Reviews

Gli aghi d'oro by Michael McDowell

lily_alybaba's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

5.0

sandygx260's review against another edition

3.0

I read this book many years ago and revisted it this summer.

This book is the bridge between McDowell's first two novels and his amazing book "Elementals" which bridged onto his wonderful "Blackwater" series. This series is one of the best Southern gothic horror series ever.

Unrelenting in descriptions of poverty and torment, which makes the read not one for the squeamish.

More of a revenge novel rather than a horror novel but still, a great progression beyond his first two novels. Dark whispers of the majesty to come.

ary3's review

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

annaacenc's review against another edition

adventurous funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No

4.5

francichessa's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

3.0

melloooowww's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.25

It was LONG, very long, far too long for very little in the end. The plot is interesting, the characters are interesting, but the descriptions are so long that you never really get into the story. You get the impression that you're a spectator but too much so, the third person narrative prevents the characters from developing and you end up reading a big description of actions that sounds more like a stage script than a real story. 

The fact that everyone dies in the last 20 pages is frustrating, you don't expect it and the way they die, the so expected revenge, isn't even as impressive as expected.

It's a book with some very good ideas and a very masterful context, but it leaves you wanting more.

_onebookatatime's review

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

emmadnl's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

vivianafascia's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

fra_ci90's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

McDowell writing is smooth and he is good at setting an immersive atmosphere. The plot is quite intriguing until halfway through the book, afterwards it becomes a bit dull.

it’s a bit disappointing that the ending is what it is, I think  a twist/something unexpected would have been beneficial to the book  or even just a more nuanced “victory “ of the Shanks. Also poor Ellen, that felt unnecessary.

 
All in all an entertaining book, where the historical background and the setting is more interesting than the plot itself.