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seighboo's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
queenginger's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
I can see why this novel won the 2017 Shirley Jackson Award. As a devout fan of Shirley Jackson and her skill of working twisted narratives into the psychological horror realm, this novel by Pyun portrays that art in a similar way.
Everything is subtle. That’s the unnerving aspect of the story. It’s not your typical paranormal, ghostly, slasher sort of horror. Everything that makes you uneasy is slow-building and tense. The claustrophobia seeps into every corner and devours you whole by the end.
The themes of guilt, anger, grief, and loneliness are hard hitting and fit into each piece of this story’s puzzle.
Subtly is what makes psychological horror work in such a beautiful way, and I would say Pyun nailed it all perfectly.
Everything is subtle. That’s the unnerving aspect of the story. It’s not your typical paranormal, ghostly, slasher sort of horror. Everything that makes you uneasy is slow-building and tense. The claustrophobia seeps into every corner and devours you whole by the end.
The themes of guilt, anger, grief, and loneliness are hard hitting and fit into each piece of this story’s puzzle.
Subtly is what makes psychological horror work in such a beautiful way, and I would say Pyun nailed it all perfectly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Medical content, Car accident, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment
andadeen's review against another edition
Depressing, no likeable characters, nothing happens, no horror at all.
snarkycrafter's review
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Really weird and dark but oddly very intriguing and captivating. I enjoyed the read.
erinlcrane's review against another edition
3.0
This was a great audiobook read, very easy to follow. I enjoyed the slow burn. It’s more of a literary horror in that way - also in how unlikeable the protagonist is.
There’s a tension in the book as you learn of Ohgi’s flaws. I think there are readers who will feel he deserves ill treatment. Personally I felt like, ok, he’s not a good guy, but this is too awful.
I wondered whether the story was ableist or not. I think maybe what is ableist about it is the use of paralysis as horror, like how physical difference is often used to frighten in horror - or as a metaphor for internal evil. Ohgi often thinks of his body in negative terms with language of disgust. While that’s probably not inaccurate to the experience of someone newly paralyzed, it’s not balanced by some other perspective here. The tone of the story sort of precludes it. But it’s worth noting that it’s an issue.
I loved the slow reveal of Oghi’s past with his wife. The way you consistently get his self-absorbed view. I thought that was really well done.
Ultimately I don’t know that it brought anything new - I was waiting for something else strange or surprising to happen. Feels like I won’t really remember it in a few weeks!
There’s a tension in the book as you learn of Ohgi’s flaws. I think there are readers who will feel he deserves ill treatment. Personally I felt like, ok, he’s not a good guy, but this is too awful.
I wondered whether the story was ableist or not. I think maybe what is ableist about it is the use of paralysis as horror, like how physical difference is often used to frighten in horror - or as a metaphor for internal evil. Ohgi often thinks of his body in negative terms with language of disgust. While that’s probably not inaccurate to the experience of someone newly paralyzed, it’s not balanced by some other perspective here. The tone of the story sort of precludes it. But it’s worth noting that it’s an issue.
I loved the slow reveal of Oghi’s past with his wife. The way you consistently get his self-absorbed view. I thought that was really well done.
Ultimately I don’t know that it brought anything new - I was waiting for something else strange or surprising to happen. Feels like I won’t really remember it in a few weeks!
ssoup's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wgentz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
pdestrienne's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
3.5
well written. depressing af.
ihateprozac's review against another edition
2.0
This was more literary fiction than horror and it did not work for me at alllllllll. It didn't really go anywhere and this man's inner monologue was unbearable to listen to.