Title: Shutter Island
Author: Dennis Lehane
Genre: Mystery
# of pages: 385
Rating: 10 out of 10
Shutter Island is the ultimate psychological thriller. It begins with two US marshals, Teddy Daniels and Chuck Aule, going to Shutter Island, an asylum for the criminally insane. They are investigating the disappearance of Rachel Solando, who had drowned her three children and made them her "dolls". Under further observations, it becomes very unlikely that Rachel escaped without the help of someone on the island. When the marshals discover an encoded message, they interpret it to say that there is another, unidentified, 67th patient. Soon enough, Rachel is found in one of the rooms, but the marshals still stay around, questioning the ethics of the procedures on Shutter Island. And yet, the real truth is yet to be revealed.
This is my second favorite book I've ever read, only after 1984. It is mind-boggling and leads you to predicting dead ends. This story is no typical investigation. There is a syllogism in this book that sums the whole mindset of it up: "Insane men deny they are insane... Bob denies he is insane... Ergo, Bob is insane." I love this quote because it is so counter-intuitive, so incredibly not-what-you'd-think. Dennis Lehane has a nasty talent for confusing the heck out of his readers, and makes them read the book twice, or maybe even a third time. I know I did. In what better setting for a psychological book is there than an insane asylum? It brings out thoughts that makes you question your own sanity, the sanity of mankind. For anyone who enjoys a relatively uneventful, yet thought provoking book, Shutter Island should be on the top of his or her to-read list.
oooooh, sounds great!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book Reese. Have you ever read any books simular to this? Good Job.
ReplyDeleteShutter Island sounds like an amazing book. I don't really read this kind of books, but your synopsis definitely made we want to. But isn't Shutter Island a movie? Great job, by the way!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great sounding book that I would love to read because it sounds like my thing. I'm pretty sure I saw it at the library in town once I think I just might check it out. The movie alos looks like a must-see but I think the book would help me understand it more.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an awesome book. I saw the movie and loved it. I am definitely putting this on my list of books to read. If the book is any better than the movie, (which books usually are), it will be incredible.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds very good! Just the minute of the movie commercial made me interested. Thank you for suggesting this book. I cannot wait to read this for an exciting summer thriller!
ReplyDeleteWoah. Sounds like a great book! This was also made into a movie recently, right? Have you seen it. There are some books that make you think in a philosophical way, such as 'why are we here', and 'whats the point of living'. Not in an insane way, not to be ironic.. Haha. But this is really interesting in the way that it would possbily make you question your insanity. It sounds like such an intriguing book, hopefully when i read it i wont get to freaked out! :)
ReplyDeleteReese, I thoroughly enjoyed your post! Your logic is never lacking, "Ergo Bob is insane" and I have noticed a pattern, do you enjoy reading books by author's who "have a nasty talent for confusing the heck out of their readers"? Reading books should make you think and since psychology and how the human brian functions (disturbed or otherwise) is a subject that interests me I might give this one a shot.
ReplyDelete