Reviews

The Girl Next Door, by Jack Ketchum

compostintraining's review against another edition

4.0

I haven't been this emotionally devastated/depressed/disgusted from a book since reading The Room by Hubert Selby Jr. Over 15 years ago. One of the hardest books I ever read. I didn't go in expecting to think the book was good either (I read off season, which was quite boring to me) which almost made things worse.

zombie_loves_books's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

bean0530's review against another edition

5.0

What on earth possessed me to pick up this book? I never read anything that entails criminal activities involving children. But there I was, thinking this would be interesting.

Beware: if you have a weak stomach or your heart breaks easily when kids are involved, this isn't the book for you.

I struggled reading this. I had to read it during the day only. And a little bit at a time. It was unsettling, heartbreaking, nauseating, and infuriating. I think what made it worse was that it was told from a child's perspective and experience. The writing was very well done and the story was great. But the subject matter is not at all easy.

Now excuse me while I go read something light and fluffy.

whsths's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

razorsharpredhead's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

4.25

c0urtn3yy's review against another edition

5.0

Oof; this was a hard read. A very hard read. Not physically, but emotionally. I had seen this movie a few years after it came out - so it's been awhile - but it left quite an impression; the story has stuck with me ever since. I will not watch it again, but I did want to read the book. So finally, 10ish years later, I did it. Excellent writing - it makes you get emotionally invested, especially when you don't want to. If you didn't know, this book is loosely based on the actual murder of Sylvia Likens back in 1965 - an absolutely heart wrenching look-up if you feel compelled to do so. The articles are hard to read &, in my opinion, justice was not served. I think Ketchum did a great job of making you feel SO much hate for everyone involved & then delivering with quite possibly the most unfair resolution... & that's exactly how the real story makes you feel too. It makes you hate it even more. There are SO many questions that rattle through your brain while reading this book - literally why didn't anyone say anything or do something to stop it sooner. It should not have gotten that far without someone at least questioning it. I get that they're kids, but the ease in which they all slipped into character was frightening. Reminded me a bit of The Stanford Prison Experiment, which if you're not familiar is an actual experiment conducted to see how easily good people turn evil... Spoiler alert: it's horrifically easy. I also think Ketchum made a GENIUS decision to write this story from the neighbor's point of view. Because you KNOW it was worse than what little glimpses we got. Anyway. If anything else, this story is a great lesson on why you should speak up & stand up for others - even if it's scary. Somebody has to be the first one & you might be surprised how many follow suit if you do. 10/10. Will not read again.

kelseyklein's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

canaryp's review against another edition

challenging dark sad

3.0

I'm giving it 3 because 2 feels too low but I really didn't like this book. It was well written, in terms of tone, the consistent narrator voice giving retrospect as well as genuine confusion of a child, but beyond that.... 

It felt very.. intrusive to write about Sylvia Likens story like this. Voyeuristic, focusing on the emotions of some guy who wanted to fuck her rather than the girl herself. Making Meg's untimely death the story of how sad some guy is about it feels just gross. As well, the author's morality was set up weirdly - at times he was desperate to help, at others, he loved the torture, idk it felt like the author couldn't decide if we were meant to sympathise or not

novelfella's review

5.0

I’m kind of ashamed to admit how much I enjoyed this book. It’s written very well considering the subject matter which is based on the true story of Slyvia Likens.
The story itself is disgusting and upsetting and the moral ambiguity of David is rather jaw-dropping.
If you’re looking for a book that will shake your soul to the core and leave you feeling dirty, look no further.

lisahoeflinger's review against another edition

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