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A review by misslittlelady
Bird Box by Josh Malerman
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I recently listened to Bird Box by Josh Malerman, narrated by Cassandra Campbell, and it was an intense, gripping experience. As always with Campbell's narration, I needed a bit of a warm-up period. Her voice doesn’t immediately draw me in, and it typically takes me 20 to 30 minutes to settle into her style. However, since this was my second time listening to the book, I didn’t feel like I was missing anything during that initial adjustment. Once I got into it, I really enjoyed her portrayal of Malorie. Campbell’s narration gave me a clear mental image of Malorie that felt distinct from how she’s depicted in the movie (definitely not Sandra Bullock for me). One downside, though, was the limited versatility in her character voices. Campbell generally has about two or three voices each for male and female characters, which sometimes made it hard to differentiate between them, especially in scenes with a lot of dialogue. Despite that, her pacing was spot on and kept me focused throughout, preventing my mind from wandering.
As for the plot, Bird Box is fantastic! The balance between psychological thriller and horror is just right, and it kept me hooked from beginning to end. I found myself empathizing with Malorie on so many levels. The central question of how to raise children in a world of fear was especially compelling—do you shelter them in fear, or do you instill a sense of tough love, teaching them to be strong and cautious? I also really enjoyed the alternating timelines between the present and the past. It kept the narrative dynamic and made me eager to see how both timelines would unfold. The story had me on edge, waiting to find out what would happen next.
I’d definitely recommend this audiobook. I finished it in just two sittings and was so eager to start the sequel, Malorie, right afterward. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat, with its tense atmosphere and relentless suspense. Whether you’ve seen the movie or not, the audiobook is a must-listen for any thriller or horror fan!
As for the plot, Bird Box is fantastic! The balance between psychological thriller and horror is just right, and it kept me hooked from beginning to end. I found myself empathizing with Malorie on so many levels. The central question of how to raise children in a world of fear was especially compelling—do you shelter them in fear, or do you instill a sense of tough love, teaching them to be strong and cautious? I also really enjoyed the alternating timelines between the present and the past. It kept the narrative dynamic and made me eager to see how both timelines would unfold. The story had me on edge, waiting to find out what would happen next.
I’d definitely recommend this audiobook. I finished it in just two sittings and was so eager to start the sequel, Malorie, right afterward. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat, with its tense atmosphere and relentless suspense. Whether you’ve seen the movie or not, the audiobook is a must-listen for any thriller or horror fan!