A review by ashleylm
Beast in View by Margaret Millar
4.0
This was a real page turner for me. I liked the quality of the prose, it had a modernist, dry, spare tone that was easy to sink into and typical of the period. I was reminded a bit of Patricia Highsmith, if you've read her.
Because it's approximately 70 years old now, some of the incidents/characterizations/attitudes seem quaint, but that's to be expected. I was pleased to see a gay character rather prominently displayed (and seemingly unapologetic) which was nice, though, given the 1950s, not out-and-proud as we'd have now.
The mystery element was fairly unsurprising (I called it during chapter two, essentially, in most details) but it was still a fun, suspenseful read anyrway (I still enjoy Hamlet and I know what's going to happen).
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
Because it's approximately 70 years old now, some of the incidents/characterizations/attitudes seem quaint, but that's to be expected. I was pleased to see a gay character rather prominently displayed (and seemingly unapologetic) which was nice, though, given the 1950s, not out-and-proud as we'd have now.
The mystery element was fairly unsurprising (I called it during chapter two, essentially, in most details) but it was still a fun, suspenseful read anyrway (I still enjoy Hamlet and I know what's going to happen).
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!