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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
I just read this again for my Honors Lit class and loved it yet again. So twisted and dark and so good.
I gave it a 3 state because it was very predictable and didn't surprise me at all.
This was a good short story that was well written. It had me intrigued and appalled with the General. I wish there was more and explanations were made about what our main character did after conclusions were made. Overall, highly recommended reading this one.
"There is no greater bore than perfection."
Rainsford should really have figured out that he was going to be involved in the "game" the moment the General told him what it was. Also, how does this island even have the name of "Ship Trap Island" if no one escapes from it alive? This was made into a film adaptation (one of several) in 1932; even as I was reading it, before I knew there was a film, I could see it in my head as an old black and white film. Zaroff is of course a monster but it possible to see how he got to his point of thinking: if the whole point of sport-hunting is the sport then eventually you'll have to "upgrade" to a harder target and, as humans like to boast, nothing can match human ingenuity and reason...except human ingenuity and reason.
This story was, for some reason, at the beginning of the copy of [b:I Have the Right to Destroy Myself|797192|I Have the Right to Destroy Myself|Young-Ha Kim|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1328874887s/797192.jpg|783162] that I borrowed from the library. I haven't yet read that book so I'm not sure whether or not that's intentional or whether this is some kind of printing error.
Rainsford should really have figured out that he was going to be involved in the "game" the moment the General told him what it was. Also, how does this island even have the name of "Ship Trap Island" if no one escapes from it alive? This was made into a film adaptation (one of several) in 1932; even as I was reading it, before I knew there was a film, I could see it in my head as an old black and white film. Zaroff is of course a monster but it possible to see how he got to his point of thinking: if the whole point of sport-hunting is the sport then eventually you'll have to "upgrade" to a harder target and, as humans like to boast, nothing can match human ingenuity and reason...except human ingenuity and reason.
This story was, for some reason, at the beginning of the copy of [b:I Have the Right to Destroy Myself|797192|I Have the Right to Destroy Myself|Young-Ha Kim|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1328874887s/797192.jpg|783162] that I borrowed from the library. I haven't yet read that book so I'm not sure whether or not that's intentional or whether this is some kind of printing error.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Spine-chilling.. nerve-racking.. hair-raising !
“The world is made up of two classes - the hunters and the huntees.”
[a:Richard Connell|90864|Richard Connell|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1257006308p2/90864.jpg] is the hunter here and he hunts us down and makes us like his brilliantly crafted story, [b:The Most Dangerous Game|2060482|The Most Dangerous Game|Richard Connell|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1347313134s/2060482.jpg|151586], which is, and with no surprise seeing the adaptations done on screen, an ideal cinematic plot.
The 'Ahaa!' moments
The precision, the pace and the picturesqueness
Although its truly a short story, it is complete in its structure and build-up and that is what is its USP. Connell successfully designs both the primary characters to the point that even their bad actions seem justifiable.. such is the precision in expression by the author which not just help the readers identify with the on-going action, it keeps them engrossed. The pace with which the events occur keep you on your toes and the calculative coldness of General Zaroff and the desperate urge to see through the fear of Rainsford and the duel between the two, which keeps the balance tilting either ways, is breath-takingly beautiful.
Another commendable aspect of this short story is Connell's excellent cinematographic vision of the story.. he makes you feel the intensity of the situation with minute yet strong and subtle references like his thoughtful use of the color red which changes its shade as the story progresses from blood warm waters of the sea to Ivan's crimson sash to red-lipped smile of Zaroff which eventually leads way to extreme pitch black darkness during the hunting sequence. The way Connell explains the whole scene in a minimalist verbose way just constructs a picture in front of your eyes giving it a top-notch cinematic class.
The 'Naah!' moments
The lead-way and the weird sign-off..
Even in this perfect picture there were a few prominent blemishes.. starting up was with the extremely weird description of how Rainsford fell of the yacht and reached the island. It was more hilarious than being anywhere close to the mood that the story set in.
