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teaandtales1's review
dark
slow-paced
3.5
๐๐พ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ธ๐ป: D.A. Butcher
๐๐ต๐ธ๐ฝ: Louis Lockhart's life crumbles around him after his son goes missing in this Dust Bowl psychological-horror novel.
๐๐ช๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ผ: 275
๐๐ฎ๐ท๐ป๐ฎ: Historical fiction, horror, drama
๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฑ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ต ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ผ๐ฝ: barely
๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ถ๐ฎ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฒ๐ธ๐ญ: 1930s Kansas
๐๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ซ๐ธ๐ธ๐ด๐ผ ๐'๐ฟ๐ฎ ๐ต๐ฒ๐ด๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ซ๐ ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ผ ๐ช๐พ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ธ๐ป: first time reading this author
๐๐ธ๐ป ๐ฏ๐ช๐ท๐ผ ๐ธ๐ฏ: No Country for Old Men, drama that spirals downward, psychological horror,
๐ก๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐: โญโญโญ1/2
This book follows the steep downward spiral of Louis Lockhart and his family during the Dust Bowl. After surviving a massive tornado, Louis' family retreats to their bedrooms in the middle of the night, with his son still terrified. In the morning, the son is gone and no trace is left behind.
Thus begins a deep dive as a father loses his sanity trying to find his son, keep his family together, all while making ends meet as a farmer who is unable to work the land due to the ever-increasing hostility of the world around him. This is part family drama, part psych horror, and ever increasing possibilities of some supernatural forces at play.
While I wasn't blown away by the writing, I thought the story was interesting. I would be inclined to pick up another book by this author.
๐๐ต๐ธ๐ฝ: Louis Lockhart's life crumbles around him after his son goes missing in this Dust Bowl psychological-horror novel.
๐๐ช๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ผ: 275
๐๐ฎ๐ท๐ป๐ฎ: Historical fiction, horror, drama
๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฑ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ต ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ผ๐ฝ: barely
๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ถ๐ฎ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฒ๐ธ๐ญ: 1930s Kansas
๐๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ซ๐ธ๐ธ๐ด๐ผ ๐'๐ฟ๐ฎ ๐ต๐ฒ๐ด๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ซ๐ ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ผ ๐ช๐พ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ธ๐ป: first time reading this author
๐๐ธ๐ป ๐ฏ๐ช๐ท๐ผ ๐ธ๐ฏ: No Country for Old Men, drama that spirals downward, psychological horror,
๐ก๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐: โญโญโญ1/2
This book follows the steep downward spiral of Louis Lockhart and his family during the Dust Bowl. After surviving a massive tornado, Louis' family retreats to their bedrooms in the middle of the night, with his son still terrified. In the morning, the son is gone and no trace is left behind.
Thus begins a deep dive as a father loses his sanity trying to find his son, keep his family together, all while making ends meet as a farmer who is unable to work the land due to the ever-increasing hostility of the world around him. This is part family drama, part psych horror, and ever increasing possibilities of some supernatural forces at play.
While I wasn't blown away by the writing, I thought the story was interesting. I would be inclined to pick up another book by this author.
bookilotty's review against another edition
4.0
Synopsis: Louis Lockhart and his family take shelter from the worst storm to ever hit Kansas. Jesse begs his father to not let the Sandman get him. That night, Jesse vanishes from their home. As Bonnie, Jesse's mother, sinks into a pill-induced sleep, Louis must try to find Jesse while holding his family together.
The first part of this book was a slow-burner and I struggled with the narrative style. But soon I found myself despairing at the things Louis was saying and doing, and before I knew it I was descending into madness right along with him.
This is a story of raw human psychology, and the horror that can come when a man tries so hard to protect his family that he loses himself entirely. A brilliant debut from D.A Butcher.
The first part of this book was a slow-burner and I struggled with the narrative style. But soon I found myself despairing at the things Louis was saying and doing, and before I knew it I was descending into madness right along with him.
This is a story of raw human psychology, and the horror that can come when a man tries so hard to protect his family that he loses himself entirely. A brilliant debut from D.A Butcher.
djohan's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
theseliterarydelights's review against another edition
4.0
Eyes of Sleeping Children is an amazing and gripping debut from an indie author. I especially loved how atmospheric the writing is and the way Butcher displays the complete devastation of the Dust Bowl while also detailing the dark descent of MC Lou as he witnesses his family falling apart. My only real criticism is the plot is quite predictable, but the vivid characters, Butcherโs style well, and an emotional conclusion well make up for it.
fantasybooknerd01's review against another edition
3.0
โEyes of the Sleeping Childrenโ is the bold new debut from D. A. Butcher, and is a psychological thriller set in 1930โs depression era Kansas at the height of a massive dust storm called The Beast of Black Sunday.
The story centres around Louis Lockhart and his family, beginning on the night of the storm hitting the family farm. After taking safety in the cellar, the family retire to bed. However, a shocking tragedy hits Louis and his family when he discovers that his son is missing. There is no sign of forced entry and no evidence that he has left the house.
As Louis frantically searches for the missing child, his wifeโs fragile mental health fractures and she lays the blame of the disappearance on a figure of nightmares, The Sandman
However, Louis looks for an explanation that is based on reality. As he uncovers the truth, it will lead him on a journey, one that will take him to the past and to secrets long forgotten.
D. A. Butcherโs debut is an interesting one. Part locked room mystery, part psychological thriller and part depression era family drama. I donโt want to discuss the plot too much as part of the experience is to uncover the different elements of the plot as they unfold. However, the plot is tightly woven with different elements bringing themselves together as the story reaches its climactic conclusion.
The book shows Butcherโs skill at researching the events that the novel takes place in. This is a particularly important feature in this type of book as if there are any discrepancies it could take the readers focus away from the story that Butcher is telling. I mean this is a setting that not everybody is going to be familiar with, and I know one of the first things I did was immediately go searching for information.
The backdrop of the storm is particularly effective as it adds to the cloying and claustrophobic atmosphere to the story. Evoking a sense of disquiet and an almost dreamlike quality to the narrative
The main character of the story Is Louis Lockhart and the main perspective is recounted through his eyes. He is quite an introspective character and we get a good grasp on his motivations and perspectives. There are several other characters, Louisโs wife who experiences a serious bout of depression throughout the first part of the book, and his brother Buck.
The book is essentially divided into two parts, the immediate aftermath of the disappearance and the search for Louisโs son and the effects that the disappearance has on the family as a whole as hope dwindles.
I found that, for me, when the second part of the story begins, it had some effect on the impetus of the story. As whilst we have the initial feverish pace of the first part of the book, the second partโs description of the slow deterioration of Louisโs mental health upset the equilibrium a little. However, it picks up pace again towards the final third of the book. There is a particularly disturbing scene which highlights Louisโs grasp on his sense of self which will definitely stay with me for quite a while, even though I would rather forget it.
All in all, this was a solid debut from a new voice, and it will be interesting to see what D. A Butcher does next
The story centres around Louis Lockhart and his family, beginning on the night of the storm hitting the family farm. After taking safety in the cellar, the family retire to bed. However, a shocking tragedy hits Louis and his family when he discovers that his son is missing. There is no sign of forced entry and no evidence that he has left the house.
As Louis frantically searches for the missing child, his wifeโs fragile mental health fractures and she lays the blame of the disappearance on a figure of nightmares, The Sandman
However, Louis looks for an explanation that is based on reality. As he uncovers the truth, it will lead him on a journey, one that will take him to the past and to secrets long forgotten.
D. A. Butcherโs debut is an interesting one. Part locked room mystery, part psychological thriller and part depression era family drama. I donโt want to discuss the plot too much as part of the experience is to uncover the different elements of the plot as they unfold. However, the plot is tightly woven with different elements bringing themselves together as the story reaches its climactic conclusion.
The book shows Butcherโs skill at researching the events that the novel takes place in. This is a particularly important feature in this type of book as if there are any discrepancies it could take the readers focus away from the story that Butcher is telling. I mean this is a setting that not everybody is going to be familiar with, and I know one of the first things I did was immediately go searching for information.
The backdrop of the storm is particularly effective as it adds to the cloying and claustrophobic atmosphere to the story. Evoking a sense of disquiet and an almost dreamlike quality to the narrative
The main character of the story Is Louis Lockhart and the main perspective is recounted through his eyes. He is quite an introspective character and we get a good grasp on his motivations and perspectives. There are several other characters, Louisโs wife who experiences a serious bout of depression throughout the first part of the book, and his brother Buck.
The book is essentially divided into two parts, the immediate aftermath of the disappearance and the search for Louisโs son and the effects that the disappearance has on the family as a whole as hope dwindles.
I found that, for me, when the second part of the story begins, it had some effect on the impetus of the story. As whilst we have the initial feverish pace of the first part of the book, the second partโs description of the slow deterioration of Louisโs mental health upset the equilibrium a little. However, it picks up pace again towards the final third of the book. There is a particularly disturbing scene which highlights Louisโs grasp on his sense of self which will definitely stay with me for quite a while, even though I would rather forget it.
All in all, this was a solid debut from a new voice, and it will be interesting to see what D. A Butcher does next
karlakayjenniges's review
4.0
"The innocence behind the eyes of sleepinโ children is how we break the cycle. Thatโs where we find understandinโ and true love and faith and all the things that make the world a better place. All the greed and pride in the world are jusโ bad habits we adopt to fit in. To survive."
I absolutely adore the little children: Dorothy, Jesse, sweet Annie!
My heart burned with grief for these sweet little angels. The horrors they suffer by the choices made by their parents and other adults is detestable.
The hardship of trying to survive the desolation set upon the land was too much for Louis to endure. Dust storms, unrelenting heat, tornadoes, and a shortage of food supply. Something has taken his children, which causes his mind to snap. He begins to perform unthinkable acts upon his family and neighbors without remorse.
Bonnie has created a deep shell around herself. She doesn't want to face her fears or the traumatic events that occurred in her past. She wraps herself into a world of unreality.
There is so much darkness and depravity. Anger, fear, sadness, and hidden secrets. Secrets that have been locked into the deepest corners of the mind. The obscurity of the Sandman was truly haunting, a creation only our imagination can cause us to believe. Because we would rather believe in fairytale monsters, not human monsters that are causing unspeakable pain.
The story is built slowly with persistent dread. Disquieting plot twists and unsuspecting turn of events. There is very little happiness in the end. Just a kindling of hope to a possible better life for the littles.
With the great imagery written throughout, one can actually feel as if they have stepped back in time and entered a world of desolation. Dry, dusty, dogged heat, the rumbling tornadoes, and the surrounding bleakness.
The horror is profound!
An enjoyable, yet unsettling novel of dreadful gloom!
I absolutely adore the little children: Dorothy, Jesse, sweet Annie!
My heart burned with grief for these sweet little angels. The horrors they suffer by the choices made by their parents and other adults is detestable.
The hardship of trying to survive the desolation set upon the land was too much for Louis to endure. Dust storms, unrelenting heat, tornadoes, and a shortage of food supply. Something has taken his children, which causes his mind to snap. He begins to perform unthinkable acts upon his family and neighbors without remorse.
Bonnie has created a deep shell around herself. She doesn't want to face her fears or the traumatic events that occurred in her past. She wraps herself into a world of unreality.
There is so much darkness and depravity. Anger, fear, sadness, and hidden secrets. Secrets that have been locked into the deepest corners of the mind. The obscurity of the Sandman was truly haunting, a creation only our imagination can cause us to believe. Because we would rather believe in fairytale monsters, not human monsters that are causing unspeakable pain.
The story is built slowly with persistent dread. Disquieting plot twists and unsuspecting turn of events. There is very little happiness in the end. Just a kindling of hope to a possible better life for the littles.
With the great imagery written throughout, one can actually feel as if they have stepped back in time and entered a world of desolation. Dry, dusty, dogged heat, the rumbling tornadoes, and the surrounding bleakness.
The horror is profound!
An enjoyable, yet unsettling novel of dreadful gloom!
still_reading_sam's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.5
"Why do we only realise that implications of our actions once it's too late to reverse the damage?" ๐
.
Spoilers/ Review for Eyes of the Sleeping Children by @d.a.butcher_author ๐
.
EOSC opens with Dorothy recieving a letter from her father, telling her The Sandman took her brother Jesse. Then we shift focus and meet Dorothy's family, her parents Louis and Bonnie, and brother Jesse aka the Lockhart family. On April 14th, 1935 a violent tornado is on its way to Kansas, and the Lockhart's. The following day, Jesse's missing and local man, Vinnie Smithers stands accused of abducting the boy. Louis and his brother Buck clashed with Vinnie over the years and accuse him. But. Could there be darker forces at work? And what of the Sandman Bonnie speaks of?... ๐
.
