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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!
tricapra's review against another edition
3.0
This book was very much a slow burn, I struggled to stay interested for the first 90% but when it got going it really barreled along. I was caught off guard by the plot twist and did enjoy the ending, but I don't know if it was worth the struggle. I don't care much for the minutiae of small town life in the 30s, so I'm sure some of the charm of the book was lost on me. I'll give the film a shot next.
billymac1962's review against another edition
4.0
This movie was quite unsettling when I saw it back on the 70s. But despite having seen the film, it did not take away from the enjoyment of the novel. Most people would probably have given this one a pass if they had known that Tryon was an actor before he wrote this, but this guy was (he died of cancer in 1991) some fine writer. The movie was very true to the novel, so there will be no surprises with the dreadful turns that both the novel and movie follow.
But like I said, it's still a fine read. If you haven't seen the movie,
you're in for a real treat here.
But like I said, it's still a fine read. If you haven't seen the movie,
you're in for a real treat here.
brisamar's review against another edition
4.0
Los primero capítulos se me hicieron un poco pesados, pero luego la trama avanza de maravilla y pese a intuir la resolución del problema quería seguir leyendo.
theboldbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
This book is creepy and disturbing. The family dynamics are interesting especially with the twins and there are some truly horrifying events. I thought I knew what was going on, but I kept second guessing myself. I'm still not entirely sure about one thing. This kept me turning the pages as I wanted to find out what the outcome would be. It did not disappoint! Even though it was written in the 1970s about the 1930s, I think it still holds up well today.
vandermeer's review against another edition
2.0
Vielleicht ist das Ende ein Knaller, aber ich gebs bei 80% auf
georgey1809's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
candikat's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know how I've made it this far as a horror fan without reading this. I went in with the mindset that this book is older than I am - first published in 1971 - so plot points that are almost tropes now were probably quite surprising to readers at the time. Even as I was predicting some events, there were still enough surprises, and Tryon's writing effectively creates a sense of dread. At the same time, it's very approachable and easy to feel as if you know and understand the characters, which makes their fates all the more horrific and heart-wrenching.
papidoc's review against another edition
1.0
Definitely NOT a childhood favorite. Required reading for one of my high school English classes, and for me it was one of the ugliest experiences I've had with a book. Through most of the book, I was troubled and disheartened by the plot, and though I didn't exactly anticipate the ending, I knew it wouldn't be good. The imagery that entered my mind at the end is something that still comes back to me in nightmares. I don't recommend it for anyone...the worst of psychological horror.