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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
"A midwestern town. You know its name. You were born there."
"That's not the way it works around here. You remember."
"You already know about him."
No, I wasn't born there; I don't remember; I don't know about him.
I found this book to be confusing. I had a hard time retaining anything because of the lack of information. I'm sure plenty of people like this style, but it's not for me. Tons of classic novels are written like this, and I didn't like any of those. The plot is great. The writing isn't exactly bad. It just isn't my style.
"That's not the way it works around here. You remember."
"You already know about him."
No, I wasn't born there; I don't remember; I don't know about him.
I found this book to be confusing. I had a hard time retaining anything because of the lack of information. I'm sure plenty of people like this style, but it's not for me. Tons of classic novels are written like this, and I didn't like any of those. The plot is great. The writing isn't exactly bad. It just isn't my style.
3 stars to this fun Halloween themed horror with an unforgettable character-The October Boy.
I’ve been seeing this book mentioned a lot as a great Halloween read and I can totally understand why. The story of a town that has a very unique Halloween tradition that is hiding something much more sinister is perfect for this time of year!
It went in a direction I didn’t expect, but I really liked that and am happy it did. It may seem like a straight forward story at first, but it twists and turns and has you questioning who you’re rooting for.
I wasn’t a fan of the narrative style, as it really pulled me out of the story quite a few times, hence why it wasn’t quite a four star read for me.
If you’re looking for a good story to kick off your spooky season, or a short novel to read on Halloween, this would be a great pick!
I’ve been seeing this book mentioned a lot as a great Halloween read and I can totally understand why. The story of a town that has a very unique Halloween tradition that is hiding something much more sinister is perfect for this time of year!
It went in a direction I didn’t expect, but I really liked that and am happy it did. It may seem like a straight forward story at first, but it twists and turns and has you questioning who you’re rooting for.
I wasn’t a fan of the narrative style, as it really pulled me out of the story quite a few times, hence why it wasn’t quite a four star read for me.
If you’re looking for a good story to kick off your spooky season, or a short novel to read on Halloween, this would be a great pick!
A fast-paced thriller about a town where teenage boys hunt down a homegrown pumpkin-headed monster. What seems like a straightforward tale of good vs. evil turns into a riveting allegory of sons sacrificed for the sins of their fathers. If you like Halloween-themed quick reads, definitely pick up this one.
dark
mysterious
medium-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:
No
This was a really quick listen. I was only interested in it because the movie popped up on Netflix as recommended, and as I was watching the beginning credits, I saw something that always hooks me. "Based on the book 'Dark Harvest' by Norman Partridge". Say no more Netflix!! Why am I like this?! If something is made into a movie from a book, I can't resist! Even if the movie or the book doesn't initially interest me. I'm weird I guess.
Anywhoooo, so yeah. Movie and book are both good, but this is about the book. Halloween meets Hunger Games, basically. The good thing about it being relatively short is, it gets to the point. It doesn't waste a lot of time setting the scene of the town, the people in the town, etc. Although it's short, you definitely learn all that and more, which I find quite amazing to be able to do in under 200 pages. This story reminds me of an episode of Supernatural: "Scarecrow", which had a somewhat similar premise. It was probably inspired by this story/book.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
The story was interesting but it doesn't explain much. I want to know WHY what is happening is happening, because it is never explained. Also, no explanation of why people kill others for no reason at all and how that doesn't deplete the town to the point of being non-existent. If that would have been told (or at least hinted at), it would definitely have had a higher rating for me. But, as it stands, it is too vague for me to give it more than 3 stars.
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Without fail, virtually every Recommended Halloween Reads list I see that's worth its salt mentions Dark Harvest, a Bram Stoker Award winner and World Fantasy Award nominee. Any time I ask, or see somebody else asking, for some Halloween recommendations, Dark Harvest invariably comes up. It's one of those titles that is considered a classic by many, a mandatory October read. High time that I read it, then.
And you know what?
I freaking loved Dark Harvest. Presuming I don't suffer any serious blows to head anytime soon, the next time somebody asks me for some Halloween reading recs I'm pretty damn sure Dark Harvest is going to be at the top of my list. Norman Partridge has written an essential Samhain story, and the October Boy is a quintessential piece of Halloween.
Right from this novella's opening pages, I was sucked in. Partridge's authorial voice is mightily effective, the writing tight and hypnotic. The first few pages are devoted to corn stalks withering and weeds growing - in less capable hands, this stuff would not be even the least bit attention grabbing and yet Partridge demands your full attention, luring you in as he breathes life into the October Boy, a supernatural scarecrow-like being with with a carved pumpkin head. Every year, the October Boy comes to life, hunting the teenage boys of a small town and hacking his way through those hunting him in return. Rest assured, there's a bit more going on here, but I won't spoil the details.
For the entire duration of Dark Harvest, I found myself lost in Partridge's narrative. I didn't want to leave his story world. I could not and did not put the book down until I was finished. It's incredibly rare that I'm able to read anything of a substantial page count in a single sitting, and yet I did so with Dark Harvest. I don't even remember the last time something like that happened. Given the insurmountable nature of my TBR pile, I don't allow myself the luxury of re-reading my favorites, and yet I'm already anticipating cracking this book open again come next October.
Dark Harvest is an award winner, a classic according to more than a few, a must-read Halloween treat. Turns out, there's a damn good reason for that. Partridge has given us one hell of a bounty with this particular harvest, one that I suspect is going to keep on giving year after year.
And you know what?
I freaking loved Dark Harvest. Presuming I don't suffer any serious blows to head anytime soon, the next time somebody asks me for some Halloween reading recs I'm pretty damn sure Dark Harvest is going to be at the top of my list. Norman Partridge has written an essential Samhain story, and the October Boy is a quintessential piece of Halloween.
Right from this novella's opening pages, I was sucked in. Partridge's authorial voice is mightily effective, the writing tight and hypnotic. The first few pages are devoted to corn stalks withering and weeds growing - in less capable hands, this stuff would not be even the least bit attention grabbing and yet Partridge demands your full attention, luring you in as he breathes life into the October Boy, a supernatural scarecrow-like being with with a carved pumpkin head. Every year, the October Boy comes to life, hunting the teenage boys of a small town and hacking his way through those hunting him in return. Rest assured, there's a bit more going on here, but I won't spoil the details.
For the entire duration of Dark Harvest, I found myself lost in Partridge's narrative. I didn't want to leave his story world. I could not and did not put the book down until I was finished. It's incredibly rare that I'm able to read anything of a substantial page count in a single sitting, and yet I did so with Dark Harvest. I don't even remember the last time something like that happened. Given the insurmountable nature of my TBR pile, I don't allow myself the luxury of re-reading my favorites, and yet I'm already anticipating cracking this book open again come next October.
Dark Harvest is an award winner, a classic according to more than a few, a must-read Halloween treat. Turns out, there's a damn good reason for that. Partridge has given us one hell of a bounty with this particular harvest, one that I suspect is going to keep on giving year after year.