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sheriffrockyraccoon's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The idea is there, but the execution was lacking. I had really high hopes for this book, having loved the cover and enjoying a good mystery. That isn’t what this book is, though, and I would emphasize to anyone who wants to read it that I would hardly categorize it as crime either.
The book takes a long time to say what it wants to say. It takes WAY too long, like 350 pages too long. So much of the story is spent building up flat characters from an author whose characterization is also nonexistent. When it finally came to the plot twist, it just didn’t have much of an effect on me because there was nothing from the rest of the novel that I was truly holding on to.
I would like to think that maybe I am just so smart I saw Darnielle’s intention from the get go and that this was not a book directed toward me but I don’t think either of us should get too much credit. I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone.
The book takes a long time to say what it wants to say. It takes WAY too long, like 350 pages too long. So much of the story is spent building up flat characters from an author whose characterization is also nonexistent. When it finally came to the plot twist, it just didn’t have much of an effect on me because there was nothing from the rest of the novel that I was truly holding on to.
I would like to think that maybe I am just so smart I saw Darnielle’s intention from the get go and that this was not a book directed toward me but I don’t think either of us should get too much credit. I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Police brutality, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
directorpurry's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Blood, and Murder
samuelachillese's review against another edition
4.0
This is an interesting meta narrative about true crime, truth, and media spectacle. Interesting commentary about whose lives are grievable societally and what makes a compelling true crime story, and how "true" that compelling story has to be. John Darnielle is a deeply talented writer which is clear in both his songwriting and novel writing, and that shines through in the rich description, as well as the heartbreaking letter in the latter half of the book.
One critique of Devil House I have is that it's a very male-centric book that's very concerned with male friendship and the many forms it takes. Not bad necessarily, but outside of a few key moments, the book does seem to take place in a world largely without women. The women who appear aren't poorly written or written in a misogynistic way, but I wish there was more of them.
I didn't find the twist at the end fully satisfying for a variety of reasons, but I'm still going to be chewing on this for a while and it's a worthwhile read.
One critique of Devil House I have is that it's a very male-centric book that's very concerned with male friendship and the many forms it takes. Not bad necessarily, but outside of a few key moments, the book does seem to take place in a world largely without women. The women who appear aren't poorly written or written in a misogynistic way, but I wish there was more of them.
I didn't find the twist at the end fully satisfying for a variety of reasons, but I'm still going to be chewing on this for a while and it's a worthwhile read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, and Murder
ymer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
i really enjoyed this book. i also really enjoyed house of leaves, which is kind of the only thing i can compare it to. this is not a linear story that feeds itself to you, it requires a little effort to engage with (a bit like complex jazz music that doesn't immediately make you want to dance but is fascinating enough to keep listening.) it rewards you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, and Murder
cataquack's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'm gonna be thinking about this one for a while, I think.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Murder
kthealey's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Drug abuse
Minor: Sexism, Xenophobia, and Vomit
mikkitooloud's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism and Domestic abuse
Minor: Drug use
rystonlentil43's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I started reading in digital format and I'd already passed the section in the different font before switching to the paperback, but it does look like it would've been pretty hard to make out in that font. That aside, its presence exemplifies what I love about this book (and is crucial to the themes!). There's such a variety of textures working together to build strong, interesting ideas. (I see from the other reviews that this was misleadingly marketed as horror, like Universal Harvester... I wish that would stop happening. It's sad that people are disappointed by these great books because they were expecting something different.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, and Domestic abuse
waffel113's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse
jessiejonesbentley's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Not horror but not bad. Decent writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail