gonturans's review against another edition
3.0
It didn’t spook me (if you’re familiar with a specific old British tradition, you figure things out pretty quickly), hence the 3 stars, but I did enjoy it
johnwillson's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderfully creepy... in parts, but the book makes you wait for it. Documentary-style novel about an English psychedelic folk band that holes up in a sprawling ancient cottage to write their next album. They find inspiration, and something finds them.
The portrayal of the early-70s counterculture and music scene is so spot-on, it feels like real history. Clearly, Jimmy Page was a touchstone for this tale.
There are six or eight narrator characters, and the viewpoint switches often. The voices aren't distinct enough that we needed so many, and sometimes it gets frustrating, hearing about the same events over and over from different people.
Not a perfect book, but a great read if you like some rock history with your ghost story.
The portrayal of the early-70s counterculture and music scene is so spot-on, it feels like real history. Clearly, Jimmy Page was a touchstone for this tale.
There are six or eight narrator characters, and the viewpoint switches often. The voices aren't distinct enough that we needed so many, and sometimes it gets frustrating, hearing about the same events over and over from different people.
Not a perfect book, but a great read if you like some rock history with your ghost story.
nathanrester's review against another edition
2.0
Really hard to pitch this one, but I think "Rashomon has a baby with The Shining and the midwife is Naked Lunch" might clear the bar. But Wylding Hall is so short and inconclusive that I'm hesitant to compare it to anything else because it's so unashamedly itself that it's difficult to summarize in comparison with other stuff. If you like ghost stories, mysteries, or slow-burn narratives, then this is for you.
emilyramey's review
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
mturney1010's review against another edition
3.0
Haunting, fun read. could read in an afternoon, but it took me two months because I couldn't ever stay motivated, even though I was interested. would recommend.
trojanhorsevirus's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
xaphriel's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
honnari_hannya's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Overall enjoyed this, though I felt like the lead-up into the actual event and the reveal weren't balanced. There was definitely an eerie atmosphere that permeated the novel, but I wish we got a little more description of Wylding Hall itself. There was a lot about the relationships between the characters, particularly the various jealousies that surrounded Julian, but it didn't go anywhere in particular so I felt like it left me hanging.
Overall enjoyed this, though I felt like the lead-up into the actual event and the reveal weren't balanced. There was definitely an eerie atmosphere that permeated the novel, but I wish we got a little more description of Wylding Hall itself. There was a lot about the relationships between the characters, particularly the various jealousies that surrounded Julian, but it didn't go anywhere in particular so I felt like it left me hanging.
superdilettante's review against another edition
4.0
The slowest burn horror novel, dying for a sequel. My e - copy has an adorable and highly intriguing bio of the author at the end.