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futurama1979's review against another edition
5.0
fuck, this book took me for a ride. Tryon's craft is just insane and i know i'm way too dazzled by it to say anything really original about this. pequot landing was a real place to me while i read it, i could picture each street, the houses. it's so interesting, because separated from other characters, Niles would collect so much more possible guilt in the mind of the reader. but within this fucked up family context Tryon gave us his ardent love of his brother -- that anything he's hiding is to protect Holland, he'll clean up any mess and cover up any bad thing Holland does -- which gives him a projected sense of innocence to us. he's such a compelling character; my mind is going in so many ways i don't even know how to write about him. somehow, even as the book ends, Niles retains innocence in some form. perhaps only in the form of, even as we realise every utterly evil thing his hands have done, it really and genuinely does feel sickeningly sad when he realises he can no longer reach his brother.
from basically the first handful of chapters, the Other made me think of both [b:The Turn of the Screw|12948|The Turn of the Screw|Henry James|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1567172392l/12948._SY75_.jpg|990886] and [b:We Have Always Lived in the Castle|89724|We Have Always Lived in the Castle|Shirley Jackson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1704229774l/89724._SX50_.jpg|847007]. it is easily the equal of either in craft. they all toe a line between fantasy and delusion, ultimately, between childhood and adulthood. Niles is in denial about Holland, yeah, but he's also in denial of the fact that he’s growing up. he’s so desperate to hang onto his brother because in accepting what happened to Holland he has to accept every twisted cruelty and unfair spur of adulthood and actually deal with it, rather than retreat into the safety of innocence, games. the way a child views the world is unlimited, unbounded and magical, and ultimately safe. giving up that world is just as impossible as (and very interwoven with) giving Holland up.
every single thing about this book was so on it. this feels stupid and inarticulate in comparison and i'm not even brushing the surface of what makes Niles and the book so special but god the internet already dropped once trying to post this so i will shut up.
from basically the first handful of chapters, the Other made me think of both [b:The Turn of the Screw|12948|The Turn of the Screw|Henry James|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1567172392l/12948._SY75_.jpg|990886] and [b:We Have Always Lived in the Castle|89724|We Have Always Lived in the Castle|Shirley Jackson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1704229774l/89724._SX50_.jpg|847007]. it is easily the equal of either in craft. they all toe a line between fantasy and delusion, ultimately, between childhood and adulthood. Niles is in denial about Holland, yeah, but he's also in denial of the fact that he’s growing up. he’s so desperate to hang onto his brother because in accepting what happened to Holland he has to accept every twisted cruelty and unfair spur of adulthood and actually deal with it, rather than retreat into the safety of innocence, games. the way a child views the world is unlimited, unbounded and magical, and ultimately safe. giving up that world is just as impossible as (and very interwoven with) giving Holland up.
every single thing about this book was so on it. this feels stupid and inarticulate in comparison and i'm not even brushing the surface of what makes Niles and the book so special but god the internet already dropped once trying to post this so i will shut up.
mollybonovskyanderson's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully written, suspenseful, and horrifying.
msmagoo502's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
tcgarback's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
⭐️
Critical Score: F
Personal Score: D
Wow, what a letdown. Horrifically boring. No, not even horrifically. There was no horror in this. It was just endless pretentious description for early 20th century bucolic life in New England.
I was charmed by the setting at first. And then the author gave us every uninteresting detail about it that he could muster. (Well not every one, because Tyron’s rambled further about farm life in a few other books.)
The suspense is so very basic. The twist is so very predictable.
Now, that’s partly because this novel set the standard for the evil twin trope and the trope delivered in the plot twist (I won’t spoil it). So of course this book won’t feel inventive. It’s been redone over and over in our culture.
But still. Did the book have to be this miserably boring? I could scream. I had to skim most of it.
Not to mention how it’s a damaging and stupid depiction of mental illness. Which is a result of the book’s age, but that doesn’t mean this depiction isn’t still harmful.
Although frequently associated with The Exorcist and Rosemary’s Baby as one of the three books that led to the horror craze of the 70s (and set the stage that encouraged Stephen King’s work to be accepted into mainstream publishing), The Other is by no means as good as either of those classics. I thought maybe The Other was largely forgotten today because it didn’t have an iconic film adaptation like the other two; but nope, it has to be because this novel is undeniably poor compared to The Exorcist and Rosemary’s Baby. IMO, at least.
What an absolute failure.
Critical Score: F
Personal Score: D
Wow, what a letdown. Horrifically boring. No, not even horrifically. There was no horror in this. It was just endless pretentious description for early 20th century bucolic life in New England.
I was charmed by the setting at first. And then the author gave us every uninteresting detail about it that he could muster. (Well not every one, because Tyron’s rambled further about farm life in a few other books.)
The suspense is so very basic. The twist is so very predictable.
Now, that’s partly because this novel set the standard for the evil twin trope and the trope delivered in the plot twist (I won’t spoil it). So of course this book won’t feel inventive. It’s been redone over and over in our culture.
But still. Did the book have to be this miserably boring? I could scream. I had to skim most of it.
Not to mention how it’s a damaging and stupid depiction of mental illness. Which is a result of the book’s age, but that doesn’t mean this depiction isn’t still harmful.
Although frequently associated with The Exorcist and Rosemary’s Baby as one of the three books that led to the horror craze of the 70s (and set the stage that encouraged Stephen King’s work to be accepted into mainstream publishing), The Other is by no means as good as either of those classics. I thought maybe The Other was largely forgotten today because it didn’t have an iconic film adaptation like the other two; but nope, it has to be because this novel is undeniably poor compared to The Exorcist and Rosemary’s Baby. IMO, at least.
