Unraveling Oliver

Never have I read a book where I disliked the main character so much. Oliver is, frankly, a piece of $&*@. Despite this loathing, I loved the book. The story unfolds through the eyes of Oliver and a few other characters. I usually don't like multiple points of view but in this novel, it works. I could not stop reading. Interestingly, the only viewpoint we don't ever get is the one of Alice, Oliver's wife.
I would not classify this novel as suspenseful or as a mystery, it's more of a character study. Through the eyes of other people and Oliver himself, we get a deep insight into why he is the way he is. I found it very interesting reading about Oliver's life and his thinking processes. It would be easy to think that the author wants us to feel sorry for Oliver but at the same time, you know it's not the reaction anyone would have. I did not feel any sympathy for Oliver at all...
A very good novel that I enjoyed reading much more than I thought I would.

Liz Nugent had my full attention right from the first chilling sentence. Unraveling Oliver is a fast-paced novel that kept me eagerly flipping the pages in order to uncover all that I could about Oliver Ryan. This is one of those compulsive books that grabs a reader and makes it impossible to put down until you’ve devoured every word.

The story is told in alternating chapters from the perspectives of different characters who knew Oliver, as well as from Oliver himself. This just made the story that much more appealing and addictive. With each passing chapter, I was pulled deeper into Oliver’s story through the words and memories of his friends, acquaintances, and neighbors. As soon as one chapter would end, I was compelled to read another, and another.

I am always drawn to books that deal with human nature and the human psyche. Oliver seemed to have it all. He was an established and successful author who had been married to his wife for over twenty years. To the outside world, Oliver Ryan’s life would appear to be normal, comfortable, and fruitful. What would provoke a seemingly normal man to act out so violently towards his wife? Did he just snap? Was this violent outburst truly out of character for him, or were his true colors finally showing themselves? I had to find out.

With glimpses into Oliver’s past, the author allows the reader to witness Oliver in various stages of his life. We get to see him as a child, a young adult, and as a man trying to make his way in the world. Through his memories and those of the other characters, we get a better understanding of Oliver’s life and what made him tick. Liz Nugent did a fabulous job of creating Oliver and writing his story. There were even times when I actually felt sorry for Oliver. These times didn’t last long, and I certainly couldn’t justify his heinous actions, but I wondered if things could have been different for him.

Unraveling Oliver is a fascinating, impeccably written story that is the true definition of a page-turner. Liz Nugent is an author who is definitely on my radar. I am looking forward to reading more by her in the near future.

*4.5 Stars

This domestic noir thriller is well-written, but I found it very sad. It starts with the following paragraph: "I expected more of a reaction the first time I hit her. She just lay on the floor holding her jaw. Staring at me. Silent. She didn't even seem to be surprised.", which sets the pace for the whole story. Little by little, we learn why Oliver (the husband) acted this way.

Definitely a unique and intriguing story. It takes place over the span of 40 years and gives multiple person POV’s to help understand aka unravel why Oliver turned into the man he was and why he committed this atrocious act on his wife. There were lots of twists and turns and while it wasn’t quite what I expected from the opening line, I enjoyed it.

I enjoyed this book and found it unusual and unlike any book I have read. It is a good story and easy to read and understand but it is neither a murder mystery, nor a psychological thriller or a whodunit. Despite claims to the contrary it does not deal with a sociopath’s development nor does it explain why Oliver has done what he did.
The story is interesting and the approach is original and unique in that there is no doubt about what crime was committed nor who was the perpetrator. However as a psychologist I found myself finding fault with the author’s portrayal of Oliver as a sociopath and the claims of others that the story sheds light on why he became this way. Yes he is evil and he shows some of the symptoms of sociopathy but he is lacking many aspects of this disorder. He lies and is manipulative and uncaring at times, but unlike a true sociopath he has friends, can be emotional and sensitive to other people’s feelings and is ashamed about what he has done. Contrary to what some readers have suggested there is little evidence from his childhood that his early behaviours were indicative of the sociopath disorder.
Nevertheless this is an interesting story, an unusual approach and an intriguing view about evil and the people who commit dreadful crimes. Scientists have not determined the roles of nature versus nurture leading to the sociopathic personality, so ignore this aspect of Unraveling Oliver and read the story for what it is and forget the claim that it deals with the development of this disorder.

I couldn’t think of a better title for this book. It explains perfectly what this story is about. Unraveling Oliver. Like stated in the blurb the story starts off with Oliver delivering a blow to his wife Alice. The story then proceeds to examine Oliver through the perspective of friends, neighbours and acquaintances. Each character wondering if they had missed some small detail that explains Oliver’s attack on Alice.

