Amazon.com: Customer reviews: The Castaways: A Novel

Top positive review

Positive reviews›

Serendipity

Wonderful Story

Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2024

I read this book in a day. It is awesome! A delight to read. I couldn't put it down. Love it!

2 people found this helpful

Top critical review

Critical reviews›

wellnessforthewin

Good but not my fav of hers

Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2024

I always feel bad giving low ratings, but I think I’d give this a 3.5 out of 5 stars. There were parts that I did really enjoy, but sometimes I got the characters mixed up - there were so many different people and stories to follow. Around 50% I found myself feeling a little bored and just wanting to find out what caused the accident, and felt like it took way too long for that piece to be revealed. I did not dislike it… but unfortunately it was my least favorite of hers that I’ve read.

2 people found this helpful

8,182 total ratings, 549 with reviews

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From the United States

Serendipity

Wonderful Story

Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2024

Verified Purchase

I read this book in a day. It is awesome! A delight to read. I couldn't put it down. Love it!

2 people found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

Good story, grieving process, some flawed characters.

Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2018

Verified Purchase

I just finished this book and I did like it . I do enjoy how this author writes, very clean and not too wordy. I like that she is able explain the scenery, the weather the feeling of any one of the characters without going on and on for pages. The main characters in this book, eight best friends, were well developed and you got to know the type of person, their personality and their flaws all in one. And some were very sad, self centered individuals. They are all trying to come to over come their grief in the loss of one of the couples due to a drowning who leave behind 7 year old twins. And they all have secrets. It was a good read, but toward the end I do believe it dragged on to me and could of been wrapped up in under the 420 pages. But I do enjoy her writing. I'll continue reading her other books. Her stories do flow nicely.

16 people found this helpful

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Laurie Vierthaler

The Castaways was intriguing because of the vast personalitys portrayed!

Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2024

Verified Purchase

I favor Elin Hilderbrand’s writing and versatility!

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wellnessforthewin

Good but not my fav of hers

Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2024

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2 people found this helpful

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tia

page turner. hard to put down

Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2024

Verified Purchase

I loved how the characters are explained in such detail they come to life as if you had known them. Another 5 star for Elin Hilderbrand

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Meredith Schorr

my first book from author but not my last

Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2013

Verified Purchase

This was my first Elin Hilderbrand novel and I definitely enjoyed the read. The story centers around a group of 4 couples, who are best friends, in the aftermath of the death of one couple in a boating accident. The story is told from the perspective of each surviving member. As I said before, I really liked it but wow, what a [...] show! You think you are reading about 8 ordinary, albeit somewhat wealthy, people but behind closed doors, there were hidden desires, illicit affairs, drug abuse, post traumatic stress, jealousy - you name it. There was not a single character in this book that I didn't like, although I would say my least favorite was actually the female victim. We didn't see the story through her perspective since she was dead but from the back story told by everyone else, she just seemed too perfect to me. Otherwise, everyone was interestingly flawed and the character development was great. I think my only complaint was that there was sometimes too much back story for my liking. I know the author used flashbacks to allow the readers to better connect with the characters but there were times when I ended up skimming paragraphs.

A good read and I will definitely read more from the author!

11 people found this helpful

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Connie W.

Love The People In This Story

Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2024

Verified Purchase

A novel that delivers big to touch emotions, and gives us the opportunity to view human relationships in an honest way. Loved how the story kept you rooting for all the characters to become the best version of themselves.

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Amazon Customer

HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVES

Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2023

Verified Purchase

I ACTUALLY LIKED IT. LOTS OF CHARACTERS, SO I HAD TO HAVE MY USUAL "CHEAT SHEET" NEXT TO ME.
YEAH, THE PEOPLE ARE SHALLOW, RICH, BUT SOMETIMES IT'S JUST FUN TO LAUGH AT THEM AND THEIR DISASTERS. I'VE BEEN TO NANTUCKET ISLAND MANY TIMES. I'D LOVE TO LIVE THERE YEAR ROUND, JUST LIKE THESE CRAZIES DID. NOT A BAD READ IN A PINCH. HAVE A GOOD LAUGH AT LEAST WHILE YOU GET A TOUR OF THE ISLAND AND MAYBE ONE DAY YOU'LL WIND UP THERE FOR A DAY OR TWO.

4 people found this helpful

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