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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
“Do you know how much harm ‘happily ever after’ has done to mankind?"
So this is an urban horror that wiggles it's toes over the fantasy puddle. Fantasy really isn't my thing, I've tired a few times, but it just doesn't shake my tree. The great thing about The Changeling is the subtle way it manages to blend the horror and the fantasy together. The story is sound, the writing excellent, the characters solid and I loved the relationship between Apollo and Patrice. Just a little something missing at the end. Didn't enjoy it as much as The Devil In Silver but still really good.
So this is an urban horror that wiggles it's toes over the fantasy puddle. Fantasy really isn't my thing, I've tired a few times, but it just doesn't shake my tree. The great thing about The Changeling is the subtle way it manages to blend the horror and the fantasy together. The story is sound, the writing excellent, the characters solid and I loved the relationship between Apollo and Patrice. Just a little something missing at the end. Didn't enjoy it as much as The Devil In Silver but still really good.
If this whole book was just the story of Apollo & Emma's first year of parenting Brian in NYC, I would have enjoyed it immensely. However, this is not a simple tale of parenting, this is an old school- Black Forest Germany - fairy tale where children are spirited away and monsters walk among us. I completely enjoyed the way Mr. LaValle weaves classic fairy tale lore into the 21st century and works with all the trapping of modern life while telling this ancient tale.
"The Changeling" doesn't shy away from the reality in America where for a black man, any encounter with the police can end in death. This story doesn't shy away from reminding us that far too often the concerns of new moms are brushed aside as they suffer silently with postpartum psychosis. This story doesn't shy away from reminding us we all cling to fairy tales we tell ourselves in order to sleep through the night.
In the end, Victor LaValle gives Emma, Apollo, and Brian some happiness. It's not forever but it's happily for now.
"The Changeling" doesn't shy away from the reality in America where for a black man, any encounter with the police can end in death. This story doesn't shy away from reminding us that far too often the concerns of new moms are brushed aside as they suffer silently with postpartum psychosis. This story doesn't shy away from reminding us we all cling to fairy tales we tell ourselves in order to sleep through the night.
In the end, Victor LaValle gives Emma, Apollo, and Brian some happiness. It's not forever but it's happily for now.
I have mixed feelings about this one. On one hand, the heart of the story is creepy and cool. I love the combination of classic tales and high tech. On the other hand, at times it was agonizing to get to the meat of the story. There was a lot of verbal bloat. I think I would have enjoyed it much more had about 25% of the book been trimmed down.
EDIT: The more I think about this book, the more I realize that I don't think it is a very good book. There are elements that I like a lot, but I decided to bump it down to 2 stars.
EDIT: The more I think about this book, the more I realize that I don't think it is a very good book. There are elements that I like a lot, but I decided to bump it down to 2 stars.