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doomkittiekhan's reviews
508 reviews
The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The term "final girl" was coined by Carol J. Clover in her 1992 book Men, Women and Chainsaws. In it, she defined the character as the only woman left alive by the end of the movie and the only person left to tell the tales of terror they faced during their fight for survival.
Lynnette Tarkington is worried. Paranoid even. That's on a daily basis. But today, when she saw the news that her friend and fellow final girl, Adrienne Butler, had been murdered in her home and Adrienne's beloved Camp Red Lake was the scene of another camp massacre, Lynnette is downright freaking the fuck out. She immediately reaches out for support from Marilyn Torres, Dani Shipman, Heather DeLuca, and Julia Campbell who have been in group counseling together for years. They are all final girls. They know each other's stories and scars. They will look out for each other. They know how to survive. However, we quickly learn that there is tension in the ranks. Some of the "girls" (now women in their mid-30s to early 50s) want to move on with their lives. Some don't want to be labeled as "Final Girls" anymore. Hendrix gives each of these women detailed backstories without laying their trauma fresh. He shows how they were able to survive and what they have done with their lives. For example, one owns a horse sanctuary, one is a motivational speaker, one is a socialite who raises money for assorted charities. Yet all are still dealing with PTSD and rely, in some way, on the routine of their group sessions. And while Lynnette is still battling with her past and unable to move on, it now seems like she is going to be left behind. What happens when desperation takes hold, someone begins picking off the final girls, and we have an unreliable narrator to boot? It's a classic Grady Hendrix horror story.
This is a familiar story rooted in symbolism that catapults the reader to the bloody end with several comedic bumps along the way. Those that love horror movies with a final girl, and especially the ones highlighted indirectly in this book (Halloween, Friday the 13th, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Nightmare on Elm Street, and Scream) will find in Hendrix a kindred spirit. I especially loved the intertextual aspects of the book with each chapter beginning with notes from the group therapist, police reports from the final girls, passages from academic works on the nature of slashers, diary entries, and other assorted ephemera added a rich layer to the story.
'The Final Girl Support Group' is a fun take on the archetype of the Final Girl, and a hell of a read.
Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Edelweiss for gifting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Lynnette Tarkington is worried. Paranoid even. That's on a daily basis. But today, when she saw the news that her friend and fellow final girl, Adrienne Butler, had been murdered in her home and Adrienne's beloved Camp Red Lake was the scene of another camp massacre, Lynnette is downright freaking the fuck out. She immediately reaches out for support from Marilyn Torres, Dani Shipman, Heather DeLuca, and Julia Campbell who have been in group counseling together for years. They are all final girls. They know each other's stories and scars. They will look out for each other. They know how to survive. However, we quickly learn that there is tension in the ranks. Some of the "girls" (now women in their mid-30s to early 50s) want to move on with their lives. Some don't want to be labeled as "Final Girls" anymore. Hendrix gives each of these women detailed backstories without laying their trauma fresh. He shows how they were able to survive and what they have done with their lives. For example, one owns a horse sanctuary, one is a motivational speaker, one is a socialite who raises money for assorted charities. Yet all are still dealing with PTSD and rely, in some way, on the routine of their group sessions. And while Lynnette is still battling with her past and unable to move on, it now seems like she is going to be left behind. What happens when desperation takes hold, someone begins picking off the final girls, and we have an unreliable narrator to boot? It's a classic Grady Hendrix horror story.
This is a familiar story rooted in symbolism that catapults the reader to the bloody end with several comedic bumps along the way. Those that love horror movies with a final girl, and especially the ones highlighted indirectly in this book (Halloween, Friday the 13th, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Nightmare on Elm Street, and Scream) will find in Hendrix a kindred spirit. I especially loved the intertextual aspects of the book with each chapter beginning with notes from the group therapist, police reports from the final girls, passages from academic works on the nature of slashers, diary entries, and other assorted ephemera added a rich layer to the story.
'The Final Girl Support Group' is a fun take on the archetype of the Final Girl, and a hell of a read.
Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Edelweiss for gifting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
At the Mountains of Madness by H.P. Lovecraft
5.0
Two Disclaimers -
1) I love the Lovecraftian Mythos
2) I have never read a single H.P. Lovecraft story
Ok, how does that work? Well, here's the thing. When I was little my dad used to tell me abbreviated versions of Lovecraft stories at bedtime. So, I always *felt* like I knew them. As an adult I've played about every board game, card game, and RPG associated with the genre and it actually didn't occur to me to actually read a *real* story until this year. Dumb, I know.
But here's the deal. I loved it and reading this story brought back great memories of being scared to death as a kid. If you're new to Lovecraft, I highly recommend starting with At The Mountains Of Madness. Its a great introduction to the mythos and sets you up for the slow creeping horror that Lovecraft is known for. If you're not a sci-fi person and you are pretty sure you won't dig this type of thing, just give it a try. It's short. It will take you less than a weekend to read if you put your mind to it.
1) I love the Lovecraftian Mythos
2) I have never read a single H.P. Lovecraft story
Ok, how does that work? Well, here's the thing. When I was little my dad used to tell me abbreviated versions of Lovecraft stories at bedtime. So, I always *felt* like I knew them. As an adult I've played about every board game, card game, and RPG associated with the genre and it actually didn't occur to me to actually read a *real* story until this year. Dumb, I know.
But here's the deal. I loved it and reading this story brought back great memories of being scared to death as a kid. If you're new to Lovecraft, I highly recommend starting with At The Mountains Of Madness. Its a great introduction to the mythos and sets you up for the slow creeping horror that Lovecraft is known for. If you're not a sci-fi person and you are pretty sure you won't dig this type of thing, just give it a try. It's short. It will take you less than a weekend to read if you put your mind to it.
We Were Witches by Ariel Gore
5.0
It's problematic but I will keep coming back. Gore's writing is addictive and WWW weaves a picture of rejected norms and the need to create ritual and magic in our lives as a way to assert control all set against a backdrop of early 90s, third wave feminism, west-coast culture. Told in equal parts fiction and non-fiction this memoir of single motherhood is incredibly moving.
Silver Screen Fiend: Learning About Life from an Addiction to Film by Patton Oswalt
5.0
I was hooked from the moment I read his description of Van Gogh's Starry Night and The Night Cafe. Oswalt's descriptions of personal Night Cafes and finding oneself in the cold glow of the silver screen map his career into comedic stardom. Beautifully written. Definitely a book I would recommend to anyone in need of a laugh and perspective. Abundant with cult movie references that will thrill any aspiring film buff.
The Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russell
5.0
A great read for anyone curious about what makes the Danish way of living so appealing! I'm sure that I'm not alone in saying that I've jumped on the hygge bandwagon and am going a bit Scandi-crazy. I am always on the lookout for books inspired by Danish living. This one takes the cake...or Danish.... Unlike other books in this genre The Year of Living Danishly is told from the perspective of an outsider looking in and trying to figure out why the Danes are so damn happy!
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
5.0
My gateway drug into the world of Joan Didion. I found great comfort in this book after the death of my dad. Didion's secular approach to confronting grief is refreshing.
The Demonologist: The Extraordinary Career of Ed and Lorraine Warren by Gerald Brittle
4.0
I learned more about the early lives and pre-Amityville careers of the Warrens. Extremely interesting and informative. Also, much scarier cases discussed than previously known by me. Worth a read by anyone interested in the Warrens or in the evolution of 20th century "ghost-hunting" and paranormal research.
Funny in Farsi by Firoozeh Dumas
5.0
So cute! What a great coming-of-age memoir.
1) You'll learn that dads are the same everywhere
2) Persian ice cream sounds like the best thing on earth (and it is)
3) You will want to visit Iran
4) I highly recommend the audiobook
1) You'll learn that dads are the same everywhere
2) Persian ice cream sounds like the best thing on earth (and it is)
3) You will want to visit Iran
4) I highly recommend the audiobook
The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson
3.0
I'll be honest, as a horror fan I felt obligated to read this book. Please do not feel like you have to as well.
The Hike by Drew Magary
5.0
Hilarious, frustrating, frightening, and a tear-jerker (especially at the end). A must-read for those interested in the what-ifs, the alarming, and fans of The Twilight Zone.