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zarco_j's review against another edition
5.0
I'm stunned, suffering from a major book hangover. I am struggling to find words to illuminate how much I loved this book.
I hated Malcolm, loathed and detested him. But that's the point, right. He's meant to be hated, he's a racist, bigoted, white male who deserved everything he got. His family were the complete opposite but hey collateral damage is normal right?
I honestly don't know how Steve Stred keeps doing this to me. I get so emotionally involved with his writing that when I finish the book I feel bereft, like I've lost something special.
I'm on a mission to read everything Stred has ever written, yep I'm going down that rabbit hole. Let's hope I find my way out but not for a while, I'm enjoying this wild ride.
I hated Malcolm, loathed and detested him. But that's the point, right. He's meant to be hated, he's a racist, bigoted, white male who deserved everything he got. His family were the complete opposite but hey collateral damage is normal right?
I honestly don't know how Steve Stred keeps doing this to me. I get so emotionally involved with his writing that when I finish the book I feel bereft, like I've lost something special.
I'm on a mission to read everything Stred has ever written, yep I'm going down that rabbit hole. Let's hope I find my way out but not for a while, I'm enjoying this wild ride.
jayfr's review against another edition
5.0
I'm stunned, suffering from a major book hangover. I am struggling to find words to illuminate how much I loved this book.
I hated Malcolm, loathed and detested him. But that's the point, right. He's meant to be hated, he's a racist, bigoted, white male who deserved everything he got. His family were the complete opposite but hey collateral damage is normal right?
I honestly don't know how Steve Stred keeps doing this to me. I get so emotionally involved with his writing that when I finish the book I feel bereft, like I've lost something special.
I'm on a mission to read everything Stred has ever written, yep I'm going down that rabbit hole. Let's hope I find my way out but not for a while, I'm enjoying this wild ride.
I hated Malcolm, loathed and detested him. But that's the point, right. He's meant to be hated, he's a racist, bigoted, white male who deserved everything he got. His family were the complete opposite but hey collateral damage is normal right?
I honestly don't know how Steve Stred keeps doing this to me. I get so emotionally involved with his writing that when I finish the book I feel bereft, like I've lost something special.
I'm on a mission to read everything Stred has ever written, yep I'm going down that rabbit hole. Let's hope I find my way out but not for a while, I'm enjoying this wild ride.
booksandganja's review against another edition
5.0
Oh man. This book gave me ALL. THE. FEELS. Now, I don't really hate people but I do hate racists. Like Steve, I live in Alberta. The racism and bigotry is appalling.
I could not being myself to feel bad for Malcolm. I felt bad that his family had to suffer because he was a dick, but that's about it. He deserved everything he got and more.
The horror and gore in this book were amazing. Every time I had to put it down I couldn't wait to jump back into it. At points I was scrunching up my nose because it was so disgusting. I haven't read a horror book in a while but The Stranger had me realizing all the reasons I do love horror and I thank you for bringing those feelings back.
I could not being myself to feel bad for Malcolm. I felt bad that his family had to suffer because he was a dick, but that's about it. He deserved everything he got and more.
The horror and gore in this book were amazing. Every time I had to put it down I couldn't wait to jump back into it. At points I was scrunching up my nose because it was so disgusting. I haven't read a horror book in a while but The Stranger had me realizing all the reasons I do love horror and I thank you for bringing those feelings back.
booklovingcatmom's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the scenes of suspense in this story! Stred made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up when he described the trees and any time something was happening in the corner of a character’s eyes.
I also loved the ending.
I can’t really describe the scenes without spoilers, but this was some good horror writing!
I also enjoyed reading the author’s forward and afterward; which explains more of the story and why it was written.
What didn’t work for me was the dialogue; it felt off to me, and I couldn’t really distinguish the characters apart from one another with the exception of the main character (who is basically a huge asshole as a defining characteristic).
I’ll definitely read another Stred story, but I just couldn’t honestly award this one all 5 stars.
I also loved the ending.
I can’t really describe the scenes without spoilers, but this was some good horror writing!
I also enjoyed reading the author’s forward and afterward; which explains more of the story and why it was written.
What didn’t work for me was the dialogue; it felt off to me, and I couldn’t really distinguish the characters apart from one another with the exception of the main character (who is basically a huge asshole as a defining characteristic).
I’ll definitely read another Stred story, but I just couldn’t honestly award this one all 5 stars.
lauriereadslohf's review against another edition
4.0
Malcolm and his family are taking their annual camping trip a bit late this season and instead of being met by the usual management, a tall, skinny man is there instead and he utters ominous warnings about avoiding road closures and animals and “other” things hungry for food. As if that weren’t enough, their neighbor is a stranger who refuses proper introductions and rubs Malcolm the wrong way because he’s rude and because the man is Native American. Then there’s the giant black wolf that parks himself on the deck and sneers at Malcolm . . .
Umm Malcolm, I have a newsflash for you. These are SIGNS and signs should not be ignored! Turn around and drag your innocent family back home.
Malcolm is arrogant and stupid and he does NOT listen to me or anyone else and by the middle of the story (or probably sooner) I had absolutely zero sympathy for him. He is a thoroughly nasty man filled with hate and awful thoughts. His family members are all nice people and he absolutely did not deserve them and I do not understand how they put up with him. I’d rather live with a werewolf than a man like that. At least I could throw some meat at the wolf to shut him up when he annoyed me.
When the gruesome and terrible things began to occur I went from actively disliking Malcolm to thoroughly despising Malcolm for his careless stupidity towards his family. Ugh, this guy. Anyhow, he is one guy you can enjoy watching suffer without getting a case of the guilts so if you’re in the mood for that you will love this story! Take it camping with you. I dare you, haha! I only say that because I will never go camping of my own free will ever again.
