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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
Both stories are excellent, dark and very atmospheric.
They also take place in different settings than the norm and take the reader to some awesome places
They also take place in different settings than the norm and take the reader to some awesome places
Hmm, I’m right in the middle with this one, I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it either. Some parts were incredibly interesting and at times I was thoroughly enjoying this novel and convinced it would be a five star read because there’s nothing I enjoy more than a story about a book or music, added bonus if it’s a horror story! These two stories had some original and unique ideas that I really did enjoy but at times it got a bit long winded and I too often found my interest waning. And that’s never a good sign when I’m reading, I want to be fully captivated and feel like I’m part of the story. I did enjoy the pure weirdness though, there was lots of it and I thought it was brilliant in that aspect. Both stories have such a strong concept, I just wish the author had drawn me in more. So you see what I mean, I’m just right in the middle with this one.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I just wasted how many hours on this? Where was the plot? I couldn’t wait for it to be over!
The Good:
I absolutely loved Jacobs' writing style and characters. He has a way with words, and can easily create an atmosphere of madness. The main characters in both stories were well developed and believable strengths and weaknesses. I felt like I knew them and were rooting for them.
Jacobs is somewhat of a chameleon when it comes to settings. Both stories felt completely different, and I really liked that. The first story felt a bit like If On a Winters Night feel to it, which I love. The second story is inspired by Alan Lomax's journal and recordings. I particularly enjoyed reading this one as I am a music nerd. It seems Jacobs really knows his stuff too.
The Bad:
Both endings. The ending of The Sea Dreams It Is the Sky came too quickly. The story grew in intensity, but about 3/4 of the way through, it rushed to the finish line. My Heart Struck Sorrow lilted along towards the end properly, but the end itself felt a bit undramatic.
In both stories there were characters that had amazing development, and then there were others that I wanted to learn more about but were quickly whisked away.
Finally, I felt like there was quite a bit of unnecessary cult-like sexual abuse in both stories. Some people are probably ok with this kind of content. I'm particularly sensitive to some of this content, however some of it is glossed over. I think some of it is necessary for plot development, but some of it just felt unecessary.
Conclusion:
I was pretty disappointed with both stories. They have amazing potential, but fell flat in their endings. I really loved the writing, and because of that I expected quite a bit from the stories. Unfortunately the endings in both stories didn't deliver their full potential.
I absolutely loved Jacobs' writing style and characters. He has a way with words, and can easily create an atmosphere of madness. The main characters in both stories were well developed and believable strengths and weaknesses. I felt like I knew them and were rooting for them.
Jacobs is somewhat of a chameleon when it comes to settings. Both stories felt completely different, and I really liked that. The first story felt a bit like If On a Winters Night feel to it, which I love. The second story is inspired by Alan Lomax's journal and recordings. I particularly enjoyed reading this one as I am a music nerd. It seems Jacobs really knows his stuff too.
The Bad:
Both endings. The ending of The Sea Dreams It Is the Sky came too quickly. The story grew in intensity, but about 3/4 of the way through, it rushed to the finish line. My Heart Struck Sorrow lilted along towards the end properly, but the end itself felt a bit undramatic.
In both stories there were characters that had amazing development, and then there were others that I wanted to learn more about but were quickly whisked away.
Finally, I felt like there was quite a bit of unnecessary cult-like sexual abuse in both stories. Some people are probably ok with this kind of content. I'm particularly sensitive to some of this content, however some of it is glossed over. I think some of it is necessary for plot development, but some of it just felt unecessary.
Conclusion:
I was pretty disappointed with both stories. They have amazing potential, but fell flat in their endings. I really loved the writing, and because of that I expected quite a bit from the stories. Unfortunately the endings in both stories didn't deliver their full potential.
Beautifully written, engaging, and pulls you in. Sadly, though, both amazingly written journeys seem to either end suddenly or pointlessly. Terrifying concepts intrigue you and draw you into disappointment.
This was such a stunning book. The prose was absolutely beautiful. It’s the kind of writing you want to savor. It’s apparent how much research he did when writing these two stories. There’s so much rich detail packed into them. There’s even a bibliography included in at the end of the works he consulted while writing these 2 stories. In the 2nd story, “My Heart Struck Sorrow”, it shows his skill on how he’s able to take a real song like “Stagger Lee” and turn it into something supernatural and menacing.
The first story, “The Sea Dreams It Is the Sky”, was probably my favorite of the two by just a small bit. Simply because during my undergrad days at the University of Kentucky I took a course on the history of Latin America and had the opportunity to visit Argentina that same year, completely falling in love with the area.
“The Sea Dreams It Is the Sky” explores topics like the U. S.’s history of meddling in Latin American governments and the horrors we perpetrate on each other while “My Heart Struck Sorrow” explores the subjects of race, privilege, grief and guilt. While reading the 2nd story, it brought to mind Victor Lavalle’s novella, Black Tom, a little. Both stories are gorgeously layered and textured with much to unpack. There’s so many great discussions that could be had. If I ever get the chance to start a book club at my library this would be at the top of the list for my first pick.
The first story, “The Sea Dreams It Is the Sky”, was probably my favorite of the two by just a small bit. Simply because during my undergrad days at the University of Kentucky I took a course on the history of Latin America and had the opportunity to visit Argentina that same year, completely falling in love with the area.
“The Sea Dreams It Is the Sky” explores topics like the U. S.’s history of meddling in Latin American governments and the horrors we perpetrate on each other while “My Heart Struck Sorrow” explores the subjects of race, privilege, grief and guilt. While reading the 2nd story, it brought to mind Victor Lavalle’s novella, Black Tom, a little. Both stories are gorgeously layered and textured with much to unpack. There’s so many great discussions that could be had. If I ever get the chance to start a book club at my library this would be at the top of the list for my first pick.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Two novellas centering on people getting obsessed about seeking out forbidden knowledge. In the King in Yellow tradition. Definitely a slow burn for both, but I didn't mind because the writing is beautiful. Having said that, I think the slow burn works better in The Sea Dreams It Is the Sky because that one's shorter. My Heart Struck Sorrow is longer and doesn't, IMO, benefit from the additional length. (Also the Black character who seems to exist only to give a modern critique of white folklorists collecting Black songs in the 30's is a little creaky.) Still, I'm thrilled to discover a horror writer who can really write and who makes the hoary "forbidden book that drives you mad" trope feel fresh and exciting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes