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billymac1962's review against another edition
4.0
Ah, the psychotic sociopath. Where would suspense fiction be without it?
These days this fellow is prevalent throughout contemporary fiction. But this! This comes courtesy of Ira Levin, a debut novelist at the ripe age of 24 in 1953.
Of course, Levin is best known for Rosemary's Baby, but this one is very interesting just because of the time in which it was written, and how, despite the genre being so saturated now, this one stands up very well against today's contemporaries.
Levin's pacing in this novel is very good, especially when you consider his age, this being a debut, and not a whole lot to draw on from the genre. Impressive indeed.
I don't have much time to write a long review today, and maybe that's for the best.
Suffice it to say, this is very much worth the time and I can safely say I will read everything by this guy.
Four good stars.
These days this fellow is prevalent throughout contemporary fiction. But this! This comes courtesy of Ira Levin, a debut novelist at the ripe age of 24 in 1953.
Of course, Levin is best known for Rosemary's Baby, but this one is very interesting just because of the time in which it was written, and how, despite the genre being so saturated now, this one stands up very well against today's contemporaries.
Levin's pacing in this novel is very good, especially when you consider his age, this being a debut, and not a whole lot to draw on from the genre. Impressive indeed.
I don't have much time to write a long review today, and maybe that's for the best.
Suffice it to say, this is very much worth the time and I can safely say I will read everything by this guy.
Four good stars.
nick_at_nite's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of those books best read blind. This is Levin's debut, and it's an impressive one. It's a pulpy thriller with a magnificently quick, cranking pace that all but forces you to gobble it up in one pass.
jeanne_i_d's review against another edition
5.0
I thought this book was good noir-ish pulp fun and not as "predictable" as other reviewers have commented. Maybe I am just a little slow. Five stars simply to drive up the rating on an underrated book.
dushan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
rosebrown's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This year I had a resolution that I would try new genresand expand my horizons. One of them was mystery/thriller.
I’ve not read any book before that completely based on mystery/ thriller. I’m glad I picked this book, because it freaking delivered. I’m absolutely disgusted and impressed by this book equal parts. It was chilling, especially the ending. I liked Dorothy, she was really naive and love starved yet sweet girl. Then we have her sister Ellen who is also a sweet girl but have fierce personality and blame herself for her sister suicide ( not suicide really). And become girl detective to find out the truth. I was heartbroken for her though. And then we have Marion, third sister. I didn’t like her.
Overall, plot, storytelling and plot reveal everything was amazingly done. Main character was really a social psychopath who was greedy asshole and would do anything to get what he wanted.
I’ve not read any book before that completely based on mystery/ thriller. I’m glad I picked this book, because it freaking delivered. I’m absolutely disgusted and impressed by this book equal parts. It was chilling, especially the ending. I liked Dorothy, she was really naive and love starved yet sweet girl. Then we have her sister Ellen who is also a sweet girl but have fierce personality and blame herself for her sister suicide ( not suicide really). And become girl detective to find out the truth. I was heartbroken for her though. And then we have Marion, third sister. I didn’t like her.
Overall, plot, storytelling and plot reveal everything was amazingly done. Main character was really a social psychopath who was greedy asshole and would do anything to get what he wanted.
emmaisreadingthis's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
gticlo's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
savble23's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
In short, I would rate it 3.5-4.5 I wouldn't read it a second time, wasn't horrible but it wasn't great either.
I'm going to be honest; this book took me four months of procrastinating to finally decide to pick it up and finish reading. I forced through 50 pages at first, didn't read for a while, then just decided, "Why not?" I just finished it today. I think the way it was written, or maybe even just worded, was confusing to me. And a small thing that truly bothered me was that Dorothy's fiance was never referred to by name throughout most of the book. I thought he didn't have a name. **SPOILERS PAST THIS POINT**
But when it reached that plot twist, I would say about 170. It got me hooked on reading it; it twists around so much with the plot that it's crazy. But it isn't overwhelming; it draws you in and keeps you there. However, after Bud killed Dwight (I think that's his name), it was like the book jumped off that cliff of being extremely good. The last 100 pages were a total drag. I read the first few pages of the "Marion" part, but I gave up on it and skimmed before calling it done.
I'm going to be honest; this book took me four months of procrastinating to finally decide to pick it up and finish reading. I forced through 50 pages at first, didn't read for a while, then just decided, "Why not?" I just finished it today. I think the way it was written, or maybe even just worded, was confusing to me. And a small thing that truly bothered me was that Dorothy's fiance was never referred to by name throughout most of the book. I thought he didn't have a name. **SPOILERS PAST THIS POINT**
But when it reached that plot twist, I would say about 170. It got me hooked on reading it; it twists around so much with the plot that it's crazy. But it isn't overwhelming; it draws you in and keeps you there. However, after Bud killed Dwight (I think that's his name), it was like the book jumped off that cliff of being extremely good. The last 100 pages were a total drag. I read the first few pages of the "Marion" part, but I gave up on it and skimmed before calling it done.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide