A review by thatweirdbookgirlie
The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-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

4.5

Based loosely on the case of Sylvia Likens, this tells the tale of the nextdoor neighbor boy David who becomes a witness to the abuse of Meg (the niece taken in by Ruth after her parents die). This was utterly heartbreaking. It's hard to know how to feel about David, who never actively participates in the abuse but also is too afraid to say anything to anyone until close to the end. This book is not for the faint of heart, as Ketchum describes much of the abuse (and the lead up to the most horrific moment---you'll know when you read it).
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