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mattschiller's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I wasn’t really connecting or seeing why this was such a beloved classic when I first started reading this book. It didn’t feel scary. I felt like I had already figured out the secret. Why did I even need to finish? I’m really glad that I stuck through it though as this book has such a powerful finish that makes you appreciate the groundwork laid from the beginning. Is it psychological? Is it possession? Something else? Had me guessing in the best of ways. By the end I can see why this is held in high regard and mentioned along with Turn of the Screw and the Haunting of Hill House. Highly recommend.
janey's review against another edition
4.0
Better than I would have guessed. Someone on Lithub or The Millions said it was the best book they read in 2020 and while I wouldn't go that far, I'm glad they did so that I would read it.
rwilhoyte's review against another edition
3.0
I saw this movie when I was 13 and thought it was the creepiest thing I'd ever seen. The twists stay with you in a way that cheap scares in a movie do not. Unfortunately, I think know thing the twists made me enjoy the book less because it was more apparent where it was going. Or the book just makes it appparent. I'll never really know because I can't read the book untainted by the movie. In that way, this book reminds me of Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane. Loved the book, thought the movie was decent. But again, I knew the twists. Things like that affect the way you feel about the stuff you read. I still thought this story was fun and twisty though.
murraybymoonlight's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tobyjames12's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
smugsnail's review against another edition
5.0
Everything about this book left me entirely ill at ease. Even the seemingly innocuous parts made me nervous for what was going to happen next. The lush descriptions and lingering on parts that may seem somewhat incongruous at the plot just made it more intense, waiting for the shoe to drop. I did figure out the twists throughout because this is now a common trope, but this book was certainly one of the first and it was used to great effect. Even though I had "called it," my jaw still did drop when it was confirmed. I will say that there is some writing both Of the Time and The Time It Takes Place, so certain things will have you cringing or skimming over them as I did.
craftygal's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
dstaples's review
4.0
This book is creepy in the sense that while I was reading it, I never felt like I really knew what was going on, or who was doing what to whom. Instead of trying to figure everything out, I just read and let it come to me. It was a fun ride. There's always a reason when books stand the test of time.