I've had this book saved for 2 years now, and the thing is, I only save books that really resonate with me, but by the time I get around to reading them, I've often forgotten why I saved them in the first place - it's like a pleasant surprise when I finally get to it!
Hello from the past, which, for me, is like the future that's been saving me books. And this year, I finally started reading 'No One Will Be Bored' by Katerine Rosenfield, and I had no idea why I'd saved it. It's not that the book was terrible, it's just... it was a bit too harsh, especially at the beginning. I was reading with a look of utter shock on my face and all I wanted to do was ask myself from the past, why I'd even saved this book in the first place. It's just not my usual reading style, what's going on?
But I was on a road trip with nothing to do, so I gave the book a chance and kept reading.
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Just to give you an idea, here's a brief summary of the book
No One Will Be Bored. Katerine RosenfieldIt's not exactly the kind of book that grabs you from the start, is it?And let's be honest, there are already so many books about murders in small towns. It's no secret that murders happen everywhere, from drunken brawls to murders of passion, and we can't forget about premeditated murders.
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The main thing to remember is that the story takes place in the small town of Copper Falls, where people don't take kindly to outsiders, they're just ordinary working-class folks who love their beer, and they live by the principle of 'what will people say.' And the worst part is, once people decide something and label you, you can't change it. Because there are so many of them, and they all think the same way, and you're just one person against them, and you can't prove anything to anyone. Honestly, the sense of hopelessness that comes with that background just depressed me. It was already autumn, and the weather was gloomy and sad, and then I had this book with such an unpleasant tone. But it wasn't for nothing. The book made me think! And if I were a resident of Copper Falls and the town had chosen me as the scapegoat, I would've just moved away. From everything I read, there was nothing, and it's better to leave than to stay in a town that's not developing and has such narrow-minded people.
No One Will Be Bored. Katerine RosenfieldBut, luckily for me, the main character, Lizzy Wellett, wasn't me. Her 'crime' was that her father was the boss of the dump. So, from birth, she was already labeled as the girl from the dump. Nobody cared about who she really was. The associations with garbage followed her throughout her life.
No one will get bored with her. Kate RosenfieldWhen I heard the news about Lizzy getting killed, I thought it might change the way the small-town busybodies in Copper Falls thought about her. But nope. People's hypocrisy is something I still encounter to this day. They'll put on a pious face, attend church, remember that 'the dead are either good or nothing,' but deep down, they're just waiting to dish out some dirt about the deceased. That's the kind of hypocrisy I'm still dealing with. The ugly human nature.
No one will get bored with her. Kate RosenfieldWhat's interesting is that the opposite of this low humanity is Ian Bird, a police detective from a bigger city, who deals with people like this, talks to them about Lizzy, about how she was and how she lived. And that's really striking. It's a clash of two worlds and it really highlights the difference between people with different psychologies.
If I wasn't convinced that small towns stifle your thinking before, this book has made me a believer. Through the characters, you see the difference between people from different worlds.
I also like that the detective didn't listen to the townspeople and form his own opinion about Lizzy.
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The Richardsons also play a significant role in the book - a wealthy family from a wealthy city who made a mess, got away with it, and are still living life on the edge, spending the money they stole. They're the opposite of Lizzy and her husband. Their lives and psychologies are completely different, and that's also interesting.
No one will get bored with her. Kate RosenfieldIt's also fascinating to read about how Detective Bird follows the trail, pieces together the puzzle, and tries to understand what Lizzy was really like and what happened to her. The information is given in bits and pieces, step by step - and that's exactly the kind of intrigue I love.
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There are also some pretty intense moments in the book when you're sitting there, wondering what's going to happen next, and it keeps you on the edge of your seat. Oh man, it was something else! When you read the book, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.
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Plus, there's one twist that completely flips your perspective on its head. It's a great and unexpected turn. And you'll never guess what it's connected to.
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So, are you already itching to download this book?
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You know why you should read 'No one will get bored with her' by Kate Rosenfield? Because it raises a lot of important issues. The author doesn't just focus on the bad people who lived in Copper Falls and how they decided Lizzy was bad. No. The author is a smart cookie and raises topics that need to be discussed and not swept under the rug!
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For example:
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Domestic violence and victim-blaming - a topic that's all too relevant. Women are beaten and killed every day, and it's time we talk about it to save lives.
You won't be bored by this. Cat RoefenfeldBy the way, have you ever stopped to think about the victims? There's something you might not have considered, but it's always worth remembering.
You won't be bored by this. Cat RoefenfeldDomestic violence is a huge issue in small towns and villages, where there's often a lack of men to choose from. If you're not planning to move, you're stuck with what you've got, and that's not always a good thing. You might as well choose the lesser of two evils - the best of a bad bunch.
Take, for example, why even the 'best' option can be terrible. Let's be real, nobody's expecting perfection - we just need to understand that behind a charming facade, there can be hidden cruelty and abuse.
You won't be bored by this. Cat Roefenfeld\xa0
Domestic violence is often associated with people who have grown up with a sense of entitlement, thinking that they're beautiful, wealthy, and can get away with anything. If they do make a mistake, they can just pay their way out of it. It's not like they're held accountable for their actions.
These people are often contrasted with someone like Lizzy, who struggled to make ends meet and had to rely on her father to hunt for food just to put food on the table.
You won't be bored by this. Cat RoefenfeldAnd then there's the moral posturing of some of these wealthy individuals - it's a whole different story. When I read about Adrienne's actions, I was genuinely horrified. Although, to be fair, I think it's still not as bad as some of the other things people have done.
You won't be bored by this. Cat RoefenfeldBut let's be real - poor people who have nothing to lose can be just as cruel and violent because they've got nothing to lose. That's why most crimes are committed by people who are homeless, poor, drug addicts, alcoholics, and so on.
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Domestic violence is also linked to the fact that wealthy people can afford to look younger. Even men can use creams and dyes to look younger, although that's not exactly something you'd see in small towns and villages. It's seen as unmanly to take care of your appearance, but that's not true. Taking care of your health and appearance is normal, regardless of your gender.
No one will get bored with her. Kate RosenfieldNo one will get bored with her. Kate RosenfieldI've got to say, the author's observations about girls and their behavior on social media really hit home. I mean, who hasn't made similar conclusions about the girls they went to high school with?
No one will get bored with her. Kate RosenfieldNo one will get bored with her. Kate RosenfieldAnd, okay, this might not be the most important point, but it's something to think about. The girl who got bullied and wasn't wanted as a friend was a daydreamer, because that's what was left for her.
No one will get bored with her. Kate RosenfieldHonestly, I'm not disappointed, and I'm glad my past self saved this book for me. It was a quick read because it was so interesting, and I've got to say, I really enjoyed it. The book itself isn't huge, but it's definitely worth reading, even with some of the darker and harsher moments. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes a good story 😉