Dear Michelle,

I hope this message finds you well and you are finding ways to stay cool during this heatwave we’re currently having!

I wanted to message to congratulate you on what a triumph RAINFOREST is. I was lucky enough to get a digital proof on NetGalley and of course I had to read it straight away without a moments notice and by GOD it was incredible. I loved every second. It came at the right moment as my partner, Josh, and I are in the middle of buying our first home together and it hasn’t been a very fun process and RAINFOREST allowed me to escape for a while!

Below is what I posted on NetGalley after finishing:

Phenomenal. All of the stars. Every single time I read a Michelle Paver book I am completely entranced. Sucked straight into the words and not let go until the very last page. This book took me completely unawares with its direction and I couldn’t have loved it more if I tried. I knew that it was going to be creepy but holy cow, the violence that lay within these pages was handled so well.

Simon is incredibly flawed. At times creepy, narcissistic and downright odd. He deeply mistrusts the local people of the part of the rainforest where he is working. He’s running away from his own demons back home in England. Demons of his own making that even now he just doesn’t seem to realise. And even now he just cannot let go of his obsessions. I liked that he was this way because you never once really feel for him. If anything I felt that the more he was haunted, the more comeuppance he was truly getting. His just desserts.

Written with consummate skill with gorgeous, often raw prose, and with a conclusion that made me physically shout out in horror, this was a joy and easily my top read of the year so far.

Every time I read one of her books it’s like coming home, and I am so grateful to have experienced that wonderful feeling once again! ♥️

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Thank you for such an experience! Hoping I get to catch up with you at an event later in the year and get my copy signed!

Best wishes as always,
Ryan

Dear Ryan, thanks so much for this – I think it’s pretty much the first review for Rainforest – and I’m absolutely delighted that you liked it so much! I was also fascinated to hear your take on the hero, Simon.  I suspect he’s going to spark some interesting discussions among readers: some may empathise with him, while others probably won’t.  As always it’ll be down to individual readers to make up their own minds, but I do find that fascinating.  And above all, I’m glad that the story kept you hooked and that you enjoyed it! Thanks again for getting in touch.  With very best wishes, Michelle

P.S. I should make clear to readers that you’re one of the lucky ones who’s been allowed to read Rainforest early; it’s common practice for publishers to send reviewers and booksellers advance copies.  I’m afraid the rest of my readers will have to wait till October when the book comes out.