What an absolute failure.
jrabbit12's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of the most unique books I have read in a very long time. The writing is dynamic and strong and the characters compelling. I wanted to reread it before I was even done with it as things were brought to light that were hinted at in the preceding pages. I'm excited to read Tryon's other stuff!
badseedgirl's review against another edition
4.0
I sometimes still have nightmares about these twin boys, and although the ending is almost cliche, it is important to note that when it was written is was fresh, a true psychological thriller, and the only reason it is cliched is because some many novel have copied it over the years.
etakloknok's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mbkarapcik's review against another edition
4.0
The Other by Thomas Tryon is about two teenaged twin boys who reside at their family's farm in rural Connecticut in the mid to late 1930s. Days are spent running through fields, swimming in ponds, and pretending to be various storybook characters and the like. It's an idyllic time for these blond, blue-eyed boys named Holland and Niles Perry.
Unfortunately, despite the bucolic small town charm, something strange has been happening. Freak accidents and deaths occur that disrupt the easy life that people live in the fictional Pequot Landing. It especially seems to be affecting the Perry family, including the boys whose father died several months ago. Is it a malevolent, otherworldly force? A psychopathic killer on the loose? What is going on? And what it The Game that they play with their Russian grandmother?
One lazy Sunday, I turned on our upstairs TV, which doesn't have cable, and happened upon the 1972 movie, "The Other." I couldn't turn it off because I was trying to figure out what was the deal with these twin boys. It was strangely pleasant to see the beautiful farm and the boys enjoying a lazy summer. Then things start to happen. It's very hard to find this movie although you can watch it and a great documentary on YouTube. You'll see the late John Ritter from Three's Company play a supporting role, BTW, before he became famous.
A former, Golden Globe-winning actor, Thomas Tryon, wrote and published it in 1971. Along with Rosemary's Baby and The Exorcist, it was one of the most popular and famous horror books of the day. This is before Stephen King came in and donned his crown as the horror king. I couldn't wait to read it.
The writing and description of the area the twins live in is thoroughly described and in beautiful language. You really feel like you're there and can imagine the town and its people within it including the extended Perry family. It draws you in, and you may almost think it too boring. It takes a while to realize what's happening. In fact, I was about 70 percent into the book before it starts taking you on a roller coaster of horrors.
At times, I thought it was sad instead of scary. You feel fooled by the pleasant setting and simple life that the boys enjoy. Once upon a time, family life appeared normal until you start learning of little things thrown here and there that give you pause. Even though the exposition takes time, it felt rewarding in the end. It's sad and chilling and really well-done. It's not hard to see how this book influenced so many different books within the realms of horror, suspense, and thrillers.
I think that if you can watch the movie and read the book, it explains a lot more. Some things in the movie hide some of the underlying issues in the book. Once you read the book, which is somewhat difficult to find (my local library didn't have it), it clears up some events that occur in the movie. If you watch the movie documentary, you'll find out that some of the film was cut, which eliminated some of what the book covers. Same old story that the book is better than the movie. Give it a try and see what you think.
Unfortunately, despite the bucolic small town charm, something strange has been happening. Freak accidents and deaths occur that disrupt the easy life that people live in the fictional Pequot Landing. It especially seems to be affecting the Perry family, including the boys whose father died several months ago. Is it a malevolent, otherworldly force? A psychopathic killer on the loose? What is going on? And what it The Game that they play with their Russian grandmother?
One lazy Sunday, I turned on our upstairs TV, which doesn't have cable, and happened upon the 1972 movie, "The Other." I couldn't turn it off because I was trying to figure out what was the deal with these twin boys. It was strangely pleasant to see the beautiful farm and the boys enjoying a lazy summer. Then things start to happen. It's very hard to find this movie although you can watch it and a great documentary on YouTube. You'll see the late John Ritter from Three's Company play a supporting role, BTW, before he became famous.
A former, Golden Globe-winning actor, Thomas Tryon, wrote and published it in 1971. Along with Rosemary's Baby and The Exorcist, it was one of the most popular and famous horror books of the day. This is before Stephen King came in and donned his crown as the horror king. I couldn't wait to read it.
The writing and description of the area the twins live in is thoroughly described and in beautiful language. You really feel like you're there and can imagine the town and its people within it including the extended Perry family. It draws you in, and you may almost think it too boring. It takes a while to realize what's happening. In fact, I was about 70 percent into the book before it starts taking you on a roller coaster of horrors.
At times, I thought it was sad instead of scary. You feel fooled by the pleasant setting and simple life that the boys enjoy. Once upon a time, family life appeared normal until you start learning of little things thrown here and there that give you pause. Even though the exposition takes time, it felt rewarding in the end. It's sad and chilling and really well-done. It's not hard to see how this book influenced so many different books within the realms of horror, suspense, and thrillers.
I think that if you can watch the movie and read the book, it explains a lot more. Some things in the movie hide some of the underlying issues in the book. Once you read the book, which is somewhat difficult to find (my local library didn't have it), it clears up some events that occur in the movie. If you watch the movie documentary, you'll find out that some of the film was cut, which eliminated some of what the book covers. Same old story that the book is better than the movie. Give it a try and see what you think.
katermannx's review against another edition
1.0
Gave up at around page 100. I only got so far clinging to the hope that this mess would eventually get better but it didn‘t. In fact there seems to be no real story at all. Reading only a few pages of this book feels like torture. When grandma Ada once again began her sleep-inducing drivel I closed the book for good. Sorry, douschka.
pbraue13's review against another edition
5.0
So many twists and turns! The narrator and author lull you into a false sense of security that is ripped from under you as the novel progresses. It reminded me of the works of Shirley Jackson, Patricia Highsmith, and some Agatha Christie and I loved it. I delighted in the language and gothic tone of it as well as its thoughts on nostalgia, childhood, and the horror of the passage of time. So so good!