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x_tora's review
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest
Minor: Animal death
lisahowe27's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is one of the most popular Norwegian thriller/horror novels that does not disappoint in this English translation. The woodsy, dark, creepy cabin atmosphere is what will suck you into the story. While some of the book leans toward misogyny, and this may pull some modern readers out of the story momentarily, don’t let that overshadow the rest of the descriptive wonders that take place throughout.
kperez's review
4.0
This book was written in the 1940s, for people living in the 1940s. If you're the kind of person who needs super modern "girls get it done" characters, this isn't the book for you. Personally, I like to read old books because they're weird little windows to the past. The book is well translated, the lake and the cabin in the woods are creepy and atmospheric. The characters are old fashioned and the whole book played out in my head like an old melodramatic black and white movie. (which by the way, if you look online you can find the old Norwegian movie based on the book with subtitles. I haven't watched it yet. but I will!) I don't want to give anything away, but the ending of the book is like if Scooby-Doo was written by Freudian psychologists. The ending is one of those ones that will stay with me for a while, even when I forget the details of the book. It is also a book I could see myself revisiting from time to time when I've forgotten the detail and find it on my shelf.
susanneanette's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jimmypat's review
3.0
I’m not sure how to rate this one. On the plus side, the atmosphere is terrific and very creepy. The descriptions of the woods, lake, and cabin are great. The book also moves at a good pace and I enjoyed the characters (especially Mork). However, the resolution to the mystery is totally obvious by the end of the second chapter. I hoped for a twist or some kind of alternate ending, but alas. The telegraphed ending wasn’t the worst thing, though. The explanation by the sleuth was completely ridiculous, not to mention a huge info dump. It’s worth a read, but I’m skeptical that this is truly “the great Norwegian thriller.”
musicspoon's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.5
kamzilla's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
skywalkerem's review
4.0
I really liked the writing style. I have a habit of highlighting quotes I like and then writing them down later…I shudder to think how many I highlighted in this book.
Edit: I forgot to mention the main downside of the book - the casual misogyny. But given when this book was written, that’s not super shocking.
Edit: I forgot to mention the main downside of the book - the casual misogyny. But given when this book was written, that’s not super shocking.
_suppo07's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.5
gurofl's review against another edition
mysterious
3.0