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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.
gaia76's review against another edition
3.0
Un buon libro, nell'insieme. La scrittura, sebbene discontinua, non mi ha disturbato; il ritmo, anche se lento, sostiene la trama. Lo definirei un horror atipico, in cui la tensione resta costante lungo tutta la narrazione. Avrebbe meritato 4 stelle, ma il momento della rivelazione per me non รจ stato reso bene. Gusti personali, senza dubbio, ma ho trovato quel passaggio debole.
magicacat's review against another edition
1.0
Yeah why would I want to read about disgusting cruelty to animals?
Classic my arse. DNF and fuck this guy.
Classic my arse. DNF and fuck this guy.
scheu's review
3.0
Other reviewers of this book convinced me to plow through the first 80% in order to revel in the last 20%. Ok, fine, I said to myself, it's not very long, I can grind my way through page after page of blah storytelling.
The resolution was probably amazing in 1970, but I can't say I found it amazing in 2023. Maybe a person could read it again, knowing what they know by the end, but good lord I have no interest in chewing that white bread a second time.
The resolution was probably amazing in 1970, but I can't say I found it amazing in 2023. Maybe a person could read it again, knowing what they know by the end, but good lord I have no interest in chewing that white bread a second time.
carolinevaught's review against another edition
3.0
Could be interesting. Could be predictable. Depends on how you read it. Had I read this without having to discuss it with my entire class, I might have liked it.
melmasian's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
dnemec's review
2.0
This has been on TBR forever. It has been mentioned repeatedly on the best horror books list, which is where I found it. While the story was interesting, I just had such a hard time picking up the book. Looking at the reviews I guess I'm in the minority, but I just thought it was okay. Normally I love creepy kids, but this didn't do it for me.
softbitten's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-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? Yes
1.0
I was curious enough to finish this, despite being bored by most of the story. It was well-written and had some mildly unsettling moments but was just not my cup of tea.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Mental illness and Animal cruelty
Minor: Alcohol and Forced institutionalization