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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
As far as "school reads" go, this was definately something new and different. It sort of has the same feel as the Landlady by Roald Dahl in that they both tell of those who have been brought in by sadistic killers, and they both leave you with room to imagine parts of the outcome.
dark
mysterious
tense
adventurous
fast-paced
I'm not a massive fan of short stories but wow. I didn't expect to get so sucked into this. I love reading this for fun, avoiding studying this in school.
I think enough has been written about this without me adding my own input. The discussion about reason, the ideas of human strength, the ethical questions this story raises (I mean, the hunt was pretty fair but so wrong), the way this story builds up. Amazing.
what I'm taking with me
• How to finish a short story with one perfect last sentence. Damn.
• If a guy is randomly kind to you, there's a big chance he wants to hunt you.
• I want to hear more about Ivan and his story.
I think enough has been written about this without me adding my own input. The discussion about reason, the ideas of human strength, the ethical questions this story raises (I mean, the hunt was pretty fair but so wrong), the way this story builds up. Amazing.
what I'm taking with me
• How to finish a short story with one perfect last sentence. Damn.
• If a guy is randomly kind to you, there's a big chance he wants to hunt you.
• I want to hear more about Ivan and his story.
This is one of those random little short stories that I somehow managed not to read in high school, and then just never got around to. My teenage brother read it for high school not too long ago, and I was reminded that it had been something I wanted to read, especially after how excited my brother was when he was telling me he about reading it for school (we have very similar tastes). I definitely wasn't disappointed.
As far as classics go this one was definitely fun. I have a soft spot for classic short stories when they get into this weird dark area. The final sentence is the kind of short story twist I live for. I wouldn't say I was "surprised" by any of the twists in this very twisty story, as it has been parodied by just about everything and everyone, but they were still an absolute delight to read. Obviously parts of it were a little uncomfortable due to the dated nature of the story, but it was a matter of remembering when it was written and moving on to enjoy the rest of the story.
This is definitely one of the classic short stories that's worth a read. If you like short stories (especially darker ones), if you enjoy any of the many parodies, or if you need to read this for school anyway, it's definitely worth checking out.
As far as classics go this one was definitely fun. I have a soft spot for classic short stories when they get into this weird dark area. The final sentence is the kind of short story twist I live for. I wouldn't say I was "surprised" by any of the twists in this very twisty story, as it has been parodied by just about everything and everyone, but they were still an absolute delight to read. Obviously parts of it were a little uncomfortable due to the dated nature of the story, but it was a matter of remembering when it was written and moving on to enjoy the rest of the story.
This is definitely one of the classic short stories that's worth a read. If you like short stories (especially darker ones), if you enjoy any of the many parodies, or if you need to read this for school anyway, it's definitely worth checking out.
This was available via the SFF Audio Podcast 105. This was an enjoyable classic - the ultimate hunt with human prey. It has been copied numerous time since this was released by numerous SciFi shows. Apart from that, there was very little SciFi in the story.
i was one of the only people in my class that didn't really enjoy this story.
a great short story that i read in high school and revisited during many late-night conversations in college.
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 !