Under the Bridge

De: Rebecca Godfrey

Narrado por: Rebecca Godfrey, Erin Moon, Mary Gaitskill - introduction

Duración: 14 h y 13 m

Resumen del Editor

Now a Hulu limited series starring Riley Keough and Lily Gladstone.

“A swift, harrowing classic perfect for these unnerving times.” (Jenny Offill, author of Dept. of Speculation)

One moonlit night, 14-year-old Reena Virk went to join friends at a party and never returned home. In this “tour de force of crime reportage” (Kirkus Reviews), acclaimed author Rebecca Godfrey takes us into the hidden world of the seven teenage girls - and boy - accused of a savage murder. As she follows the investigation and trials, Godfrey reveals the startling truth about the unlikely killers. Laced with lyricism and insight, Under the Bridge is an unforgettable look at a haunting modern tragedy.

©2005 Rebecca Godfrey (P)2019 Audible, Inc.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"With a gripping journalistic style, novelist Godfrey (The Torn Skirt) recounts the story behind a horrific murder in a small British Columbia town. One November night in 1997, 14-year-old Reena Virk was savagely beaten and drowned under a waterway bridge. From a small East Indian community, Reena was alienated from her family and spent her time desperately trying to find a place with a tough crowd of teenagers, several of whom had been in trouble with the law. But one of the girls held a grudge against her, and Reena apparently was lured to her violent end by a promise of friendship. Seven girls and one boy initially were charged with assault. Two were convicted of murder: Warren Glowatski, now serving a life sentence, and Kelly Ellard, who was found guilty in 2005 after three trials. Godfrey is careful not to make judgments, but her informed writing reveals a remorseful Warren, an unrepentant Kelly (who denies her guilt) and other psychologically damaged members of the group, sharply etched, whose casual brutality, enabled by drug use, led to a brutal and senseless death. Godfrey's account contains some recreated dialogue but overall is meticulously researched and harrowing to read." -- Publishers' Weekly

"Godfrey approaches a brutal crime in an unlikely spot the way a novelist would, by tracing, first of all, how the victim and persecutors came to be in that place, through all the tangled byroads of families seeking a better life. In November 1997, the body of a 14-year-old girl, whose family had emigrated from India, was found in the waters off Victoria Island in British Columbia. The victim, Reena Virk, had been beaten to death. Seven girls and one boy, all high-schoolers, were charged with the crime. Godfrey follows the case from discovery through verdict at trial, seeking to answer the one question the trial testimony could not: Why did a gang of mostly well-off teens commit casual murder? Her interviews with all the principals, ranging from the police scuba team that found the body through prosecution and defense attorneys, suburban families, teachers, and the accused themselves, bring this case disturbingly alive." -- Connie Fletcher, Booklist

The accents are not needed

I want to really like the book. The story itself is inviting. The narrative is terrible. The bad valley-girl accents to the terrible Indian accents take away from the story. It seems as though an 8th grade girl is reading.

True Crime with depth of character

True Crime that reads more like a novel. Characters are fully formed. You can tell the author was fully committed to exploring the complexities of the case. Narration was one of the best I’ve heard in a long time.

Excellent!

Never heard of this until I saw it in Audible. Strong story w/ shocking events .. we ell written AND performed

Fantastic

A flawless account of a devastating story. And the courtroom scene during the second trial is everything I’ve ever wanted in entertainment. Love this book, love the author, loved her as narrator. I also feel like I know Reena now. She’s a fully dimensional and nuanced person, not just your typical “girl-next-door-everyone-loved-her-smile” type of “Aw shucks”-ness I normally equate with innocent victims in true crime stories such as these. I feel like Reena’s family are the true heroes of this tale. Can’t wait for more Godfrey. Brava friend. (She’s not my friend I just thought that sounded cool).

Observations on Humanity

The human, good, bad and confused. The naïveté and lack of self knowledge, evident in the early teen years, are all keenly observed, and communicated by this skilled and gentle writer.

I became aware of this writer by reading her obituary at the age of 54, in The NY Times. There was something about her gamine looks coupled with her list of accomplishments that drew me in and sent me in search of her books. Thankfully, as the message of mental health care, anger management and a place to grow and develop for every young personality was communicated in an intriguing way.

Everyone will enjoy this book.

Under the Bridge

It was very slow. It read like a police report. Interesting story, but wanted to know more about the people.

True story

Sad but Compelling story. Fascinating to see young children navigate and process a horrific event that was so easily avoidable. Kelly is evil incarnate.

Outstanding book and performance

This was an extremely well-written book and the author’s style was so moving and lyrical even when writing about such heinous actions. What sets it above everything though was the narrator - she was able to really get the cadence of the characters in a way I haven’t heard in many audiobooks. Great job everyone.

Excellent Book

Definitely worth reading. Especially appreciated the insight of the teenager involved and those on the sidelines.

Great book, terrible reading

No one should let a white woman mimic an East Asian accent. Also the reader’s pacing and post book interview was painful.