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mtmarriott's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Came as an addition novella in The Hundred and Ninety-Nine Steps, I think someone could make a great film out of this if they took the Jonathan Glazer approach and made a very looser adaptation. The world of a capella singing, modern orchestral compositions all contained in a gothic house in the Belgian woods has a lot of potential but I don’t think this particular story goes anywhere too interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
bcpeterson727's review against another edition
4.0
Faber has maybe the most unique writing style I can think of. Three great novellas.
anatomydetective's review against another edition
3.0
Three novellas that roughly fit into the horror genre.
The Courage Consort: 2.5/5 stars. A sad, unresolved semi-ghost story featuring professional singers.
The Hundred and Ninety-Nine Steps: 3.5/5 stars. Archaeology, ghostly dreams, murder, cute dogs.
The Fahrenheit Twins: 4/5 stars. Reminiscent of Bradbury's "The Veldt," this story plays on the divide that can grow between parents and children.
The Courage Consort: 2.5/5 stars. A sad, unresolved semi-ghost story featuring professional singers.
The Hundred and Ninety-Nine Steps: 3.5/5 stars. Archaeology, ghostly dreams, murder, cute dogs.
The Fahrenheit Twins: 4/5 stars. Reminiscent of Bradbury's "The Veldt," this story plays on the divide that can grow between parents and children.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
5.0
This collection of three novellas by Faber runs quickly. The first and title story, "The Courage Consort" is a wonderful story with a double meaning title. It is about a group of singers who go to the Netherlands to pratice before a performance. Part of the charm comes from Faber's brillant character painting.
The second story, "The Hundred Ninety-Nine Steps" takes place in Whitby, yes that Whitby and those steps. There are no vampires here, at least not in the traditional sense of the word. Faber uses the town's novel reputation and gothic feeling to his advantage and tells a rather moving story about life, faith, and struggle. It also has a dog in it.
The final story, "The Fahrenheit Twins" is Hansel and Gretel in the Russian Artic. It is a worthy successor to the Grimms.
The stories share much in common with [b:The Crimson Petal and the White|40200|The Crimson Petal and the White|Michel Faber|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1308954956s/40200.jpg|1210026], but are also studies in the manner of the shorter work.
The second story, "The Hundred Ninety-Nine Steps" takes place in Whitby, yes that Whitby and those steps. There are no vampires here, at least not in the traditional sense of the word. Faber uses the town's novel reputation and gothic feeling to his advantage and tells a rather moving story about life, faith, and struggle. It also has a dog in it.
The final story, "The Fahrenheit Twins" is Hansel and Gretel in the Russian Artic. It is a worthy successor to the Grimms.
The stories share much in common with [b:The Crimson Petal and the White|40200|The Crimson Petal and the White|Michel Faber|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1308954956s/40200.jpg|1210026], but are also studies in the manner of the shorter work.
mavenbooks's review against another edition
4.0
A collection of three novellas of varying stories, all fairly enjoyable. The last one was oddest, about children raised in a strange setting and fending for themselves. I think I liked the first two better, especially the one about women helping excavate an historical site. The first, named the same as the book's title was all right but ended too abruptly. I like this author's writing though and would like to read more of his work.
litdoes's review against another edition
3.0
Michel Faber is one of my current fave authors, but I must admit I didn't get this one... Strange cos the interesting elements were all in there: the gothic chateau, the inhuman voice in the woods, the dysfuncfional group dynamics of a vocal HARMONY group... and yet something seemed to be missing... His other works like 'The 199 steps', short story collections 'Some Rain Must Fall' and 'The Fahrenheit Twins' were great though.
craftyhilary's review against another edition
3.0
I thought the title story was very good, but ultimately it just didn't hold my interest enough to keep reading the rest of the book.
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