momster13's review against another edition
4.0
Such a crazy story! Well written account (some terms are outdated since this was published in 1989l
mollyangstman's review against another edition
Gross. Not my pick, had to read for book club...
stormlightreader's review against another edition
4.0
A quick and easy to read true crime book which gives you a good overview of the community in rural Wisconsin, before, during, and after Ed Gein’s crimes. I found myself appreciating how well Schechter introduces the reader to the surroundings and the people of Wisconsin. However, when it comes to writing about Gein, Schechter is straight to the point and does not embellish. This book has been on my true crime TBR for a while and it didn’t disappoint.
readbyashleyd's review against another edition
dark
informative
slow-paced
5.0
It never fails to blow my mind how truly fucked up serial killers are and I think Gein is in a realm of his own. No he didn’t kill that many but wasn’t what he did almost worse? Desecrating graves and bodies and making the most gruesome creations. So many stories have been based on Gein and they’re each disturbing in their own right but you can’t get more disturbed than the original. It gives me shivers thinking about him preparing all his lamps and bowls and decorations. Such things are just unthinkable to me and it’s even more horrifying because it’s a true story and not a made up horror story.
drew1013's review against another edition
4.0
A quick and well-written true crime book for Halloween time. Schechter really is good at giving you a sense of place and time, of the community in rural Wisconsin, before, during, and after Ed Gein’s horrific crimes.
There were several moments when the writing stood out as especially good. Shockingly good, in the way that I had to stop and appreciate the descriptions and imagery.
I’d heard good things about Schechter from the Last Podcast on the Left guys, and he didn’t disappoint.
There were several moments when the writing stood out as especially good. Shockingly good, in the way that I had to stop and appreciate the descriptions and imagery.
I’d heard good things about Schechter from the Last Podcast on the Left guys, and he didn’t disappoint.
xxstefaniereadsxx's review against another edition
dark
informative
slow-paced
4.0
This book is featured on The Last Podcast On The Left Reading List (Episodes 172-174, Ed Gein). This book is about Ed Gein, who was a serial killer active in the late 1950s. Gein inspired several of our favorite slasher characters, from Norman Bates to Leatherface. While his victim count was relatively small for a serial killer of this renown, his bizarre life has embedded itself into popular memory. Harold Schechter is a great crime writer, and I am looking forward to reading his other books. They have been highly suggested to me.