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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
As a novel: good.
Posing it as a real diary written about a real house: bad.
The unbelievability of the author, in that sense, is horrible. No one writes a diary that builds in suspense and foreshadows other events.
Posing it as a real diary written about a real house: bad.
The unbelievability of the author, in that sense, is horrible. No one writes a diary that builds in suspense and foreshadows other events.
Note to any potential future readers: this is clearly not a real diary and, also clearly, not written by Stephen King. Please adjust your expectations accordingly.
It was really fun for me to read this spin-off of one of my favorite movies. I was initially a bit concerned because the characters were created by Stephen King and I didn't know if Pearson could live up to that but overall it was enjoyable.
It was really fun for me to read this spin-off of one of my favorite movies. I was initially a bit concerned because the characters were created by Stephen King and I didn't know if Pearson could live up to that but overall it was enjoyable.
Really lost interest when I found out this was a tie-in with a TV show and not a standalone novel - just wasn’t invested enough to keep going. (Also haven’t watched the show, so didn’t really have that going for me either!)
I had meant to read this years ago after the mini-series came out, but just never got around to it. Having read it now, I preferred the mini-series to the book, but that doesn't mean I disliked it! It just means that the mini-series worked in ways that the book fell a bit short.
Some stories work within the context of the diary trope, some don't. This didn't work quite as well, because you lose some of the horror aspects to the one-dimensional writing that the diary style brings to the table. While it perhaps could have worked using a different voice, that voice Ellen Rimbauer just didn't bring the scary aspects across very well. I found what she had to say interesting, I read straight through the book without stopping because I wanted to see what happened, but she wasn't always the most engaging narrator. The story could have benefited from the perspective of others as well, such as her husband and her best friends/confidants, but that wasn't what the writer intended so Ellen is what we get!
I'm now interested in rewatching them mini-series again too. It's been a lot of years, and I remember liking it quite a lot. I think it will be a nice continuation of the story for me and will perhaps give me a bit more perspective that I felt myself lacking with the "diary" alone.
Some stories work within the context of the diary trope, some don't. This didn't work quite as well, because you lose some of the horror aspects to the one-dimensional writing that the diary style brings to the table. While it perhaps could have worked using a different voice, that voice Ellen Rimbauer just didn't bring the scary aspects across very well. I found what she had to say interesting, I read straight through the book without stopping because I wanted to see what happened, but she wasn't always the most engaging narrator. The story could have benefited from the perspective of others as well, such as her husband and her best friends/confidants, but that wasn't what the writer intended so Ellen is what we get!
I'm now interested in rewatching them mini-series again too. It's been a lot of years, and I remember liking it quite a lot. I think it will be a nice continuation of the story for me and will perhaps give me a bit more perspective that I felt myself lacking with the "diary" alone.
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this book literally slayyyedd
like actually tho it was a really good book
like actually tho it was a really good book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
I started reading the book not really expecting it to be a "horror" or a "haunted" book... but by the end of the book, it did leave me a little spooked.
Interesting read :3
Interesting read :3
I really enjoyed this novel. The diary entry style was interesting to experience and I loved Ellen. I have loved her and Sukeena from the first time I watched Rose Red, and seeing them through the pages of this novel was amazing.
There was more focus on the Rimbauers and how the house came to be which was SO fascinating to me. The house seems to have become alive quite early on and we don't really get the almost motivation (?) behind the house in the mini series and we get theories in the novel from Ellen.
I quite like that we had Madam Lu in the novel; ahe was a welcome surprise for me. I feel like we got almost nothing from Madame Stravinski but what we got was SO GOOD. And Sukeena! Ugh she was utterly fantastic. I loved all the ladies honestly.
There was more focus on the Rimbauers and how the house came to be which was SO fascinating to me. The house seems to have become alive quite early on and we don't really get the almost motivation (?) behind the house in the mini series and we get theories in the novel from Ellen.
I quite like that we had Madam Lu in the novel; ahe was a welcome surprise for me. I feel like we got almost nothing from Madame Stravinski but what we got was SO GOOD. And Sukeena! Ugh she was utterly fantastic. I loved all the ladies honestly.
You all remember the popular Stephen King mini-series that aired earlier this year on ABC under the auspicious title of Rose Red: the story of a group of “gifted people” who, with the help of Joyce Reardon, venture into the old abandoned mansion known as Rose Red, where within they come in contact with the supernatural, though in no way that has ever been televised before. But what happened to the former occupants of the house? The ghosts that now dwell within, what were their lives like? Well here’s your answer. For the first time ever the diary of Ellen Rimbauer has been released to the public, giving her life story and how it was fraught with pain and loss, and how Rose Red eventually drove her insane. My only suggestion to the read would be: it’s okay to leave the light on if you want to.
Originally published in July/August 2002.
For over 500 book reviews, and over 40 exclusive author interviews (both audio and written), visit BookBanter.
Originally published in July/August 2002.
For over 500 book reviews, and over 40 exclusive author interviews (both audio and written), visit BookBanter.
