What do You think about To Die For (2003)?
What a wonderful read. I had a hard time putting it down, actually. I loved how the novel was set up in testimonials, there was so much dramatic irony regarding what Suzanne would say and where the truth was with the kids. I just love novels that tell a story that already happened.When starting the novel, you already know the basic plot: Suzanne is Pamela Smart, seducing a teenage boy and hiring him and two other teens to murder her husband. Your first impression before reading is 'how interesting, I'm sure she's messed up". From the first page, you read nice things about Suzanne's past and how she was so wonderful. You start out somewhat liking her and wanting her to fufill her dreams but you grow to absolutley hate her. You grow to root for Lydia and Jimmy. What I love is that the characters resemble reality. They are people trying to figure out truth from lies. One person has a positive opinion about Suzanne while another knows the truth. Suzanne as a character is so interesting; rolling in lies underneath her ambition and beauty.Awesome, fun read. I suggest it if you're looking for an intriguing crime novel.
—Marianna
I���ll start by saying I am intrigued by Joyce Maynard and want to read all of her books. This one was not hard reading but the subject matter was a little out of character for me. It was told in the different voices of the subject, Susie, an aspiring television newscaster and the other characters from her parents and sister to her husband and students. There were three students the beguiling Susie befriended under the guise of interviewing them for a project on what young people thought. At only 25 herself, Susie did that also with an ulterior motive, to do away with her loving husband after she decided she had made a mistake in marrying. So it held my interest and was easy to read. It���s just not always enjoyable to read about such devious minds and plans. I gave it 3.5 on my blog.
—jimtown
True Rating 3.5 starsI had seen the movie first and enjoyed it, I thought Nicole Kidman was brilliant. In reading the book, I realized what an incredibly good job the screenplay writer had done in maintaining the feeling of the book. Although the topic is obviously awful, particularly as it was based loosely on a true story (The Pamela Smart case), the book is darkly funny throughout. The entire story is told by several different characters in short chapters of first person narratives. I found that the characters were all throughly fleshed out and despite all being basically stereotypes, each had an authentic voice.
—Cyn