I was a little nervous about reading a book told by multiple perspectives. Sometimes I find that authors struggle to have individual voices for each and every character. However, in this case I thought it was perfectly done. The cast of characters were intriguing. Each character saw a different side of Oliver and only by putting them all together could you truly unravel Oliver. Author, Liz Nugent, did an exceptional job of pacing out how his story unfolds. Perspective by perspective we get little glimmers of insight into who Oliver really is.. In the beginning I thought it was going to be a very dark and twisty tale. While it is a darker story I found that the “twists” became too predictable.

Overall, I was really impressed with the writing. It was vivid and captured your attention from the very first line. Even when things got predictable I couldn’t put the book down. Such a great debut novel by Nugent. I look forward to reading more of her work!

I had zero expectations going into Unraveling Oliver. To be honest, I didn’t even know what it was about by the time I picked it up (had requested a copy on NetGalley months before). Unraveling Oliver is the perfect title as the deeper you dig into the story, the more Liz Nugent reveals about Oliver.

I was pleasantly surprised by how hooked I was on figuring out Oliver. There are a lot of twists and turns that you won’t see coming. The ending really ties everything together beautifully. Unraveling Oliver was a really great effort – you won’t be able to put it down!

Oliver and Alice seemingly live a charmed life but all is not as it seems and depending on who’s viewpoiint Alice is only the most recent victim. The story is laid out in narratives from different characters during key episodes in Oliver’s life. As we ‘unravel’ the stories told, we come to understand that Oliver too has been victim to a series of events both within and beyond his power. Events that have led his life in this trajectory of sociopathic behaviour. From the opening first paragraph to the final epilogue the reader is drawn in to a story of tragic circumstances and lonliness , brilliantly executed in a dark and atmospheric prose.

An intriguing read, although not as much of as a "thriller" as I was anticipating. I loved the mystery behind the characters and moving between points of view with the characters. Oliver is a mysterious and complicated person who destroys many of the lives he comes in contact with. Alice is a gentle patience wife but seems too passive and naive.

I thought the writing style and character development were spot on. I have nothing to complain about for context, writing style and narrative. "Unraveling Oliver" checks a lot of boxes in my opinion; the story fell just short of deserving a five star in my opinion. Maybe the shortfall was just in my expectations of how complex and frightening this novel might be. Oliver was a complicated horrible person who lacked empathy but wasn't quite the psychotic individual I was expecting. Oliver's violence also seemed out of place. I understand that the entire story leads up to his irrational outburst, but my understanding is that an extremely violent outburst is not usually completely out of character for the people who do those sorts of violent acts (in this I could be entirely incorrect).

If you enjoy a good complicated plot with twists and turns, I would definitely recommend this book to you! I also want to thank NetGalley and the Publisher for a copy of "Unraveling Oliver" to read and review.

Thank you to Simon & Shuster Canada for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

So first off I don't think that I would have picked up this book on my own. After receiving an e-mail from Simon & Schuster to request a copy from NetGalley, I went ahead and checked out the summary of Unravelling Oliver and decided it seemed intriguing. Just that first sentence captured my attention and had me curious as to the events leading up to Oliver's revelation.
The book is told from the perspective of many characters, from Oliver's wife Alice to neighbours and friends stemming back to his time at a school for boys. In the beginning I was appalled by the lack of emotion exhibited by Oliver after such an act of violence but slowly as the story was told his motivations and character flaws began to unravel before our eyes, hence Unravelling Oliver is a very appropriate title. It brings to question the theory of nurture vs nature. Was this always who Oliver was going to be or did the situation of his upbringing shape his decisions and mold him into the man he became. I found myself being torn between feeling sorry for Oliver and thinking that he was a total monster.
From that first sentence " I expected more of a reaction the first time I hit her" the story captivated me and didn't relent till I turned the very last page. A matter of hours from start to finish, that left a lasting impression on me, and has me still thinking of reaching out to hug a little lost boy in the hopes that small human connection would have saved him a lifetime of regret.

This book was a slow start for me, I wasn't immediately captured despite the dramatic opening. But once I got into it and became used to the different voices/perspectives, things sped up and I was able to finish reading more quickly. As others have pointed out, each chapter is another character's perspective on the main character Oliver after the "incident". I love the gentle reveal and meting out of key details here and there (as opposed to some authors who dump a big reveal on you at the end, I hate that!). Naturally, I wasn't a fan of Oliver but I don't think anyone is or should be -- and that's ok, you don't have to like him. It's not *really* about him though, is it? I saw it more about how interconnected people's lives are and how we chose to react to various situations presented to us over time.

