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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
Not really a horror novel but horrific nonetheless. A kind of painful, oppressive read - as intended, not due to bad writing. A meditation on community and what happens when community doesn't come together and when the individual waits for someone else to do the work of fighting back against community-destroying influences. But then also the destructive potential of a community collectively enraged. The ending felt abrupt and not believable in the context of the rest of the story, but Samson sure knows how to write mood and evoke strong emotions.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
2.5 stars. This should have, could have been a phenomenal short story. As a novel it is just too slow. I feel like the Moore’s gave away their last possession 15 different times.
At first, this book made me angry. How can people just sit by and allow a charlatan to show up one day and dazzle them with fancy words and big ideas; and a supposed knowledge of money then just take everything away from them? How can one man just weasel his way into their town, their police force, their politics, their weak-minded and bullies? How could he raise so much support? How could someone who is so evil, so awful rise to such power without ANYONE fighting back? They all just expected it to blow over or for someone "more learned" than them to step up. But no one did. How can this happen?!
Then I stepped back and looked at our own charlatan that worked his way into our towns with fancy words, big ideas, and knowledge of money. The one that infiltrated the weak-minded and bullies.
...
...
...
...Oh.
Then I stepped back and looked at our own charlatan that worked his way into our towns with fancy words, big ideas, and knowledge of money. The one that infiltrated the weak-minded and bullies.
...
...
...
...Oh.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book touches on themes of freedom vs safety and the unfortunate consequences of progress and modernization. These themes were relevant in the 1970s and they are still relevant today.
However, I did not enjoy this book. It was a slow burn that never really ignited into a flash fire. I enjoy stories with unlikeable characters but I hated the feeble minded, pathetic characters who were willing to roll over on their backs and give away everything. This wasn’t a case of a frog in a pot where the water slowly comes to a boil. The townspeople of Harlowe were completely aware of what was happening and just let it happen.
There also wasn’t enough characterization done in my opinion. Perley is supposed to be this super charming guy and that’s what makes people warm up to him so quickly. But there’s only really one scene where we see that happen.
Overall this book wasn’t completely terrible and I do enjoy a slow burn story. But in my opinion it lacks something to fully develop the metaphor it’s supposed to be.
However, I did not enjoy this book. It was a slow burn that never really ignited into a flash fire. I enjoy stories with unlikeable characters but I hated the feeble minded, pathetic characters who were willing to roll over on their backs and give away everything. This wasn’t a case of a frog in a pot where the water slowly comes to a boil. The townspeople of Harlowe were completely aware of what was happening and just let it happen.
There also wasn’t enough characterization done in my opinion. Perley is supposed to be this super charming guy and that’s what makes people warm up to him so quickly. But there’s only really one scene where we see that happen.
Overall this book wasn’t completely terrible and I do enjoy a slow burn story. But in my opinion it lacks something to fully develop the metaphor it’s supposed to be.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very atmospheric, great dialogue
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I saw this book recommended somewhere, a few years ago, and it’s been on my TBR ever since. The TBR jar finally coughed it up, and I went in completely blind.
It’s hard to say I enjoyed this story because there is no joy to be found within the pages. But it was well written and I would definitely recommend it. It’s not a fast paced story, and it has no ghosts or demons. It’s not going to startle you or make you look under your bed. But it’s haunting and dark, and a there’s a sense of helplessness and futility that grows with the story.
The Auctioneer is well written and considered a classic for a reason.
Four ghosties: 👻👻👻👻
It’s hard to say I enjoyed this story because there is no joy to be found within the pages. But it was well written and I would definitely recommend it. It’s not a fast paced story, and it has no ghosts or demons. It’s not going to startle you or make you look under your bed. But it’s haunting and dark, and a there’s a sense of helplessness and futility that grows with the story.
The Auctioneer is well written and considered a classic for a reason.
Four ghosties: 👻👻👻👻
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Could have been a novella and still wouldn’t have had enough substance to warrant a hundred pages.