Look Closer By: David Ellis Book Review

Introduction: The title A Thrilling Ride Through the Dark Corners of the Mind was found during the research on the given topic.

Look Closer by David Ellis is one of the perfect books in the psychological thriller genre that will provide the reader with quite an enthralling experience as the author plunges the readers into the world of twisted and disturbed characters. As usual, Ellis built up an entangled plot and a suspenseful and convincing portrayal of the story, which makes the readers doubt until the last chapters. This novel can be classified not only as a crime and mystery, but a work that represents different aspects of human vices revealing the motives of cynicism, selfishness, and passion.

This paper will seek to analyze and depict the several ways through which Look Closer is a thrilling novel. Plot and characters, themes, the manner and method of telling the story, and how the novel has affected readers. this is where one will understand why Look Closer is a must-read for lovers of psychological thrillers and crime novels.

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Plot Overview: The Wicked Webs of LIES

Look Closer opens with what seems like a straightforward mystery: the murder of a female whose remains were found in a prosperous area of a Chicago suburb. the reader realizes that everything is not really what it seems to be as the story progresses. Simon and Vicky are the main characters in the novel, and they appear to be the perfect couple, albeit they have a hidden facet. Simon, a law professor, and Vicky, a successful psychologist, here they are not only having problems in their marital life but also in their criminal activities they are involved than just murder.

With the use of complex narratives that jump from one timeline to another Ellis effectively depicts multiple viewpoints that show how cunningly the characters have lied. The story is full of unexpected turns and surprises and the readers are left guessing what is going on most of the time. This is probably one of the most effective features of the novel as Ellis manages to keep the suspense while revealing details of the murder at the same time.

Character Development: Mainly Imperfect and Compound

The character growth within the Look Closer is one of the most attractive factors about the production. This is by coming up with a cast of complex characters with imperfections, whose intra-and-interpersonal goals and surreptitious motives are brought out vividly. Simon, the protagonist, for example, is an interesting character. Initially, the audience is introduced to a seemingly well-mannered and wise man, through the course of the story, one gets to know his evil facet. He is charming and engaging although the character is an obsessive-compulsive who is a master manipulator.

Vicky, the wife to Simon is also an interesting character that is developed all through the film. She is empowered and stands for herself, though her character being involved in the central storyline makes her character questionable for her shady intentions and willingness to go to the extent of her safety. The relationship between the two characters, Simon and Vicky, is among some of the many highlighted in the novel, and Ellis fits very well in the way he portrays the struggle for power within this aspect.

The roles which consist of all the other characters, such as the detectives investigating the murder, and all the characters related to Simon and Vicky, are also very developed. All the characters in the novel play their part in bringing the build-up of the mysterious and enigmatic aspect of the story.

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Themes: How they are related: Deception, Obsession, and the Human Psyche

You can find several motifs that are typical for psychological thrillers in Look Closer with some significant difference which is the treatment of issues by Ellis. Of all topics, there is one that is dominant and that is deception and it is deception in all aspects of the characters’ lives, including the characters’ perceptions of themselves and of others. The key issue that is revealed in the novel and provokes the reader’s thoughts is the consideration of what is real, and what is an illusion, in the course of the narration, as well as in one’s life.

Another theme recognizable in the play is obsession, which relates to Simon’s character most of the time. He is power-hungry and so envious; the need he has to have things under control and in order forms the basis of the story. Ellis explains how obsession makes a person and the people around him or her have a wrong perception of the world and end up damaging themselves and their environment.

The human mind is also one of the prominent subjects of Look Closer as well. Ellis examines the evil and the beast within human beings as well as their ability to deceive themselves. The main actions and reactions or even the decisions made by the characters are based on their wants, needs, fears, and even anxieties; hence it is as much a psychological novel as a thriller novel.

Narrative Style: As one of the most respected film directors, he received the epithet of the Master of Suspense.

The analysis lies in the fact that the author, David Ellis, successfully uses the narrative style in Look Closer that I am going to describe below. He calculates many scenarios with the viewpoints of different characters so the readers can get a wide perception of the events and actions of the characters. Such an approach adds another layer to the story and improves tension: the readers permanently question their assumptions.

