Reviews with content warning for Alcoholism - A Head Full of Ghosts

I can't remember the last time I finished a book in less than 12 hours, but this had me gripped so tight I couldn't stop reading.

I loved the underlying tension throughout that builds and builds, loved how the author set up the story so you're not sure whether it's supposed to be an actual demonic possession, mental illness, or whether the sister is faking it. I think it was actually a very wise decision because, in a lot of ways, having a definite supernatural element made explicit from the start takes a lot of the scare factor out of the story because it stops feeling real and grounded (for me, anyway).

I've never really read/watched a possession story that felt so tense and messed up but believably so – that's what makes this work so well. Nothing feels too ridiculous. The characters feel like real people, the setting feels like a real setting, even the TV crew feels like a real crew. The POV was also really fun – it's written in the first person and during the flashbacks to her childhood, the author has a way of writing through the main character's eyes to really make her feel like a real child – all her wants and (mis)understandings and the things that she picks upon.

If it wasn't for the unique concept, I wouldn't have picked this up. I wouldn't have given it a go if it was just a straightforward possession story. But I really liked the idea of the uncertainty of it all and thought it was executed brilliantly. It's the first horror book I've read in ages. Ever since I finished it, every now and then I find my thoughts drifting back to it. Especially the ending. I really enjoyed how it ended.

Content Warnings

danidamico's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced

Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

No sé, por las reseñas impecables que había visto en internet esperaba mucho más de este libro. Me pareció un poco... aburrido? Tal vez mis expectativas eran demasiado altas, pero el desarrollo de la historia no me resultó tan terrorífico como esperaba y el giro inesperado no fue suficiente, no me sorprendió, por lo cual el final se sintió poco efectivo y como que le faltó fuerza. Otro problema que tuve fue el hecho de que no pude empatizar ni conectar con ninguno de los personajes, no me produjo nada a nivel emocional; es más, la narradora me irritaba por momentos, lo cual es raro ya que me suelen gustar los protagonistas infantiles.

La relación entre las hermanas Marjorie y Merry me hizo acordar a Siempre hemos vivido en el castillo de Shirley Jackson, una novela que disfruté muchísimo más. De hecho, el personaje de Merry es bastante similar al de Merricat escrito por Jackson, pero sin el humor seco y oscuro que le daba gracia y un toque especial. No pude evitar compararlas entre sí.

Objetivamente, no me parece un libro malo, entiendo que a la mayoría de los lectores les encantó, incluyendo a Stephen King, que lo recomendó en Twitter. Pero, desde mi punto de vista, no fue nada especial y no me produjo nada. Es posible que sea yo, que no sea culpa de Paul Tremblay, sino más bien un tema de gustos y preferencias personales. No fue un gran disgusto, pero tampoco lo disfruté, digamos que me dejó bastante indiferente.

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