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luftschlosseule's review against another edition
4.0
trigger warning
mutilation, torture, rape, suicide, mental illness
well, this was weird.
well, this was weird.
medtechgirl19's review against another edition
Strangest book I've ever read. I wouldn't recommend it.
scottishclaire's review against another edition
4.0
I didn’t know what to expect when I picked up this read, as it was a spur of the moment gamble in the bookshop but it’s definitely paid off.
I can understand why there are a lot of middling reviews for this book, as plot-wise you’re not going to get a neatly concluded story with all the loose ends tied together. The blurb on the back of the book reads like a crime novel, but you’re getting something else completely.
Glister is unsettling, darkly atmospheric and dreamlike. This world is a horrible place you know and have passed through on the way to somewhere else, but it’s that horrible place on steroids, its nastiness heightened and elevated.
This book feels distinctly Scottish; it reminded of The Wasp Factory, mixed in with a dash of The Wicker Man, Lord of the Flies and a few other delightfully gruesome references. Would absolutely read more of this author’s work - not sure he will be able to top this one, though.
I can understand why there are a lot of middling reviews for this book, as plot-wise you’re not going to get a neatly concluded story with all the loose ends tied together. The blurb on the back of the book reads like a crime novel, but you’re getting something else completely.
Glister is unsettling, darkly atmospheric and dreamlike. This world is a horrible place you know and have passed through on the way to somewhere else, but it’s that horrible place on steroids, its nastiness heightened and elevated.
This book feels distinctly Scottish; it reminded of The Wasp Factory, mixed in with a dash of The Wicker Man, Lord of the Flies and a few other delightfully gruesome references. Would absolutely read more of this author’s work - not sure he will be able to top this one, though.
bitterindigo's review against another edition
3.0
Hmmmm, don't know. There were some potent and poignant passages about dying towns, and their corrupt and stultifying effect on its population, particularly its youth. Also some horrifyingly realistic scenes about the madness of crowds, especially ones made up of adolescents. The atmostphere was well done, but overall, the book didn't really seem to know what exactly it was trying to be - a scathing social commentary or a thriller.
ameliasbooks's review against another edition
3.0
It was a 3.5 or 3.8 read in fact. It was a really gripping read. But John Burnside switches a bit between a plot driven way through the novel and something, I would describe as monologues nearly like prayers, and so the novel for me sometimes lost the thread for a while. But overall a very interesting story.
#autumn readathon
#spooky novel
#autumn readathon
#spooky novel
mulch's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I think this is possibly one of the most disturbing and depressing books I have ever read, it draws you right in start to finish
reginaplove's review against another edition
3.0
This is a book where beautiful writing overshadowed a confusing ending. That pulled this one into the like category for me.
chrisfarnsworth's review against another edition
2.0
Beautifully written, but I was disappointed by the lack of development. So much rich detail, and yet so little was actually explored.