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tubz99's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a basically The Beach by Alex Garland meets Jack Ketchum's The Girl Next Door.
Let me just start off by saying that I am a horribly sensitive and empathetic person so I get easily attached to characters and emotionally involved in their lives. So I tend to avoid books like these because I know exactly where they’re headed…tears. But since this was provided to me through Harper Collins First Look Program (which is super cool!), I just had to start it right away.
This book was haunting and disturbing as you’d expect any other cult/commune story to be. It’s told as a memory through the protagonist Green, who narrates her story of growing up at Foxelowe, a commune like utopia created by a hand few of people. The first half is her looking back and the second of her in the present. I’d get confused a lot with ages and frames but aside from those minor details, the book was quiet a page turner. The narration is insightful and well written with dark elements of despair hidden behind such innocence. It kept me going even though I could guess where it would end and even then it left me in a state of defeat because no amount of wishing could prevent the inevitable. The diction used in the book is easy to grasp but most of the characters seize to be memorable. The ones I personally held feelings for, either feelings of anger or empathy, were Toby, Green, Blue and Freya. Freya’s character is someone who scares me more than any monster ever could because what makes her so frightening is the fact that she’s so real and people like her exist in this world.
I struggled a lot with my feelings towards the protagonist Green. Instead of empathizing with her like I felt I should have, I mostly felt frustrated and angry at her. It was hard to grasp her train of thought at times, where her mind was and how exactly Freya appeared in her eyes. The character that stuck to me the most was her little sister Blue.
Though Green’s voice in the first half is much different from the second, indicating a stark change in character, her actions and thoughts remain the same, which left me disappointed. Not necessarily disappointed in Wasserburg but in Green’s character. Before starting the book, my expectations of Green were much different than how she turned out to be. These expectations were instead reflected in Blue. This I thought was very interesting. For the story to be told from someone who is so dependent on a “utopia” like Foxlowe because it’s the only life she’s ever known, it really brings out the insightful harrowing nature of cults. Her brokenness is definitely reflected through the writing. I will say however that I still somewhat lack an understanding of the overall message of the book and wish there could have been more answers about the creation of Foxlowe, background on characters and at times, better dialogue.
Foxlowe is not a book I would recommend to just anyone. The last few pages were a difficult read for me and due to its dark and sensitive subject matter, I’d suggest only those brave enough to pick this book up haha. Despite, having said that, I did enjoy reading it especially because I’m picky with my readings. I got more than I bargained for with this one.
Let me just start off by saying that I am a horribly sensitive and empathetic person so I get easily attached to characters and emotionally involved in their lives. So I tend to avoid books like these because I know exactly where they’re headed…tears. But since this was provided to me through Harper Collins First Look Program (which is super cool!), I just had to start it right away.
This book was haunting and disturbing as you’d expect any other cult/commune story to be. It’s told as a memory through the protagonist Green, who narrates her story of growing up at Foxelowe, a commune like utopia created by a hand few of people. The first half is her looking back and the second of her in the present. I’d get confused a lot with ages and frames but aside from those minor details, the book was quiet a page turner. The narration is insightful and well written with dark elements of despair hidden behind such innocence. It kept me going even though I could guess where it would end and even then it left me in a state of defeat because no amount of wishing could prevent the inevitable. The diction used in the book is easy to grasp but most of the characters seize to be memorable. The ones I personally held feelings for, either feelings of anger or empathy, were Toby, Green, Blue and Freya. Freya’s character is someone who scares me more than any monster ever could because what makes her so frightening is the fact that she’s so real and people like her exist in this world.
I struggled a lot with my feelings towards the protagonist Green. Instead of empathizing with her like I felt I should have, I mostly felt frustrated and angry at her. It was hard to grasp her train of thought at times, where her mind was and how exactly Freya appeared in her eyes. The character that stuck to me the most was her little sister Blue.
Though Green’s voice in the first half is much different from the second, indicating a stark change in character, her actions and thoughts remain the same, which left me disappointed. Not necessarily disappointed in Wasserburg but in Green’s character. Before starting the book, my expectations of Green were much different than how she turned out to be. These expectations were instead reflected in Blue. This I thought was very interesting. For the story to be told from someone who is so dependent on a “utopia” like Foxlowe because it’s the only life she’s ever known, it really brings out the insightful harrowing nature of cults. Her brokenness is definitely reflected through the writing. I will say however that I still somewhat lack an understanding of the overall message of the book and wish there could have been more answers about the creation of Foxlowe, background on characters and at times, better dialogue.
Foxlowe is not a book I would recommend to just anyone. The last few pages were a difficult read for me and due to its dark and sensitive subject matter, I’d suggest only those brave enough to pick this book up haha. Despite, having said that, I did enjoy reading it especially because I’m picky with my readings. I got more than I bargained for with this one.
jen1988's review against another edition
Green grew up a commune, she doesn’t know hardly anything about the outside world, Foxlowe and The Family are all she knows. From the very first chapter we are drawn into the darker side of life in Foxlowe, we are told about the ‘Spike Walk’ a line of nails along the wall which they have to draw their arm along as they pass and then turn around at the end and go back down. This is the punishment; it’s also to drive out the Bad, a force which is believed in as strongly as a devout Christian believes in God and the devil. Within Foxlowe this isn’t considered wrong, it’s the norm. From that moment on we are drawn into Green’s life at Fowlowe. The story is compelling and quickly you find you’ve got to the end but not unscathed.
