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pbro42's review against another edition
1.0
Plodding. The jumps between time periods were confusing and not clearly delineated. The characters were wooden and lacked substance. None of the rationale for them following the guru made sense to me.
Why did he name the wife and the main character the same thing? It was frustrating to read.
I gave up a third of the way in.
Why did he name the wife and the main character the same thing? It was frustrating to read.
I gave up a third of the way in.
aquinas's review against another edition
4.0
Good book, extremely different than most of Straub's books. Hints of Lovecraft, and you have to pay close attention to what your reading or youll lose track of whats going on.
stevie_2e's review against another edition
2.0
I have typically enjoyed Straub's writing, but this novel was a chore. I struggled with giving up entirely - something I rarely do - but kept plodding along hoping at some point I'd be rewarded for my determination. The only reward was at last reaching the final word on the last page. Sadly, the characters were fragmented and unknowable, I didn't care much about them at all. Their common thread was a heavy subject but the reveal was much ado about nothing.
arthurbdd's review against another edition
1.0
Absolutely risible nonsense, collapsing under the weight of its own incoherence. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/2011/08/06/a-daft-matter/
carroll_austen's review against another edition
4.0
I swear this man and I have the same nightmares.
chukg's review against another edition
4.0
Strange tale, pieced together by someone on the edge of it decades later. Very well done, it's mostly about the aftermath of a brief supernatural event in the 60s and its lasting effects on those who were there.
lele8809's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-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? No
3.0
jarthur's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
erinfrich's review against another edition
1.0
All I can say about this book is WTH?! I really had no idea what was going on, and figured it would have made more sense if I was stoned or dropped some acid. I am sure I missed something somewhere, I just don't know what. Took me forever to finish too, so kinda disappointed.
crowyhead's review against another edition
4.0
I could NOT put this book down, and came really, really close to being completely antisocial while I was reading it. I found it more absorbing than some of Straub's more recent work, although it is also clear that Straub is still experimenting with the reliability of his narrative and the concept of authorship.
The basic premise is pretty straightforward, and one that's a popular trope for horror writers (Straub has even used it in the past). Decades ago, four of Lee Hayward's friends (including his girlfriend, Lee Truax, also known as the Eel) became fascinated with a New Age guru named Spencer Mallon. One night, Mallon, Lee's four friends, and three other young college students attempted some kind of ritual in a field that resulted in the death of one student and the disappearance of another. All of Lee's friends survived, but they were all irrevocably scarred by the event, and none of them have ever consented to discuss it -- until now.
Lee gradually pieces together what happened by talking to those who were involved, but everyone's version is a little different, and enigmas abound. This book is going to frustrate the heck out of some readers, but I really enjoyed it, and there are parts of it that are going to live on in my imagination for a long time to come.
The basic premise is pretty straightforward, and one that's a popular trope for horror writers (Straub has even used it in the past). Decades ago, four of Lee Hayward's friends (including his girlfriend, Lee Truax, also known as the Eel) became fascinated with a New Age guru named Spencer Mallon. One night, Mallon, Lee's four friends, and three other young college students attempted some kind of ritual in a field that resulted in the death of one student and the disappearance of another. All of Lee's friends survived, but they were all irrevocably scarred by the event, and none of them have ever consented to discuss it -- until now.
Lee gradually pieces together what happened by talking to those who were involved, but everyone's version is a little different, and enigmas abound. This book is going to frustrate the heck out of some readers, but I really enjoyed it, and there are parts of it that are going to live on in my imagination for a long time to come.