cryptoclastic's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mooncrane115's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jen_nicole's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
loki_the_cat's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
mrgalahad's review against another edition
5.0
Blackwater is one of the most special books I ever had the delight to discover. Marketed as a Gothic Horror in “Paperbacks from Hell”, the idea of a horror anthology series about a southern family seemed quite original to me, so I gave it a try. While having horror moments it's much more focused on family dynamics and profoundly explores them.
The reader follows Elinor Caskey throughout six books which start in the nineteen twenties and end in the seventies. We meet her children, grandchildren and witness her “War” with her mother-in-law which is one of the best-written villains I ever had the chance to read about. While following many lives from the Caskey clan, throughout everything is a slight feeling of dread. The reader knows that something isn't right, but we forgot it while Mary Love the mother-in-law and Elinor fight or Oscar her husband tries to become independent of his mother sheltering. The horror is often sudden but feels that much more earned as you really care about the characters. Even if many of them aren't that likable, they feel like humans could have met if you had lived in the USA at that time.
It was fascinating to me how progressive Blackwater was in general. While written in the nineteen-eighties. We have a plethora of strong female characters, the Caskey family throughout the book is headed by a woman. We also have a gay relationship that didn't felt forced in any way (and without a doubt wouldn't have been forced into a book at this time). What was astounding is that this all happened in the book while being set in a much more conservative time itself, while not feeling out of place at all.
Blackwater is extremely memorable, but it had some downsides which stopped it from getting a five-point score (after thinking about it again this one deserves 5-Starts). The first book can be a bit off-putting if you expected full-blown horror and the later ones fall off as old members of the cast die to old age or other circumstances. It also should be mentioned that it isn't easy getting Blackwater today. Originally published in six volumes which you can hardly find, there is now a complete Saga edition. This edition costs between thirty or fifty euros which is a hefty price for a book. An alternative is the audible edition which I used. Matt Godfrey as the narrator did a great job and helped the Caskey Family to come alive for me.
The reader follows Elinor Caskey throughout six books which start in the nineteen twenties and end in the seventies. We meet her children, grandchildren and witness her “War” with her mother-in-law which is one of the best-written villains I ever had the chance to read about. While following many lives from the Caskey clan, throughout everything is a slight feeling of dread. The reader knows that something isn't right, but we forgot it while Mary Love the mother-in-law and Elinor fight or Oscar her husband tries to become independent of his mother sheltering. The horror is often sudden but feels that much more earned as you really care about the characters. Even if many of them aren't that likable, they feel like humans could have met if you had lived in the USA at that time.
It was fascinating to me how progressive Blackwater was in general. While written in the nineteen-eighties. We have a plethora of strong female characters, the Caskey family throughout the book is headed by a woman. We also have a gay relationship that didn't felt forced in any way (and without a doubt wouldn't have been forced into a book at this time). What was astounding is that this all happened in the book while being set in a much more conservative time itself, while not feeling out of place at all.
Blackwater is extremely memorable, but it had some downsides which stopped it from getting a five-point score (after thinking about it again this one deserves 5-Starts). The first book can be a bit off-putting if you expected full-blown horror and the later ones fall off as old members of the cast die to old age or other circumstances. It also should be mentioned that it isn't easy getting Blackwater today. Originally published in six volumes which you can hardly find, there is now a complete Saga edition. This edition costs between thirty or fifty euros which is a hefty price for a book. An alternative is the audible edition which I used. Matt Godfrey as the narrator did a great job and helped the Caskey Family to come alive for me.
kennplume's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? No
5.0
smhrksvsdyskfp's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mbmartin42's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
audiobook_addict's review against another edition
5.0
The Most Epic read in a long long time.
If you like good dark Gothic fiction with characters you'll never forget, this one is for you. I can't put words to such an every pic read as this one. It has everything, thrills, chills, mystery, suspense, drama, and when you dive into this one, you'll not likely Come out until it dups you out at the bottom. My goal is to read all of Michael Mdowel's books, and this one was a great start. Grab this one, you won't regret it. Being from Alabama, growing up down that way, it was all familiar, and that made it all the more better. enjoy your stay in Perdido. You won't soon forget it.
If you like good dark Gothic fiction with characters you'll never forget, this one is for you. I can't put words to such an every pic read as this one. It has everything, thrills, chills, mystery, suspense, drama, and when you dive into this one, you'll not likely Come out until it dups you out at the bottom. My goal is to read all of Michael Mdowel's books, and this one was a great start. Grab this one, you won't regret it. Being from Alabama, growing up down that way, it was all familiar, and that made it all the more better. enjoy your stay in Perdido. You won't soon forget it.