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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
Strange little book. Definitely does a good job of keeping up the eery tone and suspense throughout, but it ended a little flat for me. Embarrassed to admit I had to google what the ending met - what was the important thing??? - and then I got it but still felt like there was something missing, but I guess it was more about the message than the plot. Compelling if you like kinda sad, not quite scary stories though!
my first literary horror novel! i was gripped the whole time, full of dread. but the ending fell a little flat for me.
dark
mysterious
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:
No
Environmental decay—contaminated water.
The confusion fits the fever dream vibe. Fractured structure is intentional, but still frustrating.
Message felt forced and heavy-handed.
Mom fixates on splinters, rescue distance, creaky stairs, but disregards the larger danger.
Or maybe the environmental threat isn’t ignored so much as never considered. Everyone’s too absorbed in minor fears to notice what’s actually killing them. Mirrors society.
Still, characters feel more like symbols than people. Hard to tell where they end and the author begins—blurs too much, loses subtlety.
Less about people navigating a toxic world, more about the world forcing a point.
The confusion fits the fever dream vibe. Fractured structure is intentional, but still frustrating.
Message felt forced and heavy-handed.
Mom fixates on splinters, rescue distance, creaky stairs, but disregards the larger danger.
Or maybe the environmental threat isn’t ignored so much as never considered. Everyone’s too absorbed in minor fears to notice what’s actually killing them. Mirrors society.
Still, characters feel more like symbols than people. Hard to tell where they end and the author begins—blurs too much, loses subtlety.
Less about people navigating a toxic world, more about the world forcing a point.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
me when i drink hosewater
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A surreal and suspenseful story. The writing is excellent and very unique. I like that the main plot has already happened and we jump into the story at its aftermath. Keep an eye on your kids and don't drink funny water?
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Experimental form. Dark tone. Samantha Schweblin’s writing is incredible. Her stories are full of details that immerse you in a real world with unreal events that seem closer to reality than one would expect.
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes