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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
It was interesting but the way she writes eventually rubs me the wrong way. The sympathy by the end read as either naivety (which I find hard to believe), a ploy in her writing, or just idiocy. I don't see how she could feel "so" close to a co-worker that she mentions frequently she hasn't seen in a long time. Her decision to correspond does feel manipulative for the book, which had she admitted that was why, I'd feel better about it. ALL that said, it is interesting, well researched, and she does a good job with the timeline, the case, and the horror of it all.
The many many... *Many* afterwards may reflect her displeasure with the initial product as well.
The many many... *Many* afterwards may reflect her displeasure with the initial product as well.
Interesting to note, in the three afterwords, how Ann's ambivalence about Ted evolves into a sort of resigned sadness and disgust - it seems clear to me that it's only by the last update that she's actually accepted that he's guilty (no "allegedly" hedging) and the person she "knew" never really existed.
On the whole, this book is a fairly well-written (if not as emotionally detached as Rule apparently meant to be) and interesting look into the lifespan of a criminal investigation with some well-drawn characters (Judge Cowart) and some mere sketches (Peggy Good). I think the book could have used another edit, as timelines could be difficult to follow, especially in the middle chapters, the later chapters have a lot of bizarre tense changes, and throughout the novel some dates, for example, changed from Saturday to Sunday (or similar) in the space of paragraphs.
Even if Ted Bundy wasn't a serial murderer and rapist, I'd want to slap him upside the head for his personality. What a completely unbearable little twerp.
On the whole, this book is a fairly well-written (if not as emotionally detached as Rule apparently meant to be) and interesting look into the lifespan of a criminal investigation with some well-drawn characters (Judge Cowart) and some mere sketches (Peggy Good). I think the book could have used another edit, as timelines could be difficult to follow, especially in the middle chapters, the later chapters have a lot of bizarre tense changes, and throughout the novel some dates, for example, changed from Saturday to Sunday (or similar) in the space of paragraphs.
Even if Ted Bundy wasn't a serial murderer and rapist, I'd want to slap him upside the head for his personality. What a completely unbearable little twerp.
This was a creepy read - I hadn't known many details of Bundy's crimes other than his notoriety as a serial killer, and they were chilling.
I knew he was charming and handsome which is likely how he was able to attack many of his victims, but he was also sadistic and seriously mentally ill (though he turned down one plea offer that required him to plead insanity - he was positively irate at being considered crazy). Rule worked with Bundy at a suicide prevention hotline and kept in touch with him over the years, until he was finally put to death for his crimes. Her POV was interesting, as her friendship with him (while they weren't BFFs, she was probably one of his closest friends as he was a major loner) made it hard for her to accept his apparent guilt.
Interestingly, Bundy was highly involved with the Republican party and could have had a bright future in politics or as an attorney as he had a keen interest in the law. He even represented himself in at least one of his trials. His narcissism was incredible - he went through scores of public defenders, convinced that none were good enough for him. He constantly tried to game the psychiatrists who were dispatched to test his mental state, and even married himself to his then-girlfriend during one of his trials while questioning her.
Overall, a good - if slightly disturbing - read that I'd recommend to true crime fans.
I knew he was charming and handsome which is likely how he was able to attack many of his victims, but he was also sadistic and seriously mentally ill (though he turned down one plea offer that required him to plead insanity - he was positively irate at being considered crazy). Rule worked with Bundy at a suicide prevention hotline and kept in touch with him over the years, until he was finally put to death for his crimes. Her POV was interesting, as her friendship with him (while they weren't BFFs, she was probably one of his closest friends as he was a major loner) made it hard for her to accept his apparent guilt.
Interestingly, Bundy was highly involved with the Republican party and could have had a bright future in politics or as an attorney as he had a keen interest in the law. He even represented himself in at least one of his trials. His narcissism was incredible - he went through scores of public defenders, convinced that none were good enough for him. He constantly tried to game the psychiatrists who were dispatched to test his mental state, and even married himself to his then-girlfriend during one of his trials while questioning her.
Overall, a good - if slightly disturbing - read that I'd recommend to true crime fans.
How friggin' crazy would it be to be doing the story about these murders and it ends up being someone you know.
This was so good.
This was so good.
The book has interesting insights into Ted Bundy’s crimes. Even if you’ve seen some documentaries before, I feel like it adds to the big picture from an interesting perspective.
But the second half was a drag for me. It felt like the story was about to wind up (Bundy getting caught in Florida) and then discovered it was only halfway through. It felt like the book had multiple conclusions without actually ending and could have used additional editing.
