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linzm's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
katiescho741's review against another edition
2.0
There was a lot I liked about this book. I loved the idea of a city being so dark and bleak and full of evil, but the evil came from the humanity rather than something supernatural. The atmosphere and description of Calcutta were brilliantly grim.
I guess the rest of the book didn't really gel for me. I got a bit lost with all the names and terms, and when it got into the realm of secret cults doing death rituals, it sort of lost me. Our main character was a bit bland, and I felt like he just plodded through the plot. Then there was his wife who spent most of her page time exclaiming "Oh Bobby!"
I found the whole book a bit plodding and slow, and maybe a bit repetitive. There was a whole section told from someone else's POV which felt a bit odd. I think there was a lot that was good in this book, but things didn't mesh well together.
I guess the rest of the book didn't really gel for me. I got a bit lost with all the names and terms, and when it got into the realm of secret cults doing death rituals, it sort of lost me. Our main character was a bit bland, and I felt like he just plodded through the plot. Then there was his wife who spent most of her page time exclaiming "Oh Bobby!"
I found the whole book a bit plodding and slow, and maybe a bit repetitive. There was a whole section told from someone else's POV which felt a bit odd. I think there was a lot that was good in this book, but things didn't mesh well together.
biorg's review against another edition
1.0
girl.... this is so bad and racist it's almost camp. well, except it's not good at all. the author definitely tries to shock to western sensibilities... those epigraphs are not subtle at all lol!!
although, there is one tantalisingly interesting episode that gives insight into bobby's past.... which is never brought up again in any meaningful way... what was THAT about?
although, there is one tantalisingly interesting episode that gives insight into bobby's past.... which is never brought up again in any meaningful way... what was THAT about?
chloeisconscious's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
didn't like this much, which is a shame because the terror is one of my all time favourite books. was hoping to be scared based on reviews, was mildly enthused instead. i did really like the descriptions and prose - this was never simmons' weak spot, and he knows how to immerse you in the setting of his works; calcutta, for this novel.
that being said, it cannot be understated the underlying racism in this book. i like to hope it's not the author, but that the racist undertones were a trait of the main character, our narrator - unlikeable asshole, by the way. even so, it tainted the story when the plot was constantly being interrupted by the overexaggerated negative stereotypes pasted on all the indian characters and the city itself. i saw another user say that this could have been a much more engrossing story were it written by an indian author, and i completely agree. the plot and setting could have led up to such a cool story were the setting and character writen with more complexity and respect.
that being said, it cannot be understated the underlying racism in this book. i like to hope it's not the author, but that the racist undertones were a trait of the main character, our narrator - unlikeable asshole, by the way. even so, it tainted the story when the plot was constantly being interrupted by the overexaggerated negative stereotypes pasted on all the indian characters and the city itself. i saw another user say that this could have been a much more engrossing story were it written by an indian author, and i completely agree. the plot and setting could have led up to such a cool story were the setting and character writen with more complexity and respect.
rickwren's review against another edition
4.0
It felt like a compulsion and I liked that what it felt like was what the author intended. It wrapped me into the mystery and the deflections and artfully placed my expectations in just the wrong place every time.
I don't think it was a monumental game-changer. But it was a nice, quick read filled with fulfilled expectations.
I don't think it was a monumental game-changer. But it was a nice, quick read filled with fulfilled expectations.
andreasvb's review against another edition
4.0
Mit første møde med Dan Simmons blev denne bog, i en dansk oversættelse, som jeg fandt på en støvet hylde i et antikvariat. Virkelig et nice fund, og selvom jeg har haft "The Terror" på listen længe, er jeg virkelig glad for at dette blev mit første bekendtskab med forfatteren!
Bogen havde nogle meget meget effektfulde scener, der fik mig til at tænke tilbage på "I Am Legend". Det er særligt de intense dele i Calcuttas storbyliv, der fungerer godt - og som bliver utroligt hæsblæsende og ubehagelige, på den bedst mulige måde! Gudinden Kali blev brugt meget aktivt, og skræmmende, og Simmons formår at skabe klare billeder af den frygt som hovedpersonen oplever. Især den overnaturlige del og konfrontationen med Kali var vellykket, og virkelig nogle stærke afsnit.
Der var også nogle ting som ikke fungerede godt. Jeg synes at slutningen blev lidt langtrukken og sløv. Måske var jeg bare uenig i den retning historien tager efter sit egentlige klimaks. Den sidste ting som jeg vil nævne som negativ, er at historien - især i starten, giver et meget negativt billede af Calcutta og til tider Indiens befolkning. En del af det kan tørres af på en ikke så elskelig hovedperson, men det går lidt i clinch senere. Jeg synes ikke at bogen ender med at virke racistisk i sin helhed, men der et par scener som jeg synes efterlod mig med en skidt smag i munden.
Alt i alt var det en ret stærk og gennemført roman.
Bogen havde nogle meget meget effektfulde scener, der fik mig til at tænke tilbage på "I Am Legend". Det er særligt de intense dele i Calcuttas storbyliv, der fungerer godt - og som bliver utroligt hæsblæsende og ubehagelige, på den bedst mulige måde! Gudinden Kali blev brugt meget aktivt, og skræmmende, og Simmons formår at skabe klare billeder af den frygt som hovedpersonen oplever. Især den overnaturlige del og konfrontationen med Kali var vellykket, og virkelig nogle stærke afsnit.
Der var også nogle ting som ikke fungerede godt. Jeg synes at slutningen blev lidt langtrukken og sløv. Måske var jeg bare uenig i den retning historien tager efter sit egentlige klimaks. Den sidste ting som jeg vil nævne som negativ, er at historien - især i starten, giver et meget negativt billede af Calcutta og til tider Indiens befolkning. En del af det kan tørres af på en ikke så elskelig hovedperson, men det går lidt i clinch senere. Jeg synes ikke at bogen ender med at virke racistisk i sin helhed, men der et par scener som jeg synes efterlod mig med en skidt smag i munden.
Alt i alt var det en ret stærk og gennemført roman.
reverienb's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
ncullin's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Well-written, intriguing prose. Never liked the main character, but wanted to know what happened in the end. Anticlimactic.