BOOK BRIEF

Talking to the Dead

Helen Dunmore
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Talking to the Dead

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1998

Book Brief

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Helen Dunmore

Talking to the Dead

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1998
Book Details
Pages

304

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Rural England • 1990s

Theme
Publication Year

1998

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Talking to the Dead by Helen Dunmore explores the complex relationship between two sisters, Nina and Isabel, as they confront their past, familial secrets, and personal trauma. Set against the backdrop of a summer at Isabel's cottage, the narrative reveals deep emotional connections and unresolved tensions, intertwining memory and present reality.

Mysterious

Dark

Melancholic

Contemplative

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

3.8

1,991 ratings

62%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Helen Dunmore's Talking to the Dead is lauded for its atmospheric prose and complex exploration of sibling dynamics. Readers appreciate the psychological depth and tension, while some critics find the plot pacing uneven. The book's vivid character development and eerie undertones receive praise, although its resolution may not satisfy all.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Talking to the Dead?

Readers who relish psychological thrillers with rich character development will enjoy Helen Dunmore's Talking to the Dead. Fans of Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl or Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca may find appeal in its exploration of family secrets and tension.

3.8

1,991 ratings

62%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

304

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Rural England • 1990s

Theme
Publication Year

1998

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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