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Нелюдим by Стрэнk
necrabelle's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-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
billymac1962's review against another edition
2.0
A couple of years ago I read Strand's novel Pressure, and at last count, I am still the lone reviewer to have given that a one-star rating.
I simply couldn't buy into the main character's actions.
It was enough to put me off him, but then Dweller came along, and again I couldn't ignore the praises heaped upon it.
I guess I'm the only one around here who doesn't love his works. I'll give him this: he does pace his stories extremely well, and I did burn through both of his novels because I had to see how things would pan out (and because of the plethora of 5-star reviews here).
But there is one thing I cannot get past, and this has driven me nuts through both of his novels:
His lead characters are IDIOTS.
How in the name of God can you possibly excuse a character for forgiving an animal for ripping apart and eating his girlfriend? Unbridled love?
Okay, maybe...but later on when Owen is fighting another monster, if you had such unconditional love for something, would you suddenly marvel at the coolness of seeing two monsters fight?
It doesn't add up.
And then bringing your SON into the picture??? Okay, take those necessary precautions, and then we'll lift those one by one and see how that goes...
IDIOT!
I can tolerate characters with faults, but I can't tolerate character traits that make no sense.
I'm rating this one 2, because I did like the story flow, but with characters I simply can't buy into, I can't see me reading him again.
I simply couldn't buy into the main character's actions.
It was enough to put me off him, but then Dweller came along, and again I couldn't ignore the praises heaped upon it.
I guess I'm the only one around here who doesn't love his works. I'll give him this: he does pace his stories extremely well, and I did burn through both of his novels because I had to see how things would pan out (and because of the plethora of 5-star reviews here).
But there is one thing I cannot get past, and this has driven me nuts through both of his novels:
His lead characters are IDIOTS.
Spoiler
How in the name of God can you possibly excuse a character for forgiving an animal for ripping apart and eating his girlfriend? Unbridled love?
Okay, maybe...but later on when Owen is fighting another monster, if you had such unconditional love for something, would you suddenly marvel at the coolness of seeing two monsters fight?
It doesn't add up.
And then bringing your SON into the picture??? Okay, take those necessary precautions, and then we'll lift those one by one and see how that goes...
IDIOT!
I can tolerate characters with faults, but I can't tolerate character traits that make no sense.
I'm rating this one 2, because I did like the story flow, but with characters I simply can't buy into, I can't see me reading him again.
hectaizani's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. It's a horror, coming-of-age story about a boy and his monster. It had so many moods, there was humor, pathos, fear, terror, and more. I felt for Toby and just adored Owen even though he had talons as long as my arm and thick, yellow teeth the better for biting off my head in one gulp. I even shed a tear or two at the end. I'm not sure what it was about it that made it so great maybe it was because it was unique in my experience. I've never read anything quite like it.
I received a complimentary Audible copy from the author in return for an honest review. I was pretty sure I was going to like it because I'm a fan of Jeff Strand's work but I wasn't expecting to be taken on quite such a wild ride. The narrator was terrific, even if I did think that Toby always sounded pretty whiny, but it totally fit in with his character.
I received a complimentary Audible copy from the author in return for an honest review. I was pretty sure I was going to like it because I'm a fan of Jeff Strand's work but I wasn't expecting to be taken on quite such a wild ride. The narrator was terrific, even if I did think that Toby always sounded pretty whiny, but it totally fit in with his character.
dethklok1985's review against another edition
5.0
I LOVED this book! It went in so many directions that I didn't expect but it was a great adventure the whole way through. My favorite book my Jeff Strand yet.
alexandrabree's review against another edition
4.0
First Jeff Strand novel, I have two more sitting on my shelf just waiting for some free time.
I really like the first quarter of the book, grabbed you right away, total page turner.
Then there was a bit of a shift and I started to get some Jeffery Dahmer weirdo vibes from Toby. Was a little disappointed at the lack of monster exploration for this bit, there's kind of a sub plot that starts up, I saw the twist and the ending of that mini bit a mile away.
Then it picked up again and got more interesting and almost got onto the same page turning action pace as the beginning
Ending was good, a little sad which fit perfectly with our main character who was a little sad man in a little sad life. Overall pretty great creature feature
I really like the first quarter of the book, grabbed you right away, total page turner.
Then there was a bit of a shift and I started to get some Jeffery Dahmer weirdo vibes from Toby. Was a little disappointed at the lack of monster exploration for this bit, there's kind of a sub plot that starts up, I saw the twist and the ending of that mini bit a mile away.
Then it picked up again and got more interesting and almost got onto the same page turning action pace as the beginning
Ending was good, a little sad which fit perfectly with our main character who was a little sad man in a little sad life. Overall pretty great creature feature
blatdriver's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this.
This was not your typical monster story, so much more heart-breaking than I expected, but also some great funny moments.
The writing was excellent and fast and easy to read, this was my first by Jeff Strand, but it will not be my last.
This was not your typical monster story, so much more heart-breaking than I expected, but also some great funny moments.