Dylan very kindly sent me a copy of Eyes of Sleeping Children ๐ many moons ago to review. I did read it in November 2021 and I had heard a lot of good about this one ๐
.
The time, and location of this one are very charming to me. I like historically infused stories and the back drop of Depression Era America charmed me. Something about it all that really works. I was intrigued by Bonnie and her "Sandman" and what that could mean for Louis and the family. The family does develop nicely and we do get these intriguing characters with their flaws and see how Louis fights to keep his family together in the wake of a tragedy. Louis is definitely the driving force of this story to me. There's a brilliant twist in this one which furthers Louis hunt for Jesse (if you have read it you may know what I'm on about). There's a great scene quite late on involving Louis and "riddles". Saying any more would be too big of a spoiler. The ending and one of the final twists with Louis works very well. The only thing I have to say is I'd rather it be longer if possible. I enjoyed it but I want a bit more ๐
.
Overall 4.5/5 ๐
Have you read Eyes of Sleeping Children? ๐ What did you think of it? ๐
.
Spoilers/ Review for Eyes of the Sleeping Children by @d.a.butcher_author ๐
.
EOSC opens with Dorothy recieving a letter from her father, telling her The Sandman took her brother Jesse. Then we shift focus and meet Dorothy's family, her parents Louis and Bonnie, and brother Jesse aka the Lockhart family. On April 14th, 1935 a violent tornado is on its way to Kansas, and the Lockhart's. The following day, Jesse's missing and local man, Vinnie Smithers stands accused of abducting the boy. Louis and his brother Buck clashed with Vinnie over the years and accuse him. But. Could there be darker forces at work? And what of the Sandman Bonnie speaks of?... ๐
.
Dylan very kindly sent me a copy of Eyes of Sleeping Children ๐ many moons ago to review. I did read it in November 2021 and I had heard a lot of good about this one ๐
.
The time, and location of this one are very charming to me. I like historically infused stories and the back drop of Depression Era America charmed me. Something about it all that really works. I was intrigued by Bonnie and her "Sandman" and what that could mean for Louis and the family. The family does develop nicely and we do get these intriguing characters with their flaws and see how Louis fights to keep his family together in the wake of a tragedy. Louis is definitely the driving force of this story to me. There's a brilliant twist in this one which furthers Louis hunt for Jesse (if you have read it you may know what I'm on about). There's a great scene quite late on involving Louis and "riddles". Saying any more would be too big of a spoiler. The ending and one of the final twists with Louis works very well. The only thing I have to say is I'd rather it be longer if possible. I enjoyed it but I want a bit more ๐
.
Overall 4.5/5 ๐
Have you read Eyes of Sleeping Children? ๐ What did you think of it? ๐
theseliterarydelights's review against another edition
4.0
Eyes of Sleeping Children is an amazing and gripping debut from an indie author. I especially loved how atmospheric the writing is and the way Butcher displays the complete devastation of the Dust Bowl while also detailing the dark descent of MC Lou as he witnesses his family falling apart. My only real criticism is the plot is quite predictable, but the vivid characters, Butcherโs style well, and an emotional conclusion well make up for it.
booksncatsncatsnbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Can I once again rant about how fantastic indie authors are? Iโll read them all day long versus something a new and popular artist pumps out (except for King and Koontz.) But enough about how much I love indie authors...this story really sucks you in. It starts in the midst of a huge Dust Bowl storm called The Beast. Lou wakes up to discover his son is missing, his wife (who has essentially lost her marbles...or has she?) blames The Sandman, and this sends Lou on a hunt to find who took his son. Itโs an intense ride that ends with absolutely no loose ends. Butcher really knows how to write!
This quote hit me hard and I need to share it: โYouโd be lucky to find a friendly face, nowadays. Nobody even knows what to say to each other anymore, too concerned about covering up their faces, so the townโs fallen silent like a movie without the entertainment.โ Everyone covered their faces to prevent themselves from inhaling the dust. Is this 2021 or 1930โs?
This quote hit me hard and I need to share it: โYouโd be lucky to find a friendly face, nowadays. Nobody even knows what to say to each other anymore, too concerned about covering up their faces, so the townโs fallen silent like a movie without the entertainment.โ Everyone covered their faces to prevent themselves from inhaling the dust. Is this 2021 or 1930โs?