Another thing that did not fit in was the weird way the story ended. How did Rainsford get back to where he got back especially from the situation he was in ? It all made no sense and Connell did fumble big time there IMO. The whole build up which had reached its zenith by then did drop a few notches for me because of the abrupt jerkiness at the very end.
BUT,
This one is an experience.. an experience which keeps you on your toes, sends you the chills and makes sure you hold on to your heartbeats with utmost care. [a:Richard Connell|90864|Richard Connell|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1257006308p2/90864.jpg] in all sincerity deserves all the accolades for penning not just a story but alluring shades of an emotion through his exposition of the beautifully etched out characters and the superbly crafted scenario. Never once does he go over the line to make the story scary for the sake of it.. he delivered maximum with minimum and accurate set of words.
Indeed, how man acts on his instincts, be it for killing or living, is highlighted with exhilaration here. Whenever the animal inside the human rises like the werewolf on a full-moon night, fear is at its ominous best.. it can either then make you or break you !
“The world is made up of two classes - the hunters and the huntees.”
[a:Richard Connell|90864|Richard Connell|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1257006308p2/90864.jpg] is the hunter here and he hunts us down and makes us like his brilliantly crafted story, [b:The Most Dangerous Game|2060482|The Most Dangerous Game|Richard Connell|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1347313134s/2060482.jpg|151586], which is, and with no surprise seeing the adaptations done on screen, an ideal cinematic plot.
The 'Ahaa!' moments
The precision, the pace and the picturesqueness
Although its truly a short story, it is complete in its structure and build-up and that is what is its USP. Connell successfully designs both the primary characters to the point that even their bad actions seem justifiable.. such is the precision in expression by the author which not just help the readers identify with the on-going action, it keeps them engrossed. The pace with which the events occur keep you on your toes and the calculative coldness of General Zaroff and the desperate urge to see through the fear of Rainsford and the duel between the two, which keeps the balance tilting either ways, is breath-takingly beautiful.
Another commendable aspect of this short story is Connell's excellent cinematographic vision of the story.. he makes you feel the intensity of the situation with minute yet strong and subtle references like his thoughtful use of the color red which changes its shade as the story progresses from blood warm waters of the sea to Ivan's crimson sash to red-lipped smile of Zaroff which eventually leads way to extreme pitch black darkness during the hunting sequence. The way Connell explains the whole scene in a minimalist verbose way just constructs a picture in front of your eyes giving it a top-notch cinematic class.
The 'Naah!' moments
The lead-way and the weird sign-off..
Even in this perfect picture there were a few prominent blemishes.. starting up was with the extremely weird description of how Rainsford fell of the yacht and reached the island. It was more hilarious than being anywhere close to the mood that the story set in.
Another thing that did not fit in was the weird way the story ended. How did Rainsford get back to where he got back especially from the situation he was in ? It all made no sense and Connell did fumble big time there IMO. The whole build up which had reached its zenith by then did drop a few notches for me because of the abrupt jerkiness at the very end.
BUT,
This one is an experience.. an experience which keeps you on your toes, sends you the chills and makes sure you hold on to your heartbeats with utmost care. [a:Richard Connell|90864|Richard Connell|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1257006308p2/90864.jpg] in all sincerity deserves all the accolades for penning not just a story but alluring shades of an emotion through his exposition of the beautifully etched out characters and the superbly crafted scenario. Never once does he go over the line to make the story scary for the sake of it.. he delivered maximum with minimum and accurate set of words.
Indeed, how man acts on his instincts, be it for killing or living, is highlighted with exhilaration here. Whenever the animal inside the human rises like the werewolf on a full-moon night, fear is at its ominous best.. it can either then make you or break you !
adventurous
fast-paced
The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell-- Welcome to A Series of Short Stories they probably made you read in high school! I remember this one making me so tense I read ahead of the group in class. Happy Reading!
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
This plot had SOOO much potential, I wish this was a bigger story.
