pacardullo's review against another edition
3.5
This one was OK but just did not quite work for me. I did not mind the "slow burn" nature of it, nor the underplayed horror aspects. It was primarily that it felt repetitive. It did not feel like a slow ramping-up of the actions of the auctioneer. Everything just-sort-of-happened.
That said, your mileage may vary. There are those who feel that this is one of the best, scariest novels of the 1970s. I am just not one of them.
That said, your mileage may vary. There are those who feel that this is one of the best, scariest novels of the 1970s. I am just not one of them.
tomesoftrouble's review against another edition
3.0
It's not a bad book, but I probably would've liked it better as a short story because parts of it feel a little tedious and padded out. Still, I liked the characters and the overall story. A solid read.
karaboo's review
4.0
This book was truly terrifying to me, and Perly Dunsmore has to be one of the scariest characters in literature. I didn't know what to expect when I started listening to the audiobook, but I was hooked instantly.
Published in 1975, author Joan Samson cultivated an incredibly frightening story that builds upon itself, causing anxiety in the reader. It's a shame that this is the only novel we will ever have by Samson-she passed away shortly after the release of her novel from cancer at the age of 39.
The Auctioneer was rereleased in 2018 and has introduced a new group of readers to its quiet horror.
The story takes place in an isolated farming community of Harlowe, New Hampshire, a town that has changed very little in many decades. John Moore, along with his wife, his mother, and his young daughter live on the farm that his been in his family for generations. Along comes Perly Dunsmore to the quiet town and using his charm, starts soliciting donations from the families of Harlowe for an auction-an auction that Perly promises will benefit the town. Once the auctions start, things begin to slowly change in Harlowe. The Moores and their neighbors find themselves gradually and inescapably deprived of their possessions, of their freedom, and if something doesn't change, they may lose their very lives.
What made this story so scary for me was the idea that what happens in this story could actually happen-and most likely in some form HAS happened. Joan Samson builds up the tension in this story to a fever pitch, and I constantly found myself holding my breath, waiting for some kind of resolution. The author preyed upon the part of me where my biggest fear is losing those I love the most.
This was a highly addicting listen and the reader was excellent.
Published in 1975, author Joan Samson cultivated an incredibly frightening story that builds upon itself, causing anxiety in the reader. It's a shame that this is the only novel we will ever have by Samson-she passed away shortly after the release of her novel from cancer at the age of 39.
The Auctioneer was rereleased in 2018 and has introduced a new group of readers to its quiet horror.
The story takes place in an isolated farming community of Harlowe, New Hampshire, a town that has changed very little in many decades. John Moore, along with his wife, his mother, and his young daughter live on the farm that his been in his family for generations. Along comes Perly Dunsmore to the quiet town and using his charm, starts soliciting donations from the families of Harlowe for an auction-an auction that Perly promises will benefit the town. Once the auctions start, things begin to slowly change in Harlowe. The Moores and their neighbors find themselves gradually and inescapably deprived of their possessions, of their freedom, and if something doesn't change, they may lose their very lives.
What made this story so scary for me was the idea that what happens in this story could actually happen-and most likely in some form HAS happened. Joan Samson builds up the tension in this story to a fever pitch, and I constantly found myself holding my breath, waiting for some kind of resolution. The author preyed upon the part of me where my biggest fear is losing those I love the most.
This was a highly addicting listen and the reader was excellent.
mina's review
Very simple in plot yet full of atmospheric dread. I love a good small town horror and The Auctioneer did not disappoint.
anti_formalist12's review against another edition
5.0
Haven’t read a book in a single day in a little while, but this one was eminently worth it.
notallbooks_mp's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
kristins911's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rapgamenancyreagan'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
sargasso_c's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
A definite classic. The book got a bit repetitive towards the middle, but overall provider an enjoyable reading experience.
ladyeremite's review
4.0
As someone relatively well-acquainted with both literary fiction and horror, I was surprised I hadn't heard of a book of this quality before. I bought it because I had a credit on Audible and it was offered as part of a 2-for-1 sale, and I am very glad I did. The tale that transpires is a parable of small town evil a la Shirley Jackson's The Lottery. In the auctioneer Pearly Dunsmore, Samson successfully transforms the old figure of the devil into a capitalist demagogue, with uncanny parallels to the modern American political landscape. Written without a touch of flab and infused with a terror remarkably clean of gratuitous gore but no less chilling for its absence, this book will stay with me for a while.