DNF at 30%… may give it another go, but didn’t find the characters or plot gripping enough to continue.

This is an intriguing novel that will keep you wondering up until the last page. A couple on their honeymoon and a sneaky hotel keeper make for a wild ride, A delightful addition to your TBR.

This book is an interesting read for sure.
The first half is basically a letter from the wife’s pov and the second half a letter from the husband’s pov.
The ending is a little tough because the author basically leaves you to put the puzzle pieces together on your own. I didn’t hate it but I didn’t love it. I’m very undecided about how I feel about this book now that I’ve finished it. I do know that I’ve never read a book like it, so for that it’s a 3.5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

This is good, but I think the unusual format sort of gets in the way of the story. It's told as sort of a mixed epistolary novel. But it's out of order and there are pages missing. It may have been a better read if I had read it all in one sitting or hadn't been reading other books at the same time also.

That being said, the story itself is very good. And there's a lot of intrigue. The different perspectives are definitely interesting. The big reveal toward the end totally caught me by surprise. It is very difficult to put this down once the action accelerates toward the end (or it seems to accelerate).

This was an interesting and fun read. I didn’t especially like any of the characters but the story held my interest. It was part mystery, part family drama, and I suppose a little romance as well, although not in a warm and fuzzy way. There is a big reveal toward the end that sort of wraps up the entire story and while it stretches the imagination it also provides a satisfying ending.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review.

How much you like Scarlett Thomas’ well-reviewed “The Sleepwalkers” depends on your appetite or tolerance for very literary novels whose secrets are parceled out slowly and, in the case of “Sleepwalkers,” obliquely via written communications between the novel’s two principals, Evelyn and Richard, who after a tempestuous past have come to be “honeymooning” at a hotel resort on a Greek island. There, they’re hosted by a mysterious woman named Isabella who clearly prefers Richard to Evelyn, though there was some question for me whether Evelyn might be an unreliable narrator and merely imagining Isabella’s antipathy – something Richard clearly thinks. In that way, the novel is like perhaps the most famous instance of unreliable narration, “The Good Soldier,” where, like here, secrets are slowly parceled out, secrets which in “Sleepwalkers” are pretty dark indeed and which I’m still not sure I’m completely clear on. All told, “The Sleepwalkers” put me in mind of something a newspaper colleague of mine once said about a Saul Bellow novel, “Humboldt’s Gift,” I think it was. It was like something you read for an English class, she said, which to me is true in spades about “Sleepwalkers.” Which isn't meant as a criticism, just a word to the wise to prospective readers.

The writing style and formatting was not working for me in this one. I couldn't get a good idea on whether or not I cared about the narrator or their story. This is definitely on me and not the author, but it was not hooking me into the story. I think the title and cover are cool, and I'm sure others will like this one.

This…was…interesting? The writing style is very unique and the story itself had a lot of intrigue. I felt very disconnected due to the way we were told the story in letters and voice memo transcripts. It didn’t really work for me personally, but it wasn’t bad. Cast of unlikable characters for sure, but an interesting story.

Thanks to the publisher for the gifted ARC

Thank you NetGalley for a free e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

To quote directly from the last page of the book because it captures the overall book well:

"This story, is missing something. You gotta make it clearer what actually happened. And I have to admit, I don't like trafficking. Tragic love- that I do like. But trafficking? Does anyone really care? And even if they do- which I doubt- is it even your story to tell?"

I enjoyed the protagonist, the unreliable nature of her and her paranoia about the hotel owner's, Isabella, intentions on her husband. The strength of the book was really in its character development.

A suspenseful, gothic novel set against the backdrop of a storm-threatened Greek island.

For the middle part I felt swept up, like the sleepwalkers in the novel, I felt like I'd been drugged and swept out to sea- what a clever mirroring of plot with reader experience as the story then comes back together with a satisfying level of clarity by the end so I'm so glad I stuck with this novel, as the payoff is so worth it, but no doubt lose some readers along the way.

Altogether, an enjoyable, intelligently written read.

The fact that I finished this book speaks volumes to its quality as I don't finish books that aren't working for me.