Ellis also does not write big descriptions about events, she is concise and her main objective is to create suspense and keep the tension high so that the book moves at a fast pace. The chapters are also short and where each chapter ends with an element of suspense that will make the reader flip to the next page. This pacing is important in a thriller and Ellis gets this aspect right to match the energy of the movie all through.

Arguably one of the brightest features of Ellis’s writing is the ultra sophistication of his technical writing style. The action is highly twisty in Look Closer, but unlike some fellow writers, Ellis doesn’t make it overly complex to the extent that one could lose track of what is going on in a story. This balance puts the readers in a position where they can understand the whole story being presented without necessarily being overworked by the deep and intricate details in the plot.

Strengths: Spinning, Speed, and Intrapsychic Dimension

This paper points out that Look Closer has several advantages that make it to be among the best thriller. First of all, let us consider the twists. Ellis is unpredictable and indeed taints readers with several surprises that will make them stay on the edge of their seats until the end. These are not plot twists per se done merely to provocative purposes but rather very strategic and essential to the plot thereby making them very appealing.

This is because, unlike other novels that are fast-paced, this novel has been well-planned in terms of speed. A fast pace dominates the novel by Ellis who does not leave a single moment for the readers to get bored. The chapters are short, the characters’ viewpoints are changing, and there are secrets to unveil which keep the story going.

Last but not least there is a psychological element that differentiates the novel from being just another thriller. There is great attention paid to the inner world of the show’s main characters: their aims, their phobias, and their vices. The psychological aspect of the novel enriches it and makes it more than a plot that revolves around the who-did-it scenario. They are the portrayal of human nature, people’s desire to protect their selves, and, in particular, their secrets.

Criticisms: They provide an example of Complexity and Character Sympathy.

In any case, Look Closer is a great thriller but like it is with most novels, there are possible criticisms about it. There is one concern that the readers might have, and that is the fact that this novel has a rather complicated plot. Multiple timelines, multiple narrators, and twists may also confuse the reader and those of them who are not used to such an approach may have a problem with following the story. However, for those fans, who like complicated stories and who like to think about clues during the game, it will be a bonus.

A final possible criticism of these films is the deficiency of the number of likable characters. The protagonists and also other characters in Look Closer are not outstanding in any way and the majority of them are shady and involved in some form of vice. On the plus side, it certainly contributes to the psychological realism of the novel; of course, some audiences will possibly find it hard to identify with – let alone support – the main characters. However, it is also this lack of sympathy that is one of the reasons why the novel is so fascinating – Ellis does not shy away from painting his characters in the least favorable light.

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Impact: A Thought-Provoking Thriller

As Look Closer suggests it is not only an entertaining show but it does much more. Therefore, the novel makes the readers analyze and discuss such as deception, obsession, and the human mind. It makes readers think whether all that they are seeing is a reality or just an illusion that has been well put up.

Similarly, Look Closer can be also considered rather negative, as its message dwells upon the fact that the line between truth and illusion can be easily crossed. This kind of disquiet after reading the book is probably more a testament to Ellis’s talent as a writer – he can provide not only fear and excitement but also the things with which to ponder.

Conclusion: This is a perfect read for anyone who can’t get enough of thrilling movies and shows.

Some people who read the novel identified it as Look Closer by David Ellis as an excellent example of a psychological thriller. The novel can be characterized by its complex storyline, clear and diverse characters, and profound focus on the problem of related psychological issues, which makes it an interesting and thought-provoking book. The element of suspense and the ability to provide a shocking bio twist creates interest from cover to cover and makes Look Closer a book readers should never miss.

Thus, even such aspects as a convoluted plot and the protagonists who are not particularly heroic may be considered as advantages of the novel. Those viewers who are interested in character development as well as in engaging plots of complicated criminal investigations and a story that blurs the usually clear lines between truth and falsehood will not be let down by Look Closer.

In conclusion, Look Closer is not only a crime story but also a story of people and their psychological complexities. It is one of the few books where one can feel the author’s thoughts pushing the reader to think about reality and what it means when one can manipulate it.

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