Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane

Published: 2003
Pages: 369
Genre: Mystery/Thriller

In 1954, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels visits Shutter Island, home to Ashecliffe Hospital for the Criminally Insane, with his new partner Chuck Aule. They've been sent to investigate the escape of Rachel Solando, a dangerous murderess. As they discover more and more disturbing information surrounding this institution, it becomes clear that nothing at Ashecliffe is remotely what it seems.

Wow. I still (even after previously seeing the movie) cannot wrap my mind around this shocking ending. This is certainly the biggest twist in a novel that I've read in my entire life, and I'm dying to tell you what happens. But, you'll have to read it for yourself. And let me tell you - you're going to be blown away.

The whole atmosphere of Shutter Island is creepy, eerie and disturbing. I think that seeing the movie before reading the book had a huge impact on me. I've never experienced this before - I was able to remember each scene in my head while I was reading and watch it unfold. If you're one of those people who are frustrated when movie producers change too much of the story, I recommend Shutter Island to you. The movie was practically identical to the novel, often right down to the same words spoken by the same characters.

But this is a book review, so I shall continue with my thoughts! Dennis Lehane's writing wasn't bad at all, but it's nothing to get excited over either. I have to admit that I was reading extremely fast and not fully absorbing all his words. (I was anticipating the ending too much for my own good!) But like I said before, his descriptions weren't that effective on me simply because I've seen the movie. If I didn't see the movie before I read the book, I'm not sure the novel would have had the same effect on me.

Recommendation: This book should be read by everyone, even if you're not a mystery or thriller lover. I say this purely because of the ending. I can't get over it! It's incredible and unlike anything I've ever read. I wouldn't call this a literary masterpiece by any means, but you honestly forget about Lehane's flaws once you finish the last page.

As an ending to this post, I'd like to include a quote that I found on the back of the novel from Washington Post Book World that sums up this book pretty well:

"Shutter Island...is brilliantly conceived and executed...Its shocking outcome kept me awake deep into the night as I began to grasp what the author had done to my innocent mind."