The writing was excellent and fast and easy to read, this was my first by Jeff Strand, but it will not be my last.
ameserole's review against another edition
3.0
Dweller was a pretty easy book to devour. In it, you will meet Toby. In some ways, he could be considered the boy who cried wolf but that's because his parents didn't believe he really saw anything creature-like. So he does any normal little boy would do in this situation - seek out the creature and become friends with it.
Enter Owen, the creature. Now their relationship was a bit odd throughout the entire book. At times, I didn't really know if I should be happy, sad, or completely creeped out by it all. I can say that I was impressed with how easy their friendship was though.
It was definitely touch and go for me because I didn't really connect with anyone or the actual story. I did like what happened to the bullies though. In the end, it was a quick book to fly through which is a plus in my eyes.
Enter Owen, the creature. Now their relationship was a bit odd throughout the entire book. At times, I didn't really know if I should be happy, sad, or completely creeped out by it all. I can say that I was impressed with how easy their friendship was though.
It was definitely touch and go for me because I didn't really connect with anyone or the actual story. I did like what happened to the bullies though. In the end, it was a quick book to fly through which is a plus in my eyes.
sanddanz's review against another edition
5.0
Jeff Strand's latest mass market release, Dweller, follows the life of a boy named Toby as he matures and ages. At the start, Toby is an eight year old boy who likes to explore the woods. One day he walks a bit deeper into the woods than his parents allow him, stumbles into a "monster", and runs! Seven years later, at age fifteen, Toby is dealing with the trauma of being tormented by the bullies at school and with being an outcast, and he still spends much of his time in the woods when not at school. One day he happens upon a cave and discovers the "monster" that he thought was created by his childhood imagination once again. Instead of running this time, Toby tries talking to him. The "monster" doesn't attack and Toby starts to visit him regularly, bringing him food, telling him stories, naming him Owen, and ultimately becoming best friends with him. Of course, can being friends with a creature such as Owen truly end well?
Dweller is noted as being Jeff Strand's second "serious" novel. However, I was pleasantly surprised that this release featured much more of Strand's humor than his previous release, Pressure, did. As stated above, the book is written over the course of numerous years, but is written in a format where certain years are focused upon. The other years are covered by chapters titled "glimpses" which feature snapshots from the years in between. This is a unique technique that I hadn't seen before, as most books just jump forward ten or twenty years, leaving the reader guessing at what occurred in the middle. Strand allows us to experience Toby's life as it progresses with these special chapters, and we watch Toby graduate, move out from home, get married, and so on. At the same time, we watch the continued friendship between Toby and Owen progress. So far this isn't sounding too much of a horror novel, now is it? Think again! There is a very dark storyline mixed within that will leave readers shocked. I would say more, but doing so may spoil the surprise. Let's just say that Owen doesn't JUST like ice cream for a treat! For readers who have yet to enjoy the works of Jeff Strand, Dweller is a great first book to read as it explores many elements of Strand's writing style. Many of his books are extremely humorous. In contrast, Pressure is dark and serious. Dweller, on the other hand, mixes these styles up and Strand churns out a story that is unforgettable. Highly recommended!
Contains: Adult Language, Adult Situations, Mild Violence, Mild Gore
Review also posted at http://monsterlibrarian.com
Dweller is noted as being Jeff Strand's second "serious" novel. However, I was pleasantly surprised that this release featured much more of Strand's humor than his previous release, Pressure, did. As stated above, the book is written over the course of numerous years, but is written in a format where certain years are focused upon. The other years are covered by chapters titled "glimpses" which feature snapshots from the years in between. This is a unique technique that I hadn't seen before, as most books just jump forward ten or twenty years, leaving the reader guessing at what occurred in the middle. Strand allows us to experience Toby's life as it progresses with these special chapters, and we watch Toby graduate, move out from home, get married, and so on. At the same time, we watch the continued friendship between Toby and Owen progress. So far this isn't sounding too much of a horror novel, now is it? Think again! There is a very dark storyline mixed within that will leave readers shocked. I would say more, but doing so may spoil the surprise. Let's just say that Owen doesn't JUST like ice cream for a treat! For readers who have yet to enjoy the works of Jeff Strand, Dweller is a great first book to read as it explores many elements of Strand's writing style. Many of his books are extremely humorous. In contrast, Pressure is dark and serious. Dweller, on the other hand, mixes these styles up and Strand churns out a story that is unforgettable. Highly recommended!
Contains: Adult Language, Adult Situations, Mild Violence, Mild Gore
Review also posted at http://monsterlibrarian.com
scottmh's review against another edition
4.0
Such a wonderful surprise! I had no idea what to expect and loved a lot of it.
cheesygiraffe's review against another edition
4.0
Toby is best friend's with a monster. Owen takes care of Toby's problems by eating them. He cares more about Owen then anybody else in his life. Which for a long time includes no one. But as he gets married and has kids, he tells his son about Owen. When his wife finds out that's the end of their marriage and his rights as a father. In the end the he dies a lonely old man but for Owen. I enjoyed this very much. I can imagine Toby and Owen being real. Jeff Strand do a great job with this book.