The Retreat by Benjamin Compson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
3.5 stars
Max decides to attend a remote meditation retreat in hopes of regaining some peace after a rough couple of months. The idyllic setting in the French countryside seems like the perfect place to make a fresh start. That is, until Max meets the staff, who seem unsettling. Then he meets the Teacher, who is even more intense. As things seem more and more shady, Max seems to be the only one concerned. Is it all in his head? Or is something more sinister going on?
The premise of the book is very promising, and it hops right into the action. The book was also a pretty easy, quick read, I think I finished it in three days or so, sailing through the story, which kept my interest to the very end. Max was an interesting character because it wasn't clear how reliable of a narrator he was. So throughout the book, you're trying to decide what's in his head and what isn't.
And, OH THAT END! Phew! It's very good!
But I think the writing could use some more editing. It could be a bit repetitive at times, and there were a lot of exclamation points! Like everywhere! It was a little distracting! I think you get my point.
But for a first impression, the author did fairly well. I'd read another from them. And I'd also recommend this one. It's a nice, if slightly creepy, foray into the French countryside.
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