This was a hit for me. I love opposites-but-identical pairs. This was a story full of travel and exploration but somehow it still felt insular and cosy, so it felt a little slow at times but I think that fit this particular story well.

This is probably too specific of a comment but this was the dynamic I wanted from "Stalking Jack the Ripper".

Honestly I was genuinely surprised that these two grown adults actually talked to each other, even when they argued they didnt act unreasonably, they actually respected each other - so this is not for the poeple who love mess and miscommunication - maybe that's why this felt so harmonious (although yes, they both needed a lot of reassurance so there was "miscommunication" in some little sense).

In some books the main conflict in this book might have been ridiculous but in here it was well done - essentially the only thing standing between them was they themselves. But it was understandable because childhood circumstances and growing up insecure can really brand someone. Plus, you can see in their conversations that they are both aware of their own reaction patterns, they have reflected on themselves and their lives - but that doesnt make them capable of controlling these reaction impulses, but they do try hard.

Also, I just love a miserable, overworked, capable, Tired® man

But, in the end the story couldn't stir me enough to make it a favorite or evoke big feelings; doesn't make it less solid though

This gets a full 5 tears out of 5

Wonkas irrepressible intolerance of Mike gagged me This accurately represented my childhood (possibly also adulthood) dream of rags to riches-ing my way into becoming some whackos heir by just standing around

Part 1 and 3 I found better than 2, I don't know if it was simply because Rachel Atkins' narration was superior or if the author really couldn't bring across the experience as well? I remember myself thinking that the author could probably put himself into our female narrators place better than that of the drowning migrants, and therefore those parts felt detached and clinical I have a recommendation for poeple who liked this, and lots of poeple have probably read it for the readalong, but it's: The Stranger by Camus I had to mention it because there are quite a few paragraphs that gave me Meursault flashbacks, especially when she started saying how the crime wasn't her fault but the sea's fault TT And her interview with the police officer that then lengthened and became a discussion about her apathy and incomprehensible morals - vs Mersault at trial, his personality being dissected; and with both, the crime becoming secondary while their character became the main point of contention and upset -> and along that line, the book itself also rather focused on her than any of the migrants The migrants' story was just an interlude in all this Though I do agree that this issues cannot be blamed on one single person, it's systematic, but that doesn't absolve the individual I really liked how aware our main character was, every counter argument you could give she listed herself, but despite that she still couldn't wrap her head around it

I could've worded this all better but, I'd recommend this, if you don't like this 30 mins in you're not gonna like it at all, so just try it out