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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
DNF’d this. Way too romantic of a way to talk about a man who killed so many women and ruined so many peoples lives. Author isn’t critical of her own view of him, or her bias towards him. Weird fucking book
Content Warnings
Victim blaming, misogynistic, romantizes Bundy
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
“He was a shadow man, fighting to survive in a world that was never made for him.”
The Stranger Beside Me, written by the legendary Ann Rule, conveys her unexpected friendship with serial killer, Ted Bundy. In 1971, Ann met Ted while they were working at a Crisis Call Center in Washington. During their time volunteering, and quite literally saving lives, Ann described Ted as, "kind, solicitous, and empathetic." Over the years, they stayed in touch, sharing meals and verbal and written correspondence, even after he had been arrested. Their friendship truly proves how convincingly charming Ted could be, as well as manipulative. This new edition features a forward by My Favorite Murder co-host, Georgia Hardstark, as well as later updates and revisions by Ann Rule, and a closing note by Ann's daughter, Leslie Rule.
Can you imagine anything more sensational than a crime reporter accidentally befriending a serial killer? Ann Rule's, The Stranger Beside Me, is the most intimate true crime novel I have ever read. The sheer terror that was expanded upon when Rule arrived to the conclusion that her friend was in fact guilty of unimaginable things is horrifying. It's hard to not worry that one of your close friends could possibly be murdering on the side after having a quaint lunch with you. Besides painting a vivid description of her interactions with Ted and a history of the disappearances and murders, Rule gives voice to the many victims of Ted's vicious murder spree. Ann Rule will remain the master of compelling true crime pieces until the end of time.
4 out of 5 stars.
My favorite quote was, "Looking back, we see it is often casual choices which chart a path to tragedy.”
The Stranger Beside Me, written by the legendary Ann Rule, conveys her unexpected friendship with serial killer, Ted Bundy. In 1971, Ann met Ted while they were working at a Crisis Call Center in Washington. During their time volunteering, and quite literally saving lives, Ann described Ted as, "kind, solicitous, and empathetic." Over the years, they stayed in touch, sharing meals and verbal and written correspondence, even after he had been arrested. Their friendship truly proves how convincingly charming Ted could be, as well as manipulative. This new edition features a forward by My Favorite Murder co-host, Georgia Hardstark, as well as later updates and revisions by Ann Rule, and a closing note by Ann's daughter, Leslie Rule.
Can you imagine anything more sensational than a crime reporter accidentally befriending a serial killer? Ann Rule's, The Stranger Beside Me, is the most intimate true crime novel I have ever read. The sheer terror that was expanded upon when Rule arrived to the conclusion that her friend was in fact guilty of unimaginable things is horrifying. It's hard to not worry that one of your close friends could possibly be murdering on the side after having a quaint lunch with you. Besides painting a vivid description of her interactions with Ted and a history of the disappearances and murders, Rule gives voice to the many victims of Ted's vicious murder spree. Ann Rule will remain the master of compelling true crime pieces until the end of time.
4 out of 5 stars.
My favorite quote was, "Looking back, we see it is often casual choices which chart a path to tragedy.”
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
The only reason I took so long to finish this was because I ran out of hours on Spotify, and it was so good I very nearly bought the audiobook just to be able to listen to the last hour immediately.
It goes without saying that the content is niche, and if you don’t have an interest in true crime it isn’t for you. However, even as a consumer of true crime media I had no idea about Bundy’s story from Rule’s perspective and how remarkable it is.
The combination of their accidental relationship and Rule’s brilliant writing delivers a gripping story from beginning to end.
I know this is considered the ultimate true crime novel and I’m late to the game, and I have to admit it’s taken me so long to get to because I didn’t believe it could actually be that good. However, for once, I was wrong.
It goes without saying that the content is niche, and if you don’t have an interest in true crime it isn’t for you. However, even as a consumer of true crime media I had no idea about Bundy’s story from Rule’s perspective and how remarkable it is.
The combination of their accidental relationship and Rule’s brilliant writing delivers a gripping story from beginning to end.
I know this is considered the ultimate true crime novel and I’m late to the game, and I have to admit it’s taken me so long to get to because I didn’t believe it could actually be that good. However, for once, I was wrong.
Heard about this book on a podcast and was expecting it to be more of an in-depth, super personal, book about Bundy - but also about Rule. I didn't find her interactions with Bundy to be particularly meaningful or even very personal? She was friends with him for years, but the conversations and interactions described in the book felt superficial and like they skimmed the surface.
Aside from that - I thought it was a quick read, well researched and reported. It just didn't feel like an "inside story" to me.
Aside from that - I thought it was a quick read, well researched and reported. It just didn't feel like an "inside story" to me.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced