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3.19 AVERAGE
3.19 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Whoa imagine my face when I'm reading the acknowledgements and Donna Tartt makes an appearance! 😱
I enjoyed this more than I thought I was going to, even when I got to the second part and was really questioning if I wanted to continue. I would not say this is horror, but more so has horror elements that really help establish this story. As you continue to dive into the plot, which is very slow burn, the horror also dissipates and becomes more of a steady mystery. I enjoyed the writing and how Darnielle creates scenes you can really feel yourself in.
Although it did feel like the story lost itself for a couple pages in the middle, where everything was just a tad bit too confusing, it really does come together in the end. This is definitely a book I want to reread, knowing everything that is going to happen because I do think it would create an even better experience. I am excited to pick up Darnielle's other books if the writing in those are at all similar to the writing in this.
I enjoyed this more than I thought I was going to, even when I got to the second part and was really questioning if I wanted to continue. I would not say this is horror, but more so has horror elements that really help establish this story. As you continue to dive into the plot, which is very slow burn, the horror also dissipates and becomes more of a steady mystery. I enjoyed the writing and how Darnielle creates scenes you can really feel yourself in.
Although it did feel like the story lost itself for a couple pages in the middle, where everything was just a tad bit too confusing, it really does come together in the end. This is definitely a book I want to reread, knowing everything that is going to happen because I do think it would create an even better experience. I am excited to pick up Darnielle's other books if the writing in those are at all similar to the writing in this.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
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I liked this book a lot for what it was--a meditation on loss and midwestern smalltown life, NOT a conventional thriller. I think ultimately Darnielle's ideas are better suited as ballads than books, but he sure knows how to write prose.
The transitions and fairly short time we spent with each character worked surprisingly well. Darnielle can build a believable character in just a few words, as evidenced by his songwriting. It definitely limited the scope of the characterization in a way that was a bit disappointing for me, though.
I think this quote from the novel says a great deal about the motivations of the central character (who I don't think we heard enough from, incidentally):
"That’s what pictures are for, after all: to stand in place of the things that weren’t left behind, to bear witness to people and places and things that might otherwise go unnoticed."
I liked this book a lot for what it was--a meditation on loss and midwestern smalltown life, NOT a conventional thriller. I think ultimately Darnielle's ideas are better suited as ballads than books, but he sure knows how to write prose.
The transitions and fairly short time we spent with each character worked surprisingly well. Darnielle can build a believable character in just a few words, as evidenced by his songwriting. It definitely limited the scope of the characterization in a way that was a bit disappointing for me, though.
I think this quote from the novel says a great deal about the motivations of the central character (who I don't think we heard enough from, incidentally):
"That’s what pictures are for, after all: to stand in place of the things that weren’t left behind, to bear witness to people and places and things that might otherwise go unnoticed."
this book was just ok, and it kind of hurts to write that.
the premise was so good, and i feel like it just didn't follow through on the potential.
the premise was so good, and i feel like it just didn't follow through on the potential.
Had a good atmosphere and I enjoyed the writing style. I didn’t know it was meant to be a horror book until reading reviews after I finished, so I didn’t have expectations for what I was getting into. I actually enjoyed this book subverting my initial assumption that it was going to be an analog horror story like many I’ve seen before. The book is not long at all, so it’s “nothing really happens” quality doesn’t overstay its welcome. Part 1 and Part 3 kept me really engaged and I enjoyed reading them. Part 2 I found a little tedious and feel the information could have been conveyed in a better way.
I loved Wolf in White Van, and the writing here was well done, but I felt let down by the only parts that were gripping.
dark
mysterious
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:
Complicated
gave me nightmares about middle America for a week.
the narrative structure highlighted how important the tapes were and humanity's complicated relationship with wanting to help. and I really liked that.
just sort of a weird one. not sure if i missed what the tapes were all about or if not saying what the deal was with them highlighted the theme of "mind your own damn business". i guess it was a mix of Sarah Jane's tapes and the investigator's tapes?
the narrative structure highlighted how important the tapes were and humanity's complicated relationship with wanting to help. and I really liked that.
just sort of a weird one. not sure if i missed what the tapes were all about or if not saying what the deal was with them highlighted the theme of "mind your own damn business". i guess it was a mix of Sarah Jane's tapes and the investigator's tapes?
slow-paced