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4.43 AVERAGE
4.43 AVERAGE
This was freaking beautiful. I don't even know how this particular epic made it onto my reading list, but I'm glad it did--the character development alone had me even in the long spells between the horror elements and the croc-mermaids that I presumably came for. A stunning read that's impressively queer for as old as it is (and as old as the setting is). Points for not softening the racism of the era it's set in while also including Black characters with names, personalities, and arcs of their own.
I came across this book being reviewed on Instagram so just went ahead and ordered it not knowing anything about it or the author. I'm so glad I did! I thoroughly enjoyed this book, was worried that due to its size it wouldn't be as good as I hoped but I absolutely loved it
I really enjoyed this story. This is my first book by this author, and I would love to read more by him. He did an incredible job creating the characters, including minor ones, as well as illustrating family dynamics. The narrator was great too.
I didn't expect to love this as much as I did. It's more about the story of a family than horror though there is some supernatural sprinkled in and a few gory scenes. I've read a couple of his other books but this is by far my favorite.
I can't believe how much I enjoyed this book. Just picked it up randomly on sale on Audible and I think this is my favorite book of all the books I've read in the past decade. It's like E.L. Doctorow (think Ragtime) meets Stephen King. I feel like the book is about mortality. I was very emotional at the end (mainly because it ended).
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
So I finished it, this monster of an audiobook
Y'all it got emotional at the end there.
This is listed in the horror section, and there are some creepy bits absolutely but like 20 % of the whole is creepy
I actually got this to listen to last Halloween but went with something different, if you chose this for your horror listening pleasure I am sure you would be disappointed.
But if you went in this for Southern Gothic family drama then this might be the best bet.
It has everything a natural disaster in the form of a horrific flood, a well to do family running a mill of all things, an old maid sister (whose name is Sister), domineering mother, an effeminate uncle, an eligible bachelor and a mysterious woman who just shows up in the flood.
I don't think I have read southern family done better then here, there is definitely a horror aspect right away we know the new woman in town, Elinor is not human but is she bad? does she plan harm it all plays out as we go through the lifetime of this family.
Spoiler
What I found interesting was Elinor could be terrifying and does do terrifying things but to me Marylove was the most evil of all and every new scheme shocked me to my core left me hating her more and more, I was mad at how she was not punished for all her machinations and hatefulness, and when she did get hers to me it was not enough. As a mother she disgusted me.
The narration was fantastic, was really well done.
Makes me think twice before going into a river ever again, I will you tell what
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Backwater was one of the most satisfying books I have read in my life. I'll place it up there with The Stand and Elric: Song of the Black Sword. The book which was compiled from six novellas I spread over the last 10 months to read, helped the book stick with me and was like a friend I could get back together and spend some time with whenever I liked. I also switched on and off from reading and listening to the audiobook. I'll do this for future longer books as I really think it enhanced my experience with Backwater. I haven't said anything about the story, read another review for that. It is a wonderful southern gothic saga about a family living through supernatural and quite regular happenings. I came to love every member of the family as McDowell took time and care to build all of them. My only warning is do not go into Blackwater expecting a scary, horror novel, go into it expecting an amazing family story with many surprises both good and bad.