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mrpetej's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
kerinl's review against another edition
4.0
This YA books was recommended to me by two high school english teachers. It did not disappoint! Wish I could give it 4.5 stars. Although a murder mystery I found it to be highly engaging and well written.
twotoes's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
This started wonderfully. The kids being stalked was intense & Miss Maggie's story was hilarious. The rest of the book didn't match the beginning but it was still good.
billymac1962's review against another edition
5.0
Joe R. Lansdale is predominantly known as a horror writer, but lookie here: The Bottoms won the Edgar Award (Mystery) for best novel.
Now, despite being a mystery, there weren't any big surprises for me, but where the novel truly shines is as the coming of age story of a 13 year-old boy in the early 1930s.
I was surprised at what a quick read this was. For some reason I was under the impression that this was a denser read, but in no way was I disappointed at that. I'm a big fan of less is more. Lansdale writes in a very economical fashion, but I was totally drawn in to the sense of place and time in this story. The characters were well developed, and the description and feel of racial tensions are worthy of Harper Lee's classic.
The only thing that could have been better was maybe being rocked or
blindsided by a revelation at the end, and for this reason only, my rating will fall only a smidgen short of awesome.
On second thought, as I write this review, images from the story are still flashing through my mind, and there are feelings that I think will continue to linger for a while yet. I love books that will do that to me.
So, 5 stars it is. It's such a fast read, but it'll take a long while to shake the feeling of East Texas in the 1930s. Highly recommended.
Now, despite being a mystery, there weren't any big surprises for me, but where the novel truly shines is as the coming of age story of a 13 year-old boy in the early 1930s.
I was surprised at what a quick read this was. For some reason I was under the impression that this was a denser read, but in no way was I disappointed at that. I'm a big fan of less is more. Lansdale writes in a very economical fashion, but I was totally drawn in to the sense of place and time in this story. The characters were well developed, and the description and feel of racial tensions are worthy of Harper Lee's classic.
The only thing that could have been better was maybe being rocked or
blindsided by a revelation at the end, and for this reason only, my rating will fall only a smidgen short of awesome.
On second thought, as I write this review, images from the story are still flashing through my mind, and there are feelings that I think will continue to linger for a while yet. I love books that will do that to me.
So, 5 stars it is. It's such a fast read, but it'll take a long while to shake the feeling of East Texas in the 1930s. Highly recommended.
kleonard's review against another edition
5.0
The best book on race and the South since To Kill a Mockingbird. A strong contender, in my view, to replacing TKAM on reading lists for students.
marleymut's review against another edition
3.5
Slow thru-out but finished pretty strong. Epilogue was sad.
jessd07's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jeanne_i_d's review against another edition
5.0
Wrote my review, Goodreads locked up, tossed me out and I lost it. Bottom line - some flaws but the memorable characters and the creepy story outweighed these. Not for the squeamish. Oh and I loved Toby.....
the_enobee's review against another edition
5.0
This book was magnificent in both writing and plot. I've seldom read a book that so brings home the passage of years, the longing for the golden times in youth, and the indifference of time as the world moves on. This could be one of my all-time favorite coming-of-age stories. Sometimes I'm a little high on books right after finishing, so time will tell. However, I'd heartily recommend The Bottoms to any people even remotely interested in reading Lansdale or experiencing a good novel.