A one-sitting read. Loved this! For those who liked ‘gone girl’

What an amazing book. So happy to have been able to help out. First time author for me but definitely not the last.

A special thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Liz Nugent's dark and compelling thriller opens with the perfect hook: "I expected more of a reaction the first time I hit her." Told from multiple points, Nugent's debut is a chilling exploration into the nature of evil.

Oliver Ryan is a handsome, charismatic, and successful children's author. He is married to Alice, who illustrates his award-winning books. She is a devoted wife, and their life is one of envy and privilege until one evening, Oliver knocks her into unconsciousness and beats her into a coma hovering between life and death.

Those who know the couple are shocked and are trying to understand what could have driven Oliver to attack his wife so savagely. With each chapter, the story unfolds, and the layers of Oliver's character are peeled away to reveal his manipulation, deception, and shame.

Nugent has a fresh approach to this genre—there is no question of whodunit, and there is no doubt as to what the crime was. Instead she takes the reader on a ride to figure out what could have driven someone to commit such a horrific act. For a debut, this is a solid effort, and I can't wait to see what Nugent writes next.

Very enjoyable book. Throughout this book, we get a glimpse of what caused Oliver to snap, and then beat his wife. Each person who had co tact with Oliver during his life, gave I formation to help us see what happened; how a normal person can possibly become a wife beater. Although a little confusing g in the beginning, it is an excellent read.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for providing me with an e-copy of Unraveling Oliver by Liz Nugent in exchange for an honest review. The story begins with Oliver Ryan, a best-selling children's author, violently beating his wife, who is also the illustrator of his books. From that point on, the novel goes back in time. Each chapter is narrated by a different person, each involved in the life of Oliver. Unraveling Oliver peels back the layers of Oliver's life, leading up to the domestic violence, revealing how his life brought him to sink to such a level.. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like reading psychological suspense. There is much to enjoy here. A captivating read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free, electronic ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
“Unraveling Oliver” by Liz Nugent is one hell of a gripping tale.
Oliver Ryan is an author of children’s books, and he lives a seemingly storybook life himself, married to the quiet and demure Alice, his illustrator. One night it all changes, when Oliver beats Alice into unconsciousness. As Alice struggles to heal, we learn the truth about the real Oliver, and what may have triggered him to perform such a violent act.
This novel is told from the perspectives of many people. Alice, Oliver (of course), and then several of their friends, neighbours and family members. Although the cast of narrators is multitudinous, these alternating storylines contribute to the story’s realistic and haunting setting. A reader gets to hear from not only Oliver and Alice, but other outside parties, contributing to a deep understanding of what makes a person (and a husband, in this case) tick.
I loved everything about this book. The storyline was gripping and addictive, the characters were likable (well, not Oliver) and honest, and I held a deeply vested interest in how Alice would fair. (I loved Alice’s brother Eugene most of all!).
The ending was beautifully appropriate, providing justice and a definitive ending for all those involved. This novel is a psychological treat- it really breaks down the psyche of a seemingly normal man.
There is nothing about this novel I didn’t like and I would recommend it highly. I have never heard of Liz Nugent before and I can promise you that I will keep an eye out for anything else she pens! A fantastic psychological profile of a sociopath who, on the surface, seems handsome and successful. Definitely a gripping read!

This is a good story. Thank you to Simon and Schuster publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and rate this.

Oliver is not a nice man and the story starts with him beating his wife Alice into a coma. Awful topic and yet I liked how the author revealed Oliver and Alice to us, layer upon layer, through friends and loved ones eyes. The chapters are narrated by different people and slowly reveal what lead to the opening trauma. I liked all the supporting characters and I liked how the author laid out the story line. I even had small moments of empathy for Oliver, hard to do considering what happened in chapter one!

The flow between time and events was smooth and the character voices believable. I particularly was impressed with the chapter by Eugene.

This book is not a thriller in the sense that we already know what happened and who did it, however, it is a compelling read and I have been thinking of the ending, long after being done reading. A sign of a good book.

What a great read! Do not start this book until you have a chunk of time free. Nobody got dinner at my house because I kept telling myself, “Just one more chapter”. And, thanks to the layered and complex characters leading me through their lives, dangling hints and clues along the way, I gobbled it up in one sitting. The characters were credible and likeable. You cared about them all.. Enjoy!

Amazing book. The story starts with Oliver beating his wife into a coma. It then goes back into his life (he did have a tragic childhood). Many people comment on him and how he related to others and lived his life. A very good book with an excellent ending. Thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schustet and the Author for allowing me to read and review this book.