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sbsenpai's review against another edition
3.0
It has its suspensful moments, but they're few and far between. Max Cady doesn't have that many scenes, but the ones that he's in are unnerving. While it's okay, I do admit that this is one of the times that the movie is better. Just so many creepy things that keep you on your seat.
boyd94's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
maggie_sotos's review against another edition
3.0
An open letter to this book's protagonist, Sam Bowden
Dear Sam,
Thanks for sharing your terrifying story with the rest of us! Although it started a little jerkily for my tastes, I appreciated the creeping sense of doom and foreboding you communicated throughout the chapters. Your tale is a sad one (how many people can say they witness a brutal child rape, helped put the rapist behind bars, then had that rapist come back out and pretty candidly explain they are going to do the same thing to your kids and wife...AH!), and the whole misadventure was punctuated with your valiant efforts to remain in the confines of the law while defending your family. Gregory Peck was a wise choice to portray you in the movie adaptation, as you are so clearly the logic-minded hero we all aspire to become.
Also, I'm sorry about your dog getting poisoned by the rapist. That...that was awful.
Sam, I need to give you props for being a fairly progressive guy for your era. The fact that you and your wife have so much intelligent banter between you is nice, and incorporating her into all of your household decisions (rather than unilaterally leading the Bowdens) is refreshing to read, particularly given the publication date of your story. Hazaa!
Plus, again, REALLY sorry about the family dog. Marilyn! Argh! I poured a little out for her when I read that chapter.
One thing, Sam: I noticed a lot of the time, you managed to make whatever was happening about you and your sense of masculinity. Now don't take this personally (because let's be honest, your ego is about as delicate as a Faberge Egg), but at times you kind of reminded me of that dude who can't pass a mirror without flexing and checking out his own body. I know not being able to protect your family makes you feel small and helpless, but constantly whining to your wife about how pathetic of a Man you are whenever a frightening or unexpected event descends on the family...yeah, that's annoying. If you don't feel like you're enough of a man, go work out or hunt something. I don't know, but please leave Carol alone. She's worrying about the safety of your three babies; don't make her constantly coddle the feelings of a fourth.
OK, I guess that's kind of all. Good luck processing all of your family's trauma in the coming years. If you have not begun to seek a family therapist, I'd start on that pronto because your daughter and sons and wife just went through some bad SHIT and I'm worried because at the end of the book you're all just splashing around on the boat like it's all ok. Um....it's not ok. Dude, that rapist fucked up your wife's car so bad it flipped WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING IT -- you don't think that's gonna' mess her up in her head two years down the road? And damn, your eleven year old got shot by a rifle... AT SUMMER CAMP. .... BY A RAPIST TRYING TO KILL HIM. Dude, he lost a serious chunk of his childhood that day, he should talk to a professional about channeling his rage and fear into something constructive, like music or creative writing. I mean Christ, Sam, your family watched Marilyn violently die from Arsenic poisoning that someone put into a STEAK! THAT IS SOME ISIS SHIT RIGHT THERE, MAN. Get them the help they desperately need before they begin walking around in their sleep murdering stray animals and your neighbors!
Ugh, sorry to bring up the dog again. That was...I'm...I'm sorry.
Sincerely,
Maggie
Dear Sam,
Thanks for sharing your terrifying story with the rest of us! Although it started a little jerkily for my tastes, I appreciated the creeping sense of doom and foreboding you communicated throughout the chapters. Your tale is a sad one (how many people can say they witness a brutal child rape, helped put the rapist behind bars, then had that rapist come back out and pretty candidly explain they are going to do the same thing to your kids and wife...AH!), and the whole misadventure was punctuated with your valiant efforts to remain in the confines of the law while defending your family. Gregory Peck was a wise choice to portray you in the movie adaptation, as you are so clearly the logic-minded hero we all aspire to become.
Also, I'm sorry about your dog getting poisoned by the rapist. That...that was awful.
Sam, I need to give you props for being a fairly progressive guy for your era. The fact that you and your wife have so much intelligent banter between you is nice, and incorporating her into all of your household decisions (rather than unilaterally leading the Bowdens) is refreshing to read, particularly given the publication date of your story. Hazaa!
Plus, again, REALLY sorry about the family dog. Marilyn! Argh! I poured a little out for her when I read that chapter.
One thing, Sam: I noticed a lot of the time, you managed to make whatever was happening about you and your sense of masculinity. Now don't take this personally (because let's be honest, your ego is about as delicate as a Faberge Egg), but at times you kind of reminded me of that dude who can't pass a mirror without flexing and checking out his own body. I know not being able to protect your family makes you feel small and helpless, but constantly whining to your wife about how pathetic of a Man you are whenever a frightening or unexpected event descends on the family...yeah, that's annoying. If you don't feel like you're enough of a man, go work out or hunt something. I don't know, but please leave Carol alone. She's worrying about the safety of your three babies; don't make her constantly coddle the feelings of a fourth.
OK, I guess that's kind of all. Good luck processing all of your family's trauma in the coming years. If you have not begun to seek a family therapist, I'd start on that pronto because your daughter and sons and wife just went through some bad SHIT and I'm worried because at the end of the book you're all just splashing around on the boat like it's all ok. Um....it's not ok. Dude, that rapist fucked up your wife's car so bad it flipped WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING IT -- you don't think that's gonna' mess her up in her head two years down the road? And damn, your eleven year old got shot by a rifle... AT SUMMER CAMP. .... BY A RAPIST TRYING TO KILL HIM. Dude, he lost a serious chunk of his childhood that day, he should talk to a professional about channeling his rage and fear into something constructive, like music or creative writing. I mean Christ, Sam, your family watched Marilyn violently die from Arsenic poisoning that someone put into a STEAK! THAT IS SOME ISIS SHIT RIGHT THERE, MAN. Get them the help they desperately need before they begin walking around in their sleep murdering stray animals and your neighbors!
Ugh, sorry to bring up the dog again. That was...I'm...I'm sorry.
Sincerely,
Maggie
backyardreader's review against another edition
4.0
Initially, I didn't care for the writing style. The dialogue felt off and unrealistic. But the END!? Redeemed. Not only exciting but emotional and thought provoking.
toddcates's review against another edition
5.0
This is an amazing read. MacDonald’s ability to install the dark fear throughout this story had me on the edge of my seat. He made the psychosis in Max Cady very real and presented the Bowden’s fear as a palpable, living thing. A must read if you like great storytelling and psychological thrillers.
the_crab's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Quick pace, easy read , and decent story. Left me wanting more in a bad way, though. Characters could use some more fleshing out. Wanted to read so I could watch the movie (big Scorsese guy). This is a great slump buster.
jamesthegill's review against another edition
3.0
What rot. Doesn't contain a single rake scene or mention the score from the HMS Pinafore!
noseinabookagain's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Quick, easy read with excellently developed characters. I could feel the anxiety and fear of the family, which conveys how mesmerising MacDonald’s storytelling is; it is in similar vain to King’s writing.
It also brought about questions of just how much the law will help or protect you in times of need. Wonderful storytelling.
It also brought about questions of just how much the law will help or protect you in times of need. Wonderful storytelling.
jdelloso's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
liamkeith's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0