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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't know what else I could have expected from Darnielle. Of course he would find the universal in a level of time and place specificity so fine, so granular, that it blows past all manner of triviality and self-indulgence. It's a dark, backward spiraling, nonsequential narrative that does great justice to the many "what could have been" branching lives we're all seemingly obsessed with in these days of, "too little, too late," without (thankfully) resorting to sloppy multi-timeline nonsense. Our regrets are real enough without all the metaphysics to animate them. But most of all, it is a solemn prayer to the unspeakable truth of how easily and arbitrarily it can all change forever.
emotional
sad
slow-paced
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
actual rating 4.75
This was poignant, brilliant, and engaging from start to finish. I adored the concept of this book and the slow unraveling of several mysterious tragedies as we moved backwards in time along with Sean, the protagonist. I cried, I laughed, and I overall just adored this book. I highly highly recommend. The only reason this isn't a full five stars is simply because a few moments were muddled for me but that didn't do much to lessen my enjoyment of this fantastic read.
This was poignant, brilliant, and engaging from start to finish. I adored the concept of this book and the slow unraveling of several mysterious tragedies as we moved backwards in time along with Sean, the protagonist. I cried, I laughed, and I overall just adored this book. I highly highly recommend. The only reason this isn't a full five stars is simply because a few moments were muddled for me but that didn't do much to lessen my enjoyment of this fantastic read.
Reads as if Neil Gaiman wrote a "Ready Player One" type premise...
Wolf in White Van is a very well written exploration of the nature of escapism in all of its different forms. The tone of the writing really captures the time and place accurately. The narrative IS disjointed and that is the point. This book is for anyone who knows what is like to feel like an outsider or who has felt the need to escape. It is not a happy book and its lessons are ephemeral.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Violence, Suicide attempt
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book had so much potential, but as others have said it sort of petered out at the end with somewhat of an underbaked plot. However, I would recommend it on the themes and writing alone.