stacymania's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.75
rouge_red's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
4.25
Hilarious and weird in the best way possible. Do I know if the apocalypse is actually a thing or a character's delusion? Nope. But is this book a funny and strange little romp nonetheless? Absolutely. I love the underlying feeling of menace throughout, especially the part with Julia and the cab driver. I love Essex's descending emo attitude. And I love that when we have characters react rationally and try to leave Halloran House....it just won't work. Mysterious fog, creepy hedge maze, pins in photographs and a snake that materializes out of nowhere? Just great.
thaatswhatsheread's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
jessicaboor's review against another edition
4.0
Although the book can be classified as horror, it was so interesting too see Shirley's dark humour playing its parts in showcasing the family dynamics and their thoughts regarding life. It's set in a mansion, as the family has old money, and discusses how these people live in their own bubbled reality, yet they are not fully satisfied, thinking that in this new world to come, without the village people around ('the low class'), they are to be happier and more fulfilled. For me, it was so well written, clever, scary and funny that the book became a journey I got to experience along this family waiting for their doomsday. And Shirley constantly teases the reader between doubting and believing that indeed this day will come, which is already interesting by itself.
nooralala's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
dylankakoulli's review against another edition
2.0
Not my favourite Jackson, but still a wicked -and wryly written, darkly dysfunctional -if slightly jarring at times, comedic tale !
“If my lunacy takes the form of desiring to wear a crown, will you deny me? May I not look foolish in tolerant peace? ”
AMEN SISA !!
2.5 stars
“If my lunacy takes the form of desiring to wear a crown, will you deny me? May I not look foolish in tolerant peace? ”
AMEN SISA !!
2.5 stars
h1914's review against another edition
3.0
"In all life there is hope but of course it will not last much longer."
chooper454's review against another edition
1.0
After loving ‘We Have Always Lived in the Castle’, I ran out and got all of her other books at once. ‘Road Through the Wall’ was one of the worst books I’ve ever read. It should have been foreshadowing for ‘The Sundial.’ This is absolutely horrible. I’m so angry I wasted precious hours of my life on this. Jackson wrote her older books in a way that is impossible to tell what the hell is going on. There are WAY too many characters, and some of them are referred to by different names throughout. We never get a clear explanation of who exactly these people are to each other. Jackson’s dialogue is absolute TORTURE to get through. It’s just utter nonsense. The premise of the story sounded really good, but as seems to be typical of Jackson, the execution fell short. Very, very short. I have no idea how this got published. Don’t waste your time.