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jessreads8's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
meadforddude's review against another edition
5.0
What at first seems like a high-concept work of simple horror quickly reveals itself as something much more searching and empathetic. This is ultimately a meditation on grief and loss, and - much like Wolf in White Van - understanding the overall structure is crucial to derive any meaning from the narrative that unfolds.
I'm going to need to spend some time thinking about this, and I hope to revisit it soon (it's at a very revisit-friendly length), but I'm comfortable labeling it a minor masterpiece even now. It builds on the strengths of his debut effort in weird and unexpected ways, and I hope this novel doesn't slip through the cracks. It's unconventionally-assembled, sure, but it so accurately evokes the fog of grief in the wake of unimaginable loss. I was about to say I can't think of anything quiet like it, but George Saunders' Lincoln in the Bardo is a worthy companion piece.
I'm going to need to spend some time thinking about this, and I hope to revisit it soon (it's at a very revisit-friendly length), but I'm comfortable labeling it a minor masterpiece even now. It builds on the strengths of his debut effort in weird and unexpected ways, and I hope this novel doesn't slip through the cracks. It's unconventionally-assembled, sure, but it so accurately evokes the fog of grief in the wake of unimaginable loss. I was about to say I can't think of anything quiet like it, but George Saunders' Lincoln in the Bardo is a worthy companion piece.
aa2q7's review against another edition
2.0
Anticlimactic and ultimately unsatisfying. I was very into the "thriller" part of this book but the limited reveal toward the end of the novel fell flat as there just wasn't much of a "reveal" at all, which was disappointing considering how much I enjoyed the writing and the build-up.
_whit_'s review against another edition
1.0
The biggest waste of time. Disjointed, boring, disappointing.
cardigoth's review against another edition
3.0
Not what I expected, actually, and fairly anticlimactic as a result. Nice imagery, nice idea, but not what I was looking for. I will read his other best seller to see how that suits me, though.
arthreader's review against another edition
2.0
Definitely a slow burn and not much of a mystery, this book had the potential to be creepy but didn't quite hold up.
erikavedder's review against another edition
3.0
Great writing, excellent characters, aimless storyline that never truly gets resolved. For such a short book, it took me way too long to finish because it never fully pulls you in. It’s one of those books I’ll probably think about for a long time, despite never really enjoying it.
katlynn17's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 I’d be mad that I stuck this out until then end if the writing wasn’t so good.
gconti's review against another edition
3.0
I’m not quite sure how to rate this book. On one hand, the writing was amazingly unique. I can say I have never read anything like it. It was beautifully descriptive but had a way of making everything seem mysterious at the same time.
On the other hand, I honestly have no clue what completely happens in this story. It seems that the tapes were clips from private investigations on Sarah’s mother. But why was she clipping these scenes and putting them onto other movies? I really wish I could have gotten a clear conclusion to this.
Overall, the writing was beautiful and the story creeped me out without anything extremely scary happening. I somehow loved this and am confused by it at the same time.
On the other hand, I honestly have no clue what completely happens in this story. It seems that the tapes were clips from private investigations on Sarah’s mother. But why was she clipping these scenes and putting them onto other movies? I really wish I could have gotten a clear conclusion to this.
Overall, the writing was beautiful and the story creeped me out without anything extremely scary happening. I somehow loved this and am confused by it at the same time.