Scan barcode
A review by unhinged_geminii
The Ruins by Scott Smith
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Warning: Whoa there mister — Scott Smith really didn’t hold back on the misogyny with this one. Believe me, you’ll know what I’m talking about if you decide to pick this up. There are multiple gratuitous scenes regarding a particular female character.
The first 75% of the book dragged on, since nothing much happened, but I was invested enough by the unique premise of the book that I stuck through. Literally was 3 days or so worth of internal monologues of these highly unlikable characters.
The women were one-dimensional helpless damsels in distress. I like to joke that one brain cell was divided amongst the two women and one other character. There was not one neuron to spare for these characters and how ridiculous they were responding to their surroundings throughout the novel.
Jeff and Matthias were fully fleshed out, with very specific personalities. They were the dependable, quick, intelligent, book-smart and street-smart ones. Even Eric, despite his many fears and flaws, had an abundance of backstory and insight as to why he responds the way he does.
There was only one other person in my book club that finished this book, and they agree that if the WHOLE book was more like the last 25% then it would have been a much more enjoyable read.
I now clearly understanding why people have so many mixed emotions about this one. I enjoyed the unique antagonist , how cynical and depraved the tone of the book was, but unfortunately the misogyny was unforgivable and unwarranted.
I highly recommend watching the 2008 film with Jena Malone and Johnathan Tucker. The actors are all perfectly cast, and I enjoyed the pacing and character decisions way more than in the book. Most all of the misogynistic streak was sifted out, and the women in the film were way more compelling and multi-dimensional.
The first 75% of the book dragged on, since nothing much happened, but I was invested enough by the unique premise of the book that I stuck through. Literally was 3 days or so worth of internal monologues of these highly unlikable characters.
The women were one-dimensional helpless damsels in distress. I like to joke that one brain cell was divided amongst the two women and one other character. There was not one neuron to spare for these characters and how ridiculous they were responding to their surroundings throughout the novel.
Jeff and Matthias were fully fleshed out, with very specific personalities. They were the dependable, quick, intelligent, book-smart and street-smart ones. Even Eric, despite his many fears and flaws, had an abundance of backstory and insight as to why he responds the way he does.
There was only one other person in my book club that finished this book, and they agree that if the WHOLE book was more like the last 25% then it would have been a much more enjoyable read.
I now clearly understanding why people have so many mixed emotions about this one. I enjoyed the unique antagonist , how cynical and depraved the tone of the book was, but unfortunately the misogyny was unforgivable and unwarranted.
I highly recommend watching the 2008 film with Jena Malone and Johnathan Tucker. The actors are all perfectly cast, and I enjoyed the pacing and character decisions way more than in the book. Most all of the misogynistic streak was sifted out, and the women in the film were way more compelling and multi-dimensional.