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silenttwg's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Chris plans to meet his girlfriend, Agnes, in her hometown of Elaine for her mother's funeral but swiftly finds things taking a turn for the weirder.
This is a quirky, quick read that takes you straight into the heart of a questionable little podunk cultish town. Whether it's a cult or something else, it's bizarre and twisted, holding you for the whole ride.
I enjoyed it, but didn't like that it ended with more questions than it started with. While it was a creepy journey with a realistic mc, it didn't ultimately feel like it reached its conclusion.
I would read more about it though, explore the town more, find out what's really going on behind Elaine's closed-road attitude. The writing was solid and engaging, just needs more ribbon tied at the end.
This is a quirky, quick read that takes you straight into the heart of a questionable little podunk cultish town. Whether it's a cult or something else, it's bizarre and twisted, holding you for the whole ride.
I enjoyed it, but didn't like that it ended with more questions than it started with. While it was a creepy journey with a realistic mc, it didn't ultimately feel like it reached its conclusion.
I would read more about it though, explore the town more, find out what's really going on behind Elaine's closed-road attitude. The writing was solid and engaging, just needs more ribbon tied at the end.
jricchio's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
loogenhausen's review against another edition
4.0
The obvious take would be to say Arzate's novella "Elaine" is Lynchian. I'd go even further and say it's firmly in Calvin Lee Reeder territory. Though it's more lucid than The Oregonian, it definitely shares DNA with his later film The Rambler. As a matter of fact, Reeder would be the perfect person to adapt this into a nightmare fuel indie film filled with oddball characters and a supremely menacing tone. You can read this 91-pager in one sitting and I highly recommend that you do in order to maintain the movie-like feel of the experience.
My favorite exchange that elicited more than a few laughs featured the fallout of one of the setpiece bizarre occurrences in the book:
"Sorry about what happened last time. That wasn't the first time I saw a dead body, but I wasn't expecting one and being by myself I just panicked, you know?"
"Oh yeah, I saw the article in the newspaper."
"I mean, you don't think I just shot some old lady for no reason, do you?"
In context, this exchange with the main character, Chris, and a manic cop who may or may not have murdered and elderly woman whilst giving Chris a ride through the titanically bizarre town of Elaine, is supremely funny and had me cackling out loud.
In short, this is a very dark, yet darkly funny, journey into the waking nightmare of a town that has a pulse, a heartbeat, and a mind of its own. Enter at your own risk. And don't go to Elaine's apartment. In the town of Elaine. Not the Elaine on the train. The other Elaine. Got it?
My favorite exchange that elicited more than a few laughs featured the fallout of one of the setpiece bizarre occurrences in the book:
"Sorry about what happened last time. That wasn't the first time I saw a dead body, but I wasn't expecting one and being by myself I just panicked, you know?"
"Oh yeah, I saw the article in the newspaper."
"I mean, you don't think I just shot some old lady for no reason, do you?"
In context, this exchange with the main character, Chris, and a manic cop who may or may not have murdered and elderly woman whilst giving Chris a ride through the titanically bizarre town of Elaine, is supremely funny and had me cackling out loud.
In short, this is a very dark, yet darkly funny, journey into the waking nightmare of a town that has a pulse, a heartbeat, and a mind of its own. Enter at your own risk. And don't go to Elaine's apartment. In the town of Elaine. Not the Elaine on the train. The other Elaine. Got it?
evanstevens's review against another edition
5.0
holy fuckin shit.
that was warped and brilliant and is the most effective book I’ve read in a while at eliciting shock and awe.
Great mystery. Great twists. Great music references. Never expected to see The Dresden Dolls mentioned in fiction.
I loved it.
I’ll be thinking about that ending for a long time.
God damn. Perkele.
that was warped and brilliant and is the most effective book I’ve read in a while at eliciting shock and awe.
Great mystery. Great twists. Great music references. Never expected to see The Dresden Dolls mentioned in fiction.
I loved it.
I’ll be thinking about that ending for a long time.
God damn. Perkele.
roxiethebookslayer's review against another edition
5.0
Here Ben, take all the stars! I will be back with a full review!
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