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hieronymusbotched's review against another edition
4.0
Had to really think about this one, let it linger - but a neatly plotted, dot the i's, cross the t's piece of suburban nightmare.
Most effective when it focuses on the way illness can alienate someone from their own life, though a compelling bit of domestic drama in its own right.
Will be looking for more from Lee now that he's gone and written a novel.
Most effective when it focuses on the way illness can alienate someone from their own life, though a compelling bit of domestic drama in its own right.
Will be looking for more from Lee now that he's gone and written a novel.
zellm's review
2.0
This was boring. I wanted it to go somewhere and it didn't end up doing much of anything. It stops short of being truly disturbing, although it had plenty of chances to be. This is basically just about a man who decides to give up after experiencing a health condition, lets it take over his life, and changes/pushes away everyone around him.
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
2.0
"This did not dismay James, it was just part of the natural cycle after all."
This was such an incredibly sad story. His life seems.....average. He has natural stresses of job and family, friends and home. James doesn't seem overly-stressed nor really 100% present in his life. It isn't until he wakes one morning to half his face no longer responds to his brain. His eye doesn't blink, his lips don't move up - it's as if he not longer controls half of it. He's quickly diagnosed with Bells Palsy and give time off work, told to rest and it should all work out and he should get feeling in the paralyzed part of his face in just a few weeks to around a month.
But this just the beginning of the story. From there, James struggles to find his new place in the world. I didn't find this horror - like a haunting or a crazy clown killer - but more a sad story about the value we place on ourselves and the stress to be who we think we should and how that shapes us. I had wished the story would turn to horror (I'm okay with paranormal or even a gory killer story) but instead this was just an unraveling of one man and his life and it's so hard to watch it. Not even 'train wreck I can't help but watch' but....just cringe-worth moments that were deeply saddening. I wish I'd liked it more.
This was such an incredibly sad story. His life seems.....average. He has natural stresses of job and family, friends and home. James doesn't seem overly-stressed nor really 100% present in his life. It isn't until he wakes one morning to half his face no longer responds to his brain. His eye doesn't blink, his lips don't move up - it's as if he not longer controls half of it. He's quickly diagnosed with Bells Palsy and give time off work, told to rest and it should all work out and he should get feeling in the paralyzed part of his face in just a few weeks to around a month.
But this just the beginning of the story. From there, James struggles to find his new place in the world. I didn't find this horror - like a haunting or a crazy clown killer - but more a sad story about the value we place on ourselves and the stress to be who we think we should and how that shapes us. I had wished the story would turn to horror (I'm okay with paranormal or even a gory killer story) but instead this was just an unraveling of one man and his life and it's so hard to watch it. Not even 'train wreck I can't help but watch' but....just cringe-worth moments that were deeply saddening. I wish I'd liked it more.
mmq's review
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
kaytwithay's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
pap3rcut__'s review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
meegan's review
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
2.5
tasicg's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.0
Strong concept but falters in execution of its plot. Well-written and enjoyable for the most part as a quick read.
chewdigestbooks's review against another edition
1.0
I'm still wondering what I read and what the point was. What's sad is that decades ago I know someone that had Bell's Palsy, so I remember the struggle for her. It sucked.