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moonyreadsbystarlight's review against another edition
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
I read the first third or so of this a couple of years ago and stopped just because life happened. I picked up The audiobook on a whim and read it all in one night and it was quite the time.
I'm not sure that I've totally wrapped my head around the book completely. This strange story is told going between characters and between times. There were fourth wall breaks and explorations of how things may have gone differently, as well as insight on grief and memory. Thematically, there are a lot of profound things to unpack. However, if you are a plot person, you will come out of it far more unsettled that I am. There are a lot of everyday "plotless" points in order to (in theory) discover what is behind the mystery of the tapes.
I feel like this is one I'm going to have to process and maybe reread to totally get it (and there were enough compelling bits that I would like to). I had an interesting time with it nonetheless.
I'm not sure that I've totally wrapped my head around the book completely. This strange story is told going between characters and between times. There were fourth wall breaks and explorations of how things may have gone differently, as well as insight on grief and memory. Thematically, there are a lot of profound things to unpack. However, if you are a plot person, you will come out of it far more unsettled that I am. There are a lot of everyday "plotless" points in order to (in theory) discover what is behind the mystery of the tapes.
I feel like this is one I'm going to have to process and maybe reread to totally get it (and there were enough compelling bits that I would like to). I had an interesting time with it nonetheless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Blood, Torture, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Eating disorder, and Abandonment
Parental abandonment, car crashes, emotionally disturbing scenes,mr_cain's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Death of parent, and Torture
Moderate: Kidnapping, Confinement, Grief, and Trafficking
Minor: Pregnancy
quackshit's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The book was alright, I liked it but I don't think I would recommend. Darnielle is good at setting a vibe, but I found the plot a bit difficult to follow, partially because I was a bit confused by the characters and their motivations to go do a particular thing, and partially because the time flip flopping confused me. I may have also been confused because I put the book down halfway done for a few months, which I must say attests to how much it grabbed me. Solid 3/5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Torture
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
crownofsage's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Even better the second time around. Perfect unsettling / comforting atmosphere. Can’t wait for his new book 👺🏠
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident and Grief
Moderate: Abandonment, Death, Death of parent, and Kidnapping
Minor: Kidnapping and Torture
content / trigger warning for cults
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