You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
Read this book thanks to Tor.com eBook Club (thanks!)
The Murders of Molly Southborne is a good read for a single sitting, a short story with an engaging narrative. As other readers pointed, the blurb seems a bit farfetched and silly, but the idea really pans out to an interesting story, as long as you keep a minimum suspension of disbelief - as in "don't discuss the science behind it", which honestly can be a rule by itself for the whole horror genre.
The concept and the main character feel different and strange and, while I had an easier time understanding and relating to young-Molly as opposed to the robotic and unfeeling adult-Molly, I guess years of carnage can do that to a person.
I have to say I do not enjoy gore at all and tend to avoid it like the plague, but while the book does feature dismemberment and plenty of human body disposal / dissection, it's not a focus of the story and it's not described in great detail, so I didn't mind.
I would have loved a bit more depth on Mom's story or the world wide fertility problems, but overall I really liked this book.
The Murders of Molly Southborne is a good read for a single sitting, a short story with an engaging narrative. As other readers pointed, the blurb seems a bit farfetched and silly, but the idea really pans out to an interesting story, as long as you keep a minimum suspension of disbelief - as in "don't discuss the science behind it", which honestly can be a rule by itself for the whole horror genre.
The concept and the main character feel different and strange and, while I had an easier time understanding and relating to young-Molly as opposed to the robotic and unfeeling adult-Molly, I guess years of carnage can do that to a person.
I have to say I do not enjoy gore at all and tend to avoid it like the plague, but while the book does feature dismemberment and plenty of human body disposal / dissection, it's not a focus of the story and it's not described in great detail, so I didn't mind.
I would have loved a bit more depth on Mom's story or the world wide fertility problems, but overall I really liked this book.
I almost set this aside after the first few pages, intending to delete it from my TBR like I never intended to read it: I'm that tired of protagonists with amnesia.
I can't say exactly what made me keep going. Something about it was compelling even under the weight of my personal bias, and when the flow of the narrative abruptly changed, I became hooked.
I don't usually say "hooked" about something I rate at two stars. The compliment that I can give this novella without reservation is that it's exceptionally well-paced.
Ultimately, though, I don't know what the point was. At different times during the story I could feel the hand of the author pressing my nose to the page (metaphorically, it was my phone) and asking, "See? See what I'm getting at here?" But the answer was always no. I didn't get it. Even with a day to reflect before writing this review, I still don't get it. A few stray bits of story, coupled with a few things Molly said, seemed anti-natalist, but without knowing more about the author I doubt that's the intention. Other things suggested a different flavor of existential despair, and at one point--sadly I don't remember what made me think this, exactly--I wondered if the symbolism was anti-abortion. Which doesn't square with the possible anti-natalism at all, and that's why I question if I'm reading in between the lines correctly. I doubt I am. I found the thematic underpinnings of this little SF/horror tale to be murky at best.
I didn't realize until I came to write the review that there were sequels, but in this case I don't think knowing that would have changed my expectations of the story. It has an ending, one that is narratively satisfactory (if not thematically, because I still don't know what the point was.) It's possible to use that ending as a cliffhanger, but not necessary to; I felt it was complete and don't have any complaints about it specifically.
On a personal note, this is yet another strike in the long line of "I got this ebook free from Tor's newsletter and I didn't like it much." I actually noticed that pattern a while ago and stopped downloading them last year, though I've still got a backlog to get through. What is it about modern SF/F that I'm not grokking? Because it seems like everyone else likes them...
I can't say exactly what made me keep going. Something about it was compelling even under the weight of my personal bias, and when the flow of the narrative abruptly changed, I became hooked.
I don't usually say "hooked" about something I rate at two stars. The compliment that I can give this novella without reservation is that it's exceptionally well-paced.
Ultimately, though, I don't know what the point was. At different times during the story I could feel the hand of the author pressing my nose to the page (metaphorically, it was my phone) and asking, "See? See what I'm getting at here?" But the answer was always no. I didn't get it. Even with a day to reflect before writing this review, I still don't get it. A few stray bits of story, coupled with a few things Molly said, seemed anti-natalist, but without knowing more about the author I doubt that's the intention. Other things suggested a different flavor of existential despair, and at one point--sadly I don't remember what made me think this, exactly--I wondered if the symbolism was anti-abortion. Which doesn't square with the possible anti-natalism at all, and that's why I question if I'm reading in between the lines correctly. I doubt I am. I found the thematic underpinnings of this little SF/horror tale to be murky at best.
I didn't realize until I came to write the review that there were sequels, but in this case I don't think knowing that would have changed my expectations of the story. It has an ending, one that is narratively satisfactory (if not thematically, because I still don't know what the point was.) It's possible to use that ending as a cliffhanger, but not necessary to; I felt it was complete and don't have any complaints about it specifically.
On a personal note, this is yet another strike in the long line of "I got this ebook free from Tor's newsletter and I didn't like it much." I actually noticed that pattern a while ago and stopped downloading them last year, though I've still got a backlog to get through. What is it about modern SF/F that I'm not grokking? Because it seems like everyone else likes them...
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“She loves that writers make words their servants and bend them to their will.”
An interesting, unique story about a girl who spawns clones whenever she bleeds. The clones then try to kill her.
The first section (pre-college) was very interesting! I loved seeing how her family dealt with Molly's condition. The last section (college) was decent; I'm just a bit confused by some of the plot points.
I'm not sure if I'll be picking up the second book but it was certainly worth the read.
An interesting, unique story about a girl who spawns clones whenever she bleeds. The clones then try to kill her.
The first section (pre-college) was very interesting! I loved seeing how her family dealt with Molly's condition. The last section (college) was decent; I'm just a bit confused by some of the plot points.
I'm not sure if I'll be picking up the second book but it was certainly worth the read.
What a great, innovative story. I wish it was longer so that I could stay immersed in such a fantastic world.
A 2017 staff favorite recommended by Mark. Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__SMurders%20of%20Molly%20Southbourne__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Short but packed a punch. Excellent world building. Succinct but also very engaging.
This was definitely an interesting read. The main character Molly, has the ability to multiply when she bleeds. That's right she creates other Mollys. Which would be cool in theory if they didn't try to murder her.
I was sort of expecting this one to be longer when I put it on hold at my library. But was pleasantly surprised by it's length. I think it was just the right amount of story, some writers tend to use a lot of fillers. I like to read between the lines of a book and figure out stuff without a ton of telling.
I was sort of expecting this one to be longer when I put it on hold at my library. But was pleasantly surprised by it's length. I think it was just the right amount of story, some writers tend to use a lot of fillers. I like to read between the lines of a book and figure out stuff without a ton of telling.