There are warnings and people say I can’t handle child sexual trauma and that’s understandable. But it’s a part of a story. It builds this story. The pain, the strength, the hopelessness leads to the growth. I don’t think it was done poorly either this is real to some peoples life and I think it felt like it could have happened to anyone. Sadly it has.Now my only critique and the reason I could not give this 5 stars is because the damn ending. She left me. She has me mind boggled. And in some case that’s good.I guess it made me think non-stop about this book, so yea, that’s good. But I need more!! I told my hubby about it because even the next day I am frustrated. He says “is there a part two?” No dang it there is not!!!Get ready to ride the rollercoaster of emotions with this book. I think it is a fabulous summer read.

Great read.

I couldn’t wait to be done with this book. It was ALL over the place and a bit confusing at times. The plot was good but the ending was terrible!!! I am left feeling very confused and let down by the author. There were a lot of needless ramblings. I was hoping for more grit.

A escritora confundi o leitor com tanta falta de objetividade

Wanted a new book after purchasing several since lockdown and have not found anything I've really got into reading the cockleberry Bay series by Nicola May. Saw the reviews for the Paper Palace and wanted to give it a go. I have to say as soon as I started reading I was immediately hooked and have been trying to pace myself ever since as really don't want the book to end its that's good. I 100% agree with all of the other excellent reviews on this book it really is fantastic! I will be looking for other books from this author in future. Fab purchase 👌

It took me a while to get the point. Once I realised that there was really no point, it was just observational, I began to really appreciate and enjoy it. I love the style of writing and the development of characters. And I was sad when it ended...which is always a good sign for me.

This book is well written memoir that explores the author's relationship with her father and her struggle with mental illness. Cowley's prose is vivid and lyrical, capturing the emotional intensity of her experiences with a raw honesty that is both moving and inspiring. Through her intimate portrayal of her father's decline and her own battle with anorexia, Cowley invites us to reflect on the complex nature of family relationships and the impact of mental illness on individuals and their loved ones. THe book is a powerful and deeply personal memoir that offers both insight and hope.

It is a must-read! I love how the story takedown through the lives of the characters. I wish the ending was better.