3.25 AVERAGE


Influenced by the Burke and Hare murders which took place in 1828, Stevenson explores the cruel world of developing science, penance for greed & a haunting most gothic.

This short story is the perfect length; granting the author ample time to cover all important details; covet a scene that oozes bizarre fogs; to introduce characters who make up in gall that they lack in class. All this, without risking the addition of too many details which might render the interest of the reader to be lost.

I am particularly fond of the opening scene; a causal collection of friends & a developing madness.

Reading this filled me with a deep appreciation of contemporary horror, much of which I have taken for granted. This is particularly due to the conclusion of the story which was not so shocking due to the time period in which I read it but that, I acknowledge, would have carried a horrific weight in its time.

This book was wonderful, concise, enticing & ludicrous. I would have wanted a bit more exploration into Fettes’ state of consciousness after he suspected foul play but, regardless of that, I adored this read.
dark mysterious fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

summer360's review

4.0

The story was short and a perfect blend of realism and horror. It made me curious about the crimes that took place during that era. The story showed how all our selfish actions has consequences, albeit not necessarily at the present moment.

Even though the two men, initially were not the ones to commit the heinous crimes themselves, but their silence meant their agreement. And then the decision to put an end to a life by one and the cooperation of the other to hide that fact, though solved all the matter but its consequences haunted the men throughout their lives and no one has ever survived with such a grave burden. Though we were tempted to know more about the story, but in the end, it is ultimately left to our imagination.
ilikestartrek's profile picture

ilikestartrek's review

3.0
dark slow-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: Yes
dark slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
sophiedoes's profile picture

sophiedoes's review

4.0
adventurous dark fast-paced
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No

jarmilas's review

3.0

the ending really brought it all together

jo2000's review

4.0
dark fast-paced

sarahgamal666's review

4.0

Was confused the entire time but it was quite neat
sam_bose's profile picture

sam_bose's review

3.0

This is not to be confused with the science fiction series. The story, narrates a macabre tale of procuring bodies for medical dissection, through the means of grave robbing and even murder. R.l.Stevenson , narrates the fictional tale , from real life incidents and conjures into the fitting guilt and horror trip which rides into it's conclusion