I also didn’t enjoy Rule’s personal conjectures about Bundy’s psychology. It was all just amateur assumptions. It would have been helpful to have some expert opinions on it to help her (and the reader) form some more educated opinions.
The most interesting part about the ending was the confession and all the loose ends — the unanswered questions and possible other victims. Would have been helpful to add in the epilogue whether any true crime authors or podcasters have tried to tie more missing women to Bundy? As in — where do we go from here?
But the second half was a drag for me. It felt like the story was about to wind up (Bundy getting caught in Florida) and then discovered it was only halfway through. It felt like the book had multiple conclusions without actually ending and could have used additional editing.
I also didn’t enjoy Rule’s personal conjectures about Bundy’s psychology. It was all just amateur assumptions. It would have been helpful to have some expert opinions on it to help her (and the reader) form some more educated opinions.
The most interesting part about the ending was the confession and all the loose ends — the unanswered questions and possible other victims. Would have been helpful to add in the epilogue whether any true crime authors or podcasters have tried to tie more missing women to Bundy? As in — where do we go from here?
2.5 stars
The book packs a punch because of its content not its writing.
There are really two stories here:
1) The horrific and fantastical story of Ted Bundy
2) The story of Ann Rule
I loved the one and was disappointed in the other.
This almost feels like fan fiction rather than investigative non-fiction. Some details were included only because the people asked the author to do so rather than these additions adding anything of value to the story.
I found it interesting that the author fell under Bundy’s spell as much as the women that she criticized, who supported him during his incarceration, calling, writing and sending money to him.
And to be honest I still doubt their deep special friendship. As I understand it, they worked together 1 night a week for a few months, attended a few social functions with the bulk of their interaction relying on sporadic calls and letters. I don’t doubt that Ann got to know Bundy in a way that made her viewpoint unique, but it felt as if she wanted to convince readers that their connection was one of a kind snowflake unique.
The story of Bundy himself was what fascinated me and kept me coming back to this book that could have benefited from an editor. His crimes were shocking, the audacity of some of his actions were even more so and the police procedures in the 1970’s were sorely lacking in so many respects.
I don’t know the US legal system but I was completely gobsmacked to learn that Bundy was allowed to represent himself in court as he was a law school dropout not a graduate.
I have no regrets reading it, but I am hesitant to recommend this particular book about Ted Bundy. I would suggest waiting for the movie ” Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile”
The book packs a punch because of its content not its writing.
There are really two stories here:
1) The horrific and fantastical story of Ted Bundy
2) The story of Ann Rule
I loved the one and was disappointed in the other.
This almost feels like fan fiction rather than investigative non-fiction. Some details were included only because the people asked the author to do so rather than these additions adding anything of value to the story.
I found it interesting that the author fell under Bundy’s spell as much as the women that she criticized, who supported him during his incarceration, calling, writing and sending money to him.
And to be honest I still doubt their deep special friendship. As I understand it, they worked together 1 night a week for a few months, attended a few social functions with the bulk of their interaction relying on sporadic calls and letters. I don’t doubt that Ann got to know Bundy in a way that made her viewpoint unique, but it felt as if she wanted to convince readers that their connection was one of a kind snowflake unique.
The story of Bundy himself was what fascinated me and kept me coming back to this book that could have benefited from an editor. His crimes were shocking, the audacity of some of his actions were even more so and the police procedures in the 1970’s were sorely lacking in so many respects.
I don’t know the US legal system but I was completely gobsmacked to learn that Bundy was allowed to represent himself in court as he was a law school dropout not a graduate.
I have no regrets reading it, but I am hesitant to recommend this particular book about Ted Bundy. I would suggest waiting for the movie ” Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile”
dark
informative
sad
fast-paced
I’ve always wanted to read this book, and I’m glad I did. I’m glad that Rule was honest about her feelings - she didn’t know how to feel for the longest time, but she came to realize that he was a depraved human being who was a liar and master manipulator. I’d read from Rule again!
This is my second time reading this crazy shit and I certainly dont remember it being this INTENSE. It had much more of a deep impact on me than when I first read it at 21.
I'm pretty sure I dreamt of this every single night for the past week and ive been feeling weird and unsettled since I started the book.
Of course I inhaled it and loved it.
Not for the faint of heart...
I'm pretty sure I dreamt of this every single night for the past week and ive been feeling weird and unsettled since I started the book.
Of course I inhaled it and loved it.
Not for the faint of heart...