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3.35 AVERAGE
3.35 AVERAGE
A very interesting novella. I originally picked this up as a fellow Yorkshireman and archaeologist, as it sounded like it took two aspects of my personality and life and placed them into a short book. However, even though the premise of this book was in itself intriguing and the ending shifted everything nicely into place, I often find that most novellas almost seem as if they are rushing to finish a deadline. As well as this I don't believe that one of the most interesting plot points that Faber had was every resolved, which could have taken this novella to the next level. It was a very interesting and well put together book but I don't believe that I can afford it more than 3 stars.
The Hundred and Ninety-Nine Steps follows Sian, a young woman whose nightmares which involve her dying horrifically, have plagued her for sometime. After joining an archaeological dig, she meets a man, Mack, and his dog, Hadrian, and after bantering/flirting with each other, he tells her his deceased father left him a 18th Century scroll which contains the confession of Thos Peirson, and has never been read. This novella revolves around Sian and her concerns regarding her physical health, whilst also fighting her growing feelings for Mack, and her desire to read the confession inside the scroll.
So I did not like this. At all. I don't know what it was. Maybe it was too short for me, maybe it was the writing style. Just didn't work for me. The summary I read for this book stated that it would contain a murder mystery, and it just wasn't what I expected. The friendship between Sian and Mack also didn't go how I thought it would.
Overall, didn't work for me.
So I did not like this. At all. I don't know what it was. Maybe it was too short for me, maybe it was the writing style. Just didn't work for me. The summary I read for this book stated that it would contain a murder mystery, and it just wasn't what I expected. The friendship between Sian and Mack also didn't go how I thought it would.
Spoiler
I was so certain they would give into their feelings for each other and get together. I still don't fully understand Sian's reasons for not giving in.Overall, didn't work for me.
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
A moody gothic ghost story that may give you goosebumps but never really penetrates the flesh. Lots of atmosphere, but the central mystery isn't much of one and Faber doesn't seem to know what to do with his odd protagonist, setting up and casting aside interesting paths that abruptly end.
trigger warning
trauma, ptsd, depression, mention of suicide
Happy ending is when the girl gets the dog.
Happy ending is when the girl gets the dog.
Not really sure what I thought of this,it mainly just felt too slight to amount to anything but at the same time it was fairly entertaining while it lasted.
