Reviews

The Fisherman by John Langan

core13's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced

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

4.25

sipsandflicks's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

ethanlj's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

This was great. I was looking for something scary for Spooky Season. I'm not sure if I can be scared by books anymore, but it was creepy and chilling and evocative for sure. 

Spoilers:

I thought for sure that "The Fisherman" was going to be a Great Old One and that it would be fishing for human souls, using simulacrums that look like dead loved ones as lures, reversing the action of fishing and having the humans be the prey beneath the surface (from the perspective of the Great Old One). I think that would have been better and it seemed like Langan might have been setting that up? Anyway.

The storytelling reminded me a lot of Stephen King. Less conversational perhaps, but just a character telling a yarn that drags you in, without getting wrapped up in showy prose or look-at-me attention grabbing. Writing as a warm blanket, albeit one that became less comfortable as the novel wore on.  Loved it.

lydiasbooknook's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

3.25

robinmorriz's review against another edition

dark sad tense slow-paced

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

3.75

ismay345's review against another edition

2.0

2.5✨

djohan's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad 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

3.75

utopian_wanderer's review against another edition

5.0

I've read many books that could be considered horror, but this is the only book that had a 40-year-old scared to sleep alone. There's a scene, an image that will remain with me for a long time. A fantastic tale about Dutchman's Creek, beautifully written a complete joy to read.

My father has recently taken up trout fishing, when I accompany him, my eyes always linger on the depths.

tommi's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

hacthoun's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0