mcribsy13's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
megamelfina's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Domestic abuse
Minor: Sexual violence
linapuppet's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
kendallreads's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
bellelouallen's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The dread in this book is palpable. 😩
It would have been 5 stars for me if the horror had really gone there, but it’s a great book with a hella haunting atmosphere. Definitely read if you liked needful things.
It would have been 5 stars for me if the horror had really gone there, but it’s a great book with a hella haunting atmosphere. Definitely read if you liked needful things.
ryowl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
3.0
I’m not sure if I went into this book with the wrong idea of what it was going to be, but it’s entirely possible.
With praise of it being “truly terrifying” I suppose it crafted different expectations for me than what I got. Make no mistake, the auctioneer himself was horrible, a truly disgusting human being, but the book itself I found tedious and often too slow.
There was a fair amount of repetition throughout, and the ending wasn’t a satisfying conclusion as I was hoping.
With praise of it being “truly terrifying” I suppose it crafted different expectations for me than what I got. Make no mistake, the auctioneer himself was horrible, a truly disgusting human being, but the book itself I found tedious and often too slow.
There was a fair amount of repetition throughout, and the ending wasn’t a satisfying conclusion as I was hoping.
graemeh's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
anotherbooklady's review against another edition
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.