thenonbinaryc's review against another edition
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Transphobia, Death of parent, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Outdated and demonisation of ‘multiple personality disorders’ and ‘transvesites’janeb's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Transphobia
madmichele's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.25
can’t believe I had no idea what this book was about (aside from the infamous shower scene from the film adaptation - which i also haven’t seen). I wish I didn’t read the synopsis on the back which alluded to ed gein, because I was expecting a slightly different plot after reading that. I see the inspiration there, but I was taking it very literally after I read the summary; I thought there would be more modeling after him, so I didn’t find the book to be as disturbing as what gein actually did.
for the late 50s, this was probably extremely dark and disturbing. but i’m used to this genre & have read/seen worse in both books and movies so I guess that’s why I didn’t feel the way others probably felt when it came out. it felt more like a thriller than horror because of that, but that’s just me.
I enjoyed most of it, except for the explanation bit near the end (chapters 15-16, I think). I loved the final chapter, though.
for the late 50s, this was probably extremely dark and disturbing. but i’m used to this genre & have read/seen worse in both books and movies so I guess that’s why I didn’t feel the way others probably felt when it came out. it felt more like a thriller than horror because of that, but that’s just me.
I enjoyed most of it, except for the explanation bit near the end (chapters 15-16, I think). I loved the final chapter, though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Forced institutionalization and Transphobia
More...