This book was not for me. I had high hopes since I’ve enjoyed her earlier work but it seemed sort of slapdash to me. The letter format was fine but everything seemed poorly edited and then the end sort of fizzles out after hundreds of pages of build up.

I would follow Scarlett Thomas into traffic; am such a fan of her fiction. I think I've been waiting for The Sleepwalkers since the Lily Pascale books, and now, it's arrived and it's so much more elegant and intricate. Shades of Katie Kitamura, but so much darker.

I waited a bit to write this review because I couldn’t decide if I liked this book or not. A few days later and I’m still not entirely sure- it’s a really unique read. The story centers on Evelyn and Richard who are spending their honeymoon on a remote Greek island. The story is entirely told from letters they write to each other and other people (as well as other writings from tertiary characters). I actually liked that writing style, even though it was sometimes jarring to leave a letter mid-thought and move to another voice.

The story was weaved together well and there were a couple good twists. I had forecasted a huge twist that didn’t happen at all. The thing that I struggled with was that the author didn’t help the reader connect the dots all that much- the story was somewhat disjointed and I had to figure out what was going on without much info at some points. I liked the end, though I did feel like I had to suspend my disbelief a bit.

Overall, I really enjoyed the unique writing style of this book but didn’t like having to work so hard to figure out how it fit together. I’m glad I read it but still have trouble deciding how much I actually liked it. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for a free e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Scarlett Thomas' "The Sleepwalkers" is a compelling foray into the realms of suspense and modern gothic, infused with a wit and darkness that captivates from the first page. Set against the backdrop of a storm-threatened Greek island, the novel follows newlyweds Evelyn and Richard as they embark on a honeymoon that quickly spirals into a labyrinth of secrets, lies, and unsettling revelations.

Thomas masterfully constructs an atmosphere brimming with tension and unease. The Villa Rosa, with its sun-soaked doors and an eclectic mix of guests, becomes a character in its own right, setting the stage for the unnerving events that unfold. The narrative deftly alternates between the island's haunting present and the couple's troubled past, weaving a rich tapestry of intrigue and suspense.

The strength of "The Sleepwalkers" lies in its character development and the exploration of complex themes such as relationships, sexuality, and the facades we maintain. Evelyn and Richard, with their secretive pasts and strained dynamics, are portrayed with a depth that makes their journey both fascinating and relatable. The supporting cast, including the enigmatic hotel owner Isabella and the assorted guests, adds layers of mystery and intrigue to the plot.

Thomas’ writing is sharp and engaging, skillfully balancing suspense with moments of dark humor. The novel's exploration of the "sleepwalkers" — a reference to a tragic past event at the hotel — serves as a metaphor for the ways in which people move through life, often unaware or in denial of the truths that lie beneath the surface.

However, the novel's intricate plot and the multitude of characters might be overwhelming for some readers, especially those looking for a more straightforward narrative. The blending of genres, while innovative, can at times feel disjointed, leaving the reader to piece together the various threads.

Content warnings for themes of sexuality and dark secrets are appropriate, and the book will likely appeal most to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers, modern gothic tales, and character-driven mysteries.

In conclusion, Scarlett Thomas' "The Sleepwalkers" is a mesmerizing, thought-provoking novel that skillfully combines elements of suspense, mystery, and dark humor. It's a provocative exploration of the secrets we keep and the lengths we go to protect them, making it a must-read for fans of contemporary thrillers and gothic fiction.

Evelyn and Richard come to a Greek Isle for their honeymoon. They come near the end of the season and when a big storm is about to hit. They stay at Villa Rosa and the owner Isabella seems to lust for Richard while treating Evelyn poorly. This leads to Richard and Evelyn fighting. Isabella keeps talking about the sleepwalkers a couple married 40 years who stayed at resort that he was sleep walking and his wife walked into ocean and they both drowned but the bodies weren't found. I found this very creepy and bizarre?

Evelyn is writing a letter to her husband. Later she returns to resort and it is unclear what happened to her husband. I found this whole book hard to follow and just a bit bizarre as so many things were up in the air or unclear.

At the outset, I was skeptical about whether I would enjoy this particular book, primarily due to the unique styling format. Despite my initial reservations, I found myself immediately and irresistibly drawn into the narrative. The story begins with exploring marital disagreements and conflicts, a theme that never fails to pique my interest due to its inherent complexity and relatability.

The narrative's raw honesty, presented through a first-person perspective, was genuinely appealing. It allowed for an intimate connection with the protagonist, making their experiences feel incredibly personal and real. This unfiltered honesty, combined with the unique perspective, created a compelling and emotionally resonant narrative.

As the storyline progressed, it took unexpected and darker turns. These twists and turns were far more intense than I had initially anticipated, adding a layer of suspense and intrigue that kept me on the edge of my seat. The narrative didn't shy away from exploring the darker aspects of the human experience, which added a level of depth and complexity that I found deeply engaging.

Despite the unexpected intensity and the darker themes, I found this distinct narrative enthralling. The combination of raw honesty, personal perspective, and unexpected twists created a captivating and thought-provoking narrative. It was a narrative that challenged my expectations and kept me engaged from beginning to end. Despite my initial doubts, I thoroughly enjoyed this unique and compelling narrative.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

This was a hard book for me to read, I struggled with the style, it felt too detached for me to get really involved. While parts of it were interesting and held promise, other parts were confusing and disjointed. I pushed through to get to the end but can't say i enjoyed it unfortunately. It has promise and I would try another by the author down the road

Started out Interesting as you follow this husband/wife story on their honeymoon. Isabella is the owner at their vacation spot and seems to have a “thing” for the husband . The term “Sleepwalkers “ refers to a couple who previously stayed and one was sleepwalking while the other followed and subsequently drowned in the process. I will say the story began to get confusing more than half way but I stayed with it until the end . I felt like the story jumped around and was hard to follow after a while but did pick back up with suspense towards the end

4.25 stars

This book is suspenseful, dark, satirical, & eerie. Aka the perfect palette cleanser between humongous fantasy books! It’s the story of Evelyn & Richard’s honeymoon on a Greek island--where things don't go as planned--& is told in one of my favorite ways: via letters & multimedia inclusions (notes, recording transcripts, guest book inscriptions, etc).

The first half of the book is mostly from Evelyn’s perspective, via a letter she’s writing throughout the events to Richard, unsure if she’ll ever send it. She’s a writer, though, & prone to melodrama. Can’t imagine what that’s like. Evelyn hints at tension in their relationship due to something that was revealed at their wedding, but doesn’t specify what it was. This isn't helped by the villa’s manager, Isabella, being *welcoming* to Richard & passive-aggressive to Evelyn. Richard gaslights the crap out of Evelyn about it, of course.

All of this minor drama is compounded as Evelyn starts to learn more about “the sleepwalkers”, a couple who visited the island the year before but tragically drowned during a storm. The story is romantic & suspicious, & apparently took place at this villa, in the very room they’re staying in. But the more Evelyn hears about it, the less things add up, & the tension is ratcheted up as the island starts to shut down due to a dangerous storm approaching.

We switch to Richard writing to Evelyn for most of the last half of the book, & while neither of them are “likable” characters I was 100% Team Evelyn. Richard’s reveal of the cause of their rift shocked me, & while I questioned some of the details, it was a bizarre enough book that I rolled with it anyway.

The dark humor in this was amazing, I loved Evelyn’s tangents about her writing, as well as her perceptions & glamorizations of random people & situations to a degree that flabbergasted Richard. The beautiful setting made a great contrast for the events & made it even more unsettling. If you’re in the mood for something weird I definitely recommend, but beware triggers. Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, & the author for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Seeing this described as “Patricia Highsmith meets White Lotus” is what sold me on wanting to read it!! I really enjoyed it, dark comedy at its finest.

Newlyweds Evelyn and Richard arrive at Villa Rose, a small greek island inn, with a storm coming. Evelyn is wary of the owner, Isabella, and it causes strife in their new marriage.

I wasn’t sure I was going to like this based on the format style that I read about in reviews, but I was hooked immediately. It starts with marital discord and arguments, which is always my thing. I loved the style since we got raw honestly in first narration. There were some serious twists and it got much darker than I expected but I loved this unique read.

“People grasp any chance to minimize their failure, their despair. Offer them something good, on the other hand, and they bite your arm off.”

The Sleepwalkers comes out 4/9.