Book review - The Pools

 

Title: The Pools

Author: E. Lockhart

Genre: magical realism

Age range: teen

Similar book: Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust

Summary (provided by publisher): Once, in a small New England town known for its hot springs, something terrible happened. Something that should have been a warning to stay away from the pools, if the stories were to be believed.

But no one is afraid of the water anymore, even if they should be.

When new girl Lexie meets golden boy Chester, their chemistry is undeniable. She’s running from a glittering life she won’t speak about. He’s hiding secrets of his own. Their connection feels bigger than both of them, despite their damage.

One frigid winter morning in that small New England town, five people go for a swim in the pools. Five people, including Chester. What happens there sends shock waves through the town, changing life as Lexie knows it forever.

What I liked: Lockhart's writing is spare and carefully constructed. There are no wasted words. The moments chosen aren't the obvious ones we would expect but do a great deal to develop characters and relationships.

What I didn't like: WARNING - HERE BE SPOILERS

It's impossible to discuss what I don't like about this book without spoiling a good deal of it, especially since there isn't a lot going on in the plot. For a book about a curse there is very little action. Very little time is spent exploring why this particular trip to the pools turned people into birds. There is little time spent trying to "fix" it. Most of the text is reflecting on how people are feeling and interacting. Or not, as the case may be. It's very introspective to a degree that can become tiresome. And the ending is not the least satisfying. It breaks it's own rules of the curse. While it is artistic and a relatively quick read I was not overly fond of it.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley