Scan barcode
owenwilsonbaby's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.75
"They have to become their own people in order to remain people, in any meaningful sense. I see that now."
This would have scored higher if I felt the main sections of the book set at Yarlings had been tonally consistent with the beginning and ending of the book, which were fantastic. In the same vein as Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House, experiencing a 'haunting' here seems to be contending with obstructive grief and trauma. Unlike Hill House, this novel has a vested interest in hauntology and the weird, as well as what's been lost to neoliberalism, etc. Although the novel feels lost or slow in parts, and the characters outside of Tim's family occasionally feel less developed, the ending helps tie the book together in a very strong way - MacLean has a fantastic grasp of gothic terror and is a very skilled writer.
This would have scored higher if I felt the main sections of the book set at Yarlings had been tonally consistent with the beginning and ending of the book, which were fantastic. In the same vein as Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House, experiencing a 'haunting' here seems to be contending with obstructive grief and trauma. Unlike Hill House, this novel has a vested interest in hauntology and the weird, as well as what's been lost to neoliberalism, etc. Although the novel feels lost or slow in parts, and the characters outside of Tim's family occasionally feel less developed, the ending helps tie the book together in a very strong way - MacLean has a fantastic grasp of gothic terror and is a very skilled writer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Grief, Stalking, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Abortion
Minor: Child abuse
More...