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treestostars's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
malice's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
So incredibly captivating. This book will never leave my thoughts. The writing fit the story so perfectly and the parallells are incredible.
Stubbled upon it by accident.
Stubbled upon it by accident.
chickflix's review
1.0
I don't really want to give this book a 1 star rating because I liked the writing style and it flowed in a great way, but the story was so forgettable to me that I just finished reading it and am not sure what happened. Two authors had some conversations. One of them might have had a magical pen???
charshorrorcorner's review
5.0
4.5/5
The Devil's Own Work is a beautifully written, subtly told Faustian tale, which the narrator performs perfectly.
A man relates the story of his friend, Edward, and how he became a famous and successful writer. A writer who, although he writes many words, ultimately has nothing of substance to say. Further along, we discover that Edward inherited a manuscript from a recently deceased author named Tyrell. With that manuscript he also seems to have inherited a beautiful, ageless woman named Eudoxy.
As the story unfolds, we learn more about the manuscript, (which only can be read one letter at a time, because to try to see an actual word results in the reader seeing gibberish.) It's when this manuscript falls into Edward's hands that he suddenly becomes successful. Is that because of the manuscript itself, or because of the mysterious Eudoxy? You'll have to read this to find out!
This novella length story is tight and slow to build. There isn't necessarily a denouement, but instead a growing realization of horror and what is truly involved. If you are a reader expecting a lot of action, this isn't the tale for you. However, if you have a love of language and precise storytelling, AND this premise sounds intriguing to you, I highly recommend you give The Devil's Own Work a try. It probably won't provoke any screams or shouts of terror from you, but I bet it will give you a bad case of the heebies-jeebies.
Highly recommended!
*This audiobook was provided free of charge by the narrator, in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*
The Devil's Own Work is a beautifully written, subtly told Faustian tale, which the narrator performs perfectly.
A man relates the story of his friend, Edward, and how he became a famous and successful writer. A writer who, although he writes many words, ultimately has nothing of substance to say. Further along, we discover that Edward inherited a manuscript from a recently deceased author named Tyrell. With that manuscript he also seems to have inherited a beautiful, ageless woman named Eudoxy.
As the story unfolds, we learn more about the manuscript, (which only can be read one letter at a time, because to try to see an actual word results in the reader seeing gibberish.) It's when this manuscript falls into Edward's hands that he suddenly becomes successful. Is that because of the manuscript itself, or because of the mysterious Eudoxy? You'll have to read this to find out!
This novella length story is tight and slow to build. There isn't necessarily a denouement, but instead a growing realization of horror and what is truly involved. If you are a reader expecting a lot of action, this isn't the tale for you. However, if you have a love of language and precise storytelling, AND this premise sounds intriguing to you, I highly recommend you give The Devil's Own Work a try. It probably won't provoke any screams or shouts of terror from you, but I bet it will give you a bad case of the heebies-jeebies.
Highly recommended!
*This audiobook was provided free of charge by the narrator, in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*
ctgt's review
4.0
In the old-school horror vein of an [a:M.R. James|2995925|M.R. James|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1254798756p2/2995925.jpg], no outright gore just subtlety, atmosphere and suggestion. An invitation from a world famous author to the man who just penned a scathing critique of his latest work, is the basis of the story. As we move through the tale it becomes apparent that all is not as it seems and the authors' success is directly related to an ancient manuscript. Add in a mysterious woman who is associated with the author and the enigmatic story deepens.
I listened to the audiobook after an online discussion with the narrator, Matt Godfrey and he suggested I give this a try. I have to say I was impressed with his narration, it was exactly what the story needed, nuanced and subtle while at the same time engaging. Well worth the few dollars I spent for the audiobook.
7/10
I listened to the audiobook after an online discussion with the narrator, Matt Godfrey and he suggested I give this a try. I have to say I was impressed with his narration, it was exactly what the story needed, nuanced and subtle while at the same time engaging. Well worth the few dollars I spent for the audiobook.
7/10
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