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abbennsky's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
2.75
panopticae's review
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
tiredandspice's review
3.0
Unique, but not as fleshed out as I hoped
I love this author, but I think this would have been better served as either a vague vignette of a short story (would have fit right in with his short story collection) or a longer, more fleshed out novel. Still, it’s the most original and unique thing I’ve read in a while.
I love this author, but I think this would have been better served as either a vague vignette of a short story (would have fit right in with his short story collection) or a longer, more fleshed out novel. Still, it’s the most original and unique thing I’ve read in a while.
lkkirk75's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
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
3.5
vickybrewster's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.75
howlinglibraries's review
dark
tense
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? Yes
4.0
I've been meaning to read this for ages, especially after how much I love Ballingrud's collection North American Lake Monsters years ago, and I'm glad that I finally did. It's been a while since I've read anything from this author and I had forgotten how good he is at creating these complex, flawed, and sometimes downright awful characters that I can't quite tear my gaze away from, no matter how many terrible decisions they make. I was captivated from the very start of the story and was never quite sure where things were headed, making it an incredibly suspenseful little novelette. My only complaint, and the reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5, is that the ending felt a little rushed. After 60 pages of build-up and well-developed dread, I was a little surprised by how quickly the climax came and went, and wish it had been even 5 or 10 pages longer. That said, I enjoyed The Visible Filth a lot and I'm glad I was given this reminder of why Nathan Ballingrud's work in the NALM collection was so influential on my adult horror reading preferences.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Infidelity
coralhaze's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Not sure how original the story is, as it certainly feels like the “apathetic guy with no prospects and bad relationships” character trope is familiar… but regardless, the writing is incredible and the story certainly freaked the hell out of me.