Looker

By: Laura Sims

Narrated by: Katherine Fenton

Length: 5 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

*Featured on Best of Lists in Vogue, People, Entertainment Weekly, Real Simple, Southern Living, and more*

In this “wicked slow burn” (Entertainment Weekly) of psychological suspense, a woman becomes fixated on her neighbor - the actress.

Though the two women live just a few doors apart, a chasm lies between them. The actress, a celebrity with a charmed career, shares a gleaming brownstone with her handsome husband and three adorable children, while the recently separated narrator, unhappily childless and stuck in a dead-end job, lives in a run-down, three-story walk-up with her ex-husband’s cat.

As her fascination with her famous neighbor grows, the narrator’s hold on reality begins to slip. Before long, she’s collecting cast-off items from the actress’s stoop and fantasizing about sleeping with the actress’s husband. After a disastrous interaction with the actress at the annual block party, what began as an innocent preoccupation turns into a stunning - and irrevocable - unraveling.

A riveting portrait of obsession, Looker is “a sugarcoated poison pill of psychological terror” (The Wall Street Journal) and an immersive and darkly entertaining read - “by the end you’ll be gasping” (People).

©2019 Laura Sims (P)2019 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"In prose that moves between lyrical and caterwauling, the poet Laura Sims has pulled off the high-wire act of making bitterness delicious." (Vogue, "Most Anticipated Books of 2019")

So disappointing

This started out strong and basically went nowhere until a couple of uninteresting events at the end. Not sure what the point was. The premise was so promising. The writing was good but edged over into poetic sometimes - and not in a good way. I liked the narrator but she imbued the character with BITING. SARCASM. IN. ALMOST. EVERY. SENTENCE. which got old after awhile; I know the character is hostile and angry but it would have been good if the character had developed more or if we occasionally saw her vulnerability.. If you are looking for a thriller I would definitely not recommend.

Was this going somewhere?

With so many novels out there about stalkers or about women whose life unravels, this one was a waste of time. The main character was unlikable, which would have been OK, but she was also boring (as was the story). The secondary characters are mere shadows (none come to life). Was skeptical about a novel that could be read in only five hours (seemed like ten). Was right. Would only consider another novel by this author if it gets raving reviews.

Depressing

Do not know what the purpose of this story was. It was a depressing, angry, sick book. I only read because it was a book club selection. If I could un-read it, I would.

Depressing

I think this book had a ton of potential, especially with a troubled narrator; however, the story was flat and boring.

Captivating and haunting - well written POV

When I first started this book I struggled to get into the story. I decided to try again a few weeks later and found that I couldn't stop listening. The way the author writes this character's narrative is captivating and haunting. I found myself despising the main character, but also sympathizing for her as well as empathizing with the pain and torment she must feel. Some of her negative thoughts are just cognitive distortions about peoples' intentions, something I struggle with. But good Lord, what a warning to evaluate yourself and not spiral into madness!! I'd love to read a version from the others' POV, how life isn't perfect for the actress and then she starts noticing the strange neighbor creeping around her. How Bernardo felt manipulated into sleeping with her, the other students' and school boards thoughts, Nathan's side of their marriage, and Mrs H trying to help her.

Disappointed

The story seems to drag on and on for three quarters of the book, but I am faithfully waiting for a great ending. That is when I am disappointed in the ending and in the fact there was so much potential. The writing style itself is quite good.

Stupid book

I wanted to like this book but found the story incredibly stupid. Don't bother reading!

Very depressing story

I did not enjoy the book. The writing was good but the story was very depressing and sad

Darkly Demented

Darkly demented with brilliant, sharp writing!

"I'm grateful they've never thought to install blinds. That's how confident they are. No one would dare stand in front of our house and watch us, they think. And they're probably right, except for me."

This is a very unique book, told from the point of view of an unnamed woman who is rapidly coming apart at the seams and turning her rage against everyone she meets. Reviewers have noted the relative short length of the book but I chose to listen to the audio which was OUTSTANDING! Katherine Fenton did an amazing job at channeling all the intelligence, heartbreak and pathos of the unnamed protagonist.

The main character of 'Looker' is a voyeur who has become obsessed with an actress who lives on her block. If only the actress would give her a glance or a comment, then everything would be okay! The narrator is a seemingly intelligent woman whose husband has left her after their battle with infertility took a heavy emotional and financial toll on their marriage. The narrator has been left all alone in the couple's apartment in New York City.

"Emptiness inside, emptiness outside; this is what's mine."

The narrator quickly falls apart and be warned, there are scenes of cruelty in this book. There is also razor-sharp writing and almost poetic observation of relationships and human behavior. This is a wildly creative story with dark, poignant themes. My favorite parts of the book occur later in the story when the narrator begins to totally lose her grip on reality.

"I am sick to death of women. Kind women, careful women, strong-and-silent women, caretaking women, lonely women, old women, young women, perfect women, dead women, crazy women, haunted women, bitter women, hateful women, harsh women, hounded women, all women! I am not one of you! Leave me alone, leave me to the straightforwardly horrible men."

The ending was very inventive and perfect for this book. I applaud the author for not wrapping everything up neatly in a bow. 'Looker' was imaginative and unique and very gripping. Even the cover choice is perfect! This book is not so much a thriller as it is a psychological study. Laura Sims is a talent to watch.

Great portrayal of a crazy mind

Really enjoyed her decent into madness. My only criticism is that I wish they had one other perspective to round off the ending. Maybe from Nathan to see the results through his eyes. Worth an afternoon listen.