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savethegibbons's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is a great book in a lot of aspects. I really enjoyed the characters, the plot, and the overall "small-town" theme. In ways other small town horror books have let me down, American Elsewhere continued to keep me engaged.
There are a couple flaws though. Namely, the author uses the word "queerly" way too much (they use it to refer to something as weird). It's extremely noticeable just how much this word comes up, and it can kind of take you out of the story with how jarring it is to keep seeing it. Secondly, there is an inappropriate relationship that I feel wasn't really criticized enough; while it's clear the main character is disgusted by it, I wish there was more said about it.
Overall, if you're a fan of cosmic and/or small town horror, it's definitely worth a read.
There are a couple flaws though. Namely, the author uses the word "queerly" way too much (they use it to refer to something as weird). It's extremely noticeable just how much this word comes up, and it can kind of take you out of the story with how jarring it is to keep seeing it. Secondly, there is an inappropriate relationship that I feel wasn't really criticized enough; while it's clear the main character is disgusted by it, I wish there was more said about it.
Overall, if you're a fan of cosmic and/or small town horror, it's definitely worth a read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Child death, Gore, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
cwhite616's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
1.0
At about the 60% mark of this book, a character reflects that “familiarity breeds contempt.”
This is the problem with so many stories in the “cosmic horror” genre — as soon as the “mystery beyond words” is revealed by an unskilled author, that author has no tools but words to describe that which is inherently beyond words.
Sadly, this author takes the path of turning to gross-out gore and incredibly depressing violence, including absolutely horrible scenes of children being murdered.
I’m actually angry with Storygraph for recommending this book to me. It’s disturbing, disgusting, and almost completely without redeeming features. What’s particularly sad is that the first 40% of the book is incredibly interesting (albeit confusing) before turning into a depressing, gore-saturated pulp.
This is the most disappointing book I’ve read in decades. I’m so sad I read it.
This is the problem with so many stories in the “cosmic horror” genre — as soon as the “mystery beyond words” is revealed by an unskilled author, that author has no tools but words to describe that which is inherently beyond words.
Sadly, this author takes the path of turning to gross-out gore and incredibly depressing violence, including absolutely horrible scenes of children being murdered.
I’m actually angry with Storygraph for recommending this book to me. It’s disturbing, disgusting, and almost completely without redeeming features. What’s particularly sad is that the first 40% of the book is incredibly interesting (albeit confusing) before turning into a depressing, gore-saturated pulp.
This is the most disappointing book I’ve read in decades. I’m so sad I read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail