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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
~3.5 stars~
The Haar is a good read for those looking for a little bit of supernatural in their horror. Plus, it's gritty!
The story is well written and offers some gruesome moments and feelings of hopelessness, whether it be in the population of Muriel's small fishing village being bought/ran out by a big developer, or in the story that follows in the introduction of... whatever that is.
When reading this tale, you'll find yourself thinking, "what in the...?"
The Haar is a good read for those looking for a little bit of supernatural in their horror. Plus, it's gritty!
The story is well written and offers some gruesome moments and feelings of hopelessness, whether it be in the population of Muriel's small fishing village being bought/ran out by a big developer, or in the story that follows in the introduction of... whatever that is.
When reading this tale, you'll find yourself thinking, "what in the...?"
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Muriel is one of the last few residents of a coastal Scottish town who is in resistance to billionaire Patrick Grant’s New Development. “The Haar” is everything I’ve ever wanted: gross, weird, unsettling body horror paired with a great sense of humor (seriously so fucking hilarious). It is satisfaction sprinkled with romance. Grief and memory and letting go were also major themes. Compared to other horror I’ve read, there was barely a sense of dread throughout.
Muriel (and Arthur!) is an endearing badass. She is steadfast in protecting what she loves and has a beautiful character arc.
Fuck billionaires. Money isn’t real and Muriel not selling out makes this book one of my all time favorites. I really enjoyed Patrick Grant’s demise, how everything played out. This book was a great commentary on the colonial state of the world and a critique of capitalism—i just wish more people were on Muriel’s side!
The Bianca Del Rio shoutout was great. She’s funny as hell. If this book were a movie the final scene should end with “I Love You Always Forever” by Donna Lewis.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail
Super fun and way more heartfelt and moving than it had any right to be. This is my first read from this author but I can't wait to check out the rest of his stuff.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If you’re into goopy, coastal, Scottish horror folk then this is for you