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3.19 AVERAGE
3.19 AVERAGE
This started off as a promising horror novel with a Stephen King feel and nostalgia for the late 90s as it centers around an independent video store. But it goes absolutely no where. I've seen quite a bit of buzz about this one and first saw it on a list of upcoming horror novels. It isn't a horror novel. It really isn't much of anything.
tender and full of mounting dread, no less than i'd expect from mr. darnielle
This was such an interesting and unnerving story. Darnielle's experimentation with POV and time in this book makes it worth reading. My biggest disappointment is that I wish it had turned out to be scarier. It was deeply unsettling, but I wanted it to be more.
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Wish I would have read the reviews first. such a bore, like a few others on here I too am glad I checked it out from the library instead of purchasing it. The writing & imagery was wonderful but god, the plot!! what the hell did I just read. And no real actual mention of the reason for the footage spliced on the tapes, no mention of how/why Lisa managed to hook Sarah Jane in for weeks. Jeremy was such a dud. I forced myself to finish this.
A short, certainly odd book. I’m not sure wholly what to think. It was intriguing and kept my attention, but also felt a little pretentious and like it was putting on airs. I probably give this book more leeway than it deserves, since my husband is from Ames. Many of Darnielle’s observations on Iowans felt very true. You will likely know what I mean when I say that this felt like a book written by a musician (which, of course, it was).
Meh. This book had so much promise at the beginning and then it not only lost momentum, but also seemed to switch in style. That being said it was a very readable book, but it doesn't give the payoff it implies at the beginning. I am not sure why people have filed this book as horror. It is just standard literary fiction with a mildly sinister premise that turns out to be not that sinister and not that surprising.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Just creepy enough for me...it gets less and less creepy as the story evolves, but I found it satisfying overall.