Without spoiling too much of this story, at one point we are taken to the present moment, then back to the story in the past and although you know something is going to happen slowly, slowly you are drawn closer and closer to it but like that door in a horror film the ghoul hides behind, you can’t resist turning the page to find out what happened.
And then the end! I did not see that come although in hindsight it makes a lot of sense.
I would recommend Foxlowe to anyone who doesn’t mind the darker side of fiction; it’s not the darkness of horror stories but the darkness of the human mind and soul. Realism not magic. For those who like a story with impact. This should win awards really, it’s an amazing book. I loved this book, it had everything that I love and look for: it’s compelling and there are realistic characters you care about/hate. An atmospheric style that’s a pleasure to read. And the ability to grasp your attention and not let go until the final page.
Without spoiling too much of this story, at one point we are taken to the present moment, then back to the story in the past and although you know something is going to happen slowly, slowly you are drawn closer and closer to it but like that door in a horror film the ghoul hides behind, you can’t resist turning the page to find out what happened.
And then the end! I did not see that come although in hindsight it makes a lot of sense.
I would recommend Foxlowe to anyone who doesn’t mind the darker side of fiction; it’s not the darkness of horror stories but the darkness of the human mind and soul. Realism not magic. For those who like a story with impact. This should win awards really, it’s an amazing book. I loved this book, it had everything that I love and look for: it’s compelling and there are realistic characters you care about/hate. An atmospheric style that’s a pleasure to read. And the ability to grasp your attention and not let go until the final page.
patsypoo's review against another edition
4.0
Yet another book I really liked but filing it under the "enjoyable" category seems inappropriate.
[b:Foxlowe|28455716|Foxlowe|Eleanor Wasserberg|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1452007837s/28455716.jpg|48589723] tells the story of Green, a young girl who's beenbrainwashed raised in a small commune, living in an abandoned stately home somewhere in the Midlands. The cult is lead by Freya, who's a despicable and very disturbed woman. There are another half a dozen adults and two other children.
This is a very dark and sinister novel but I found it extremely compelling. It was very interesting to read about the relationships of the children inside Foxlowe and their views of the outside world. Other readers have criticised the lack of certain details. However, I felt that this aspect of the story gave it more credibility, given who the narrator is and her lack of social understanding, her cloudy impression of acceptable behaviour and limited experience of the world we live in. All this is perfectly illustrated at the very end of the book, which sent shivers down my spine.
The one niggle I had with it was the weirdly punctuated dialogue. Even at the very end I still had to re-read bits sometimes, because the chosen punctuation left me confused.
But I'd still recommend Foxlowe, a great read for those who like dark and disturbing stories.
[b:Foxlowe|28455716|Foxlowe|Eleanor Wasserberg|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1452007837s/28455716.jpg|48589723] tells the story of Green, a young girl who's been
This is a very dark and sinister novel but I found it extremely compelling. It was very interesting to read about the relationships of the children inside Foxlowe and their views of the outside world. Other readers have criticised the lack of certain details. However, I felt that this aspect of the story gave it more credibility, given who the narrator is and her lack of social understanding, her cloudy impression of acceptable behaviour and limited experience of the world we live in. All this is perfectly illustrated at the very end of the book, which sent shivers down my spine.
The one niggle I had with it was the weirdly punctuated dialogue. Even at the very end I still had to re-read bits sometimes, because the chosen punctuation left me confused.
But I'd still recommend Foxlowe, a great read for those who like dark and disturbing stories.
pixe1's review
4.0
Very good. Interesting plot but with characters that felt incredibly human and were treated with compassion.
almostsummer's review against another edition
4.0
Very dark, well written. More about abuse and mental illness than anything cultish.
3wilcotroad's review
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
readdrinkandbehappy'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? Yes
2.5
kellyloubishop's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Addiction, Torture, Alcohol, and Religious bigotry
comfortable_with_uncomfortable's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
0.5
Regarding the actual read: Difficult read due to writing style, changes in narration not clearly delineated and you could be several pages into the next chapter before you would know which perspective you were looking through. Several times I would go back and start the chapter over so I could keep a grasp on the story line (abysmally fractured though it was).
Regarding content matter: absolutely traumatizing and dark following this wretched little tale. A frighteningly accurate depiction of raising a child with no structure in a toxic environment and the eventual outcome of the mental instability of said child. This is a recipe for creating a psychopath. This book left me feeling physically ill after reading it and gave me nightmares for days. Even 12 months after reading it I am disconcerted by it and it leaves a heavy feeling in my soul. 10/10 do NOT recommend.
Regarding content matter: absolutely traumatizing and dark following this wretched little tale. A frighteningly accurate depiction of raising a child with no structure in a toxic environment and the eventual outcome of the mental instability of said child. This is a recipe for creating a psychopath. This book left me feeling physically ill after reading it and gave me nightmares for days. Even 12 months after reading it I am disconcerted by it and it leaves a heavy feeling in my soul. 10/10 do NOT recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Emotional abuse, Death, Gaslighting, Child death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Child abuse
Moderate: Abandonment, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Mental illness
Off grid/ communal living/ cult