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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
There are so many layers here to enjoy — fairytales interwoven as instructive fable, magical realism, and a story that, at its core, is about the draw of power and desire, the things we mortgage our souls for. For me, this brings back echoes of Bradbury’s Green Town series, especially in the schoolyard friendship of the main characters and the treatment of temptation and betrayal. Straub’s prose does not quite reach Bradbury’s masterful writing, but this is, nonetheless, an enjoyable read. One piece of advice: read this one. I tried the Audible version, and the narrator’s character voices are dreadful.
The whole thing is a bit over the top. The blurb promises that it is "frightening enough to jolt even the most jaded ghost story addict", but it is not frightening at all, and is so overdone as to jade even the most avid ghost story addict.
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A story of stories, which feels all thrown together and the slow-pace doesn't make it any easier. Most of the time I felt like young Tom, observing and witnessing, but not getting what it all means. I was promised horror and suspense, but got a lot of confusion instead. My curiosity to where it would all go and if it would make sense somehow is what got me through the first 60%. It wasn't untill then that the pieces started to fit together, but in the end I had to conclude that even though it was a story of epic proportions, it wasn't one for me.
I did enjoy this book. It took me over 50 pages to get into it at the beginning but after that I looked forward to picking it up again just to see what was going to happen next. The mystery of it all kept me hooked in.
I have to say that I don't quite get the symbolism. Either the author was too cryptic or it just went over my head. Other reviewers say that they got it so maybe it's just me! I also found the ending to be unsatisfying but that's probably a matter of taste.
I had to reread the first part of the book to remember some things once I was done. This was common throughout my reading of this book. There were people mentioned at the beginning and then later on mentioned again and I couldn't remember who they were. That is not a common problem for me. I read a lot of books and this and Under the Dome are the only two I can think of where I've really had that problem.
Overall, I think it's worth a read if the idea of the book appeals to you.
I have to say that I don't quite get the symbolism. Either the author was too cryptic or it just went over my head. Other reviewers say that they got it so maybe it's just me! I also found the ending to be unsatisfying but that's probably a matter of taste.
I had to reread the first part of the book to remember some things once I was done. This was common throughout my reading of this book. There were people mentioned at the beginning and then later on mentioned again and I couldn't remember who they were. That is not a common problem for me. I read a lot of books and this and Under the Dome are the only two I can think of where I've really had that problem.
Overall, I think it's worth a read if the idea of the book appeals to you.
I might be harsh - but, no, just no. I really wanted to like this book. I even planned on buying my own copy. Good thing I didn't!
This book was best described as another goodreads reader - "Chinese water torture".
Except for the fact that it also leaves you thirsty since it's a book and all that.
This book was best described as another goodreads reader - "Chinese water torture".
Except for the fact that it also leaves you thirsty since it's a book and all that.
Eh. I thought this book was just typical, typical, typical.
I keep wanting Peter Straub to draw me in and freak me out like Stephen King does. It never works. I think I'm giving up on this guy.
I keep wanting Peter Straub to draw me in and freak me out like Stephen King does. It never works. I think I'm giving up on this guy.
I didn’t love this as much as I did the first time around, but it was still pretty damn good.
During the extremely unsatisfying experience of reading Lev Grossman's "The Magicians", I kept thinking of how much better Straub's treatment of similar themes was, so literally the minute I finished "The Magicians" I went to my bookshelf and picked out this book to re-read. With it's nods to everything from Grimm's Fairy Tales to Hans Christian Andersen to John Fowles' The Magus, this is both a literate homage to the art of storytelling and a gripping story in its own right. The tale of two boarding school best friends, one of whom is destined to be the greatest magician in the world, and the malevolent wizard who seeks to keep the mantle for himself, this is a mournful story filled with melancholy, violence and tragedy. The journey from innocence through temptation to self-awareness provides the backbone for these characters, and the layered narratives and "realities" are skillfully wrought. A perfectly crafted gem.
I enjoyed this one. Never read any Straub before. This may have been more appealing to me if I'd read it as a 15 year old boy (like the book's protagonist), it felt a little uneven, but overall very creative storytelling and compelling imagery. Creepy and unsettling, though at times the "action" was a little unclear to me. A good weekend read.
This came highly recommended from my Dad.
This is supposed to be Horror, but to me it wasn't scary at all.
It was very very weird though.
Wouldn't recommend it.
Will not keep it on my shelves.
This is supposed to be Horror, but to me it wasn't scary at all.
It was very very weird though.
Wouldn't recommend it.
Will not keep it on my shelves.