There are many disturbing things about this book besides Malcolm and it’s a good choice for a quick summer read if you’re into an eerie, secluded in the woods tale where terror lurks around every corner. 4 Stars
Umm Malcolm, I have a newsflash for you. These are SIGNS and signs should not be ignored! Turn around and drag your innocent family back home.
Malcolm is arrogant and stupid and he does NOT listen to me or anyone else and by the middle of the story (or probably sooner) I had absolutely zero sympathy for him. He is a thoroughly nasty man filled with hate and awful thoughts. His family members are all nice people and he absolutely did not deserve them and I do not understand how they put up with him. I’d rather live with a werewolf than a man like that. At least I could throw some meat at the wolf to shut him up when he annoyed me.
When the gruesome and terrible things began to occur I went from actively disliking Malcolm to thoroughly despising Malcolm for his careless stupidity towards his family. Ugh, this guy. Anyhow, he is one guy you can enjoy watching suffer without getting a case of the guilts so if you’re in the mood for that you will love this story! Take it camping with you. I dare you, haha! I only say that because I will never go camping of my own free will ever again.
There are many disturbing things about this book besides Malcolm and it’s a good choice for a quick summer read if you’re into an eerie, secluded in the woods tale where terror lurks around every corner. 4 Stars
0hfortheloveofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
“As the season changes, and October's winds begin to blow, animals and humans alike get slaughtered, as the spirit takes back some of what was stolen.”
I finished The Stranger yesterday and spoiler alert, I loved it. Steve Stred has this uncanny ability to mix beautiful prose with truly horrific events. This book was all about feelings - emotional and physical. I felt both sympathy and empathy towards certain characters that may not have been so deserving but he created such whole characters it was impossible not to feel for them. He also gave me visceral reactions with his grisly descriptions of events; like I won't be looking at grated cheese the same way for awhile. But also with his writing style, I could actually feel what was happening in the story. He didn't just say 'the tunnel opened,’ instead he said 'the walls pulled apart’ truly transporting me into the story; making me feel what the characters felt. I loved it!
The Stranger is not like anything I've read before. It's horror at its core, definitely. It's got a healthy dose of blood and guts and gore and “deer nuggets.” It is a supernatural horror story with some great sprinklings of cosmic horror about the things that go bump (and rip you to shreds) in the forest. But it's also got an important message I think everyone would benefit from heeding. It is a very real horror story about how we treat others and what we're doing to our planet. I've been thinking a lot about conservation and our amount of waste recently so this book felt incredibly timely. And I loved his inclusion of the afterward to really drive his point home and try to connect with the reader on a personal level.
I finished The Stranger yesterday and spoiler alert, I loved it. Steve Stred has this uncanny ability to mix beautiful prose with truly horrific events. This book was all about feelings - emotional and physical. I felt both sympathy and empathy towards certain characters that may not have been so deserving but he created such whole characters it was impossible not to feel for them. He also gave me visceral reactions with his grisly descriptions of events; like I won't be looking at grated cheese the same way for awhile. But also with his writing style, I could actually feel what was happening in the story. He didn't just say 'the tunnel opened,’ instead he said 'the walls pulled apart’ truly transporting me into the story; making me feel what the characters felt. I loved it!
The Stranger is not like anything I've read before. It's horror at its core, definitely. It's got a healthy dose of blood and guts and gore and “deer nuggets.” It is a supernatural horror story with some great sprinklings of cosmic horror about the things that go bump (and rip you to shreds) in the forest. But it's also got an important message I think everyone would benefit from heeding. It is a very real horror story about how we treat others and what we're doing to our planet. I've been thinking a lot about conservation and our amount of waste recently so this book felt incredibly timely. And I loved his inclusion of the afterward to really drive his point home and try to connect with the reader on a personal level.
astoldbybex's review
4.0
Thank you to Steve Stred for providing me with a copy of The Stranger in exchange for an honest review.
Note/Content Warning: This book focuses heavy on racism, as mentioned in the foreword & afterword of The Stranger — & there are a lot of racial slurs/insults/stereotypes. However, this book wouldn’t have been able to work & deliver as much of a message without it.
I’m not entirely sure what I expected when starting The Stranger; I’ve read Steve’s work before, but this? It’s evident how much emotion & thought Steve put into this piece of work. In the afterword, he discusses what brought this story to light & I strongly recommend reading this portion after reading The Stranger.
The Stranger follows Malcom & his family to a campground that they frequent quite often in the summer; only this time, they’re forced to push back their trip to fall. The family is quick to notice the difference between their usual trip and this one (wolves, a new neighbor, new trails & trees that seem to be calling to them).
The Stranger is not for the faint of heart. I, lover of gore, was even Shook at some of the gruesomeness in this novella. We got skin suits, teeth necklaces, & human meat in tupperware dishes. To be 100% honest with y’all, I absolutely LOVED the grotesque aspects of The Stranger. 10/10 would recommend for fellow lovers of gore. Each death scene is extremely wild & bloody.
This novella is an extremely fast-paced story that will grip your attention from beginning to end. I struggled to put it down multiple times (rolls eyes @ responsibilities) & was quick to pick it back up at my next available moment. Stred has quite the imagination & it definitely shows throughout this read.
Stred dives into the culture & beliefs of Native Americans & that’s the core focus of The Stranger. & also where the racism comes to play, because Malcom is extremely racist towards his neighbor, Wandering River. Steve Stred definitely did his job at making you hate this character (but at times, feel empathy for him — which you’ll understand when you read The Stranger), because wow, I was rooting for his death through the entire story.
Unfortunately, Malcom is the only character that stands out in The Stranger. Depending on how you look at it, this might be okay with you. It is a novella (therefore, less time to focus on development) & there’s a heavy focus on Malcom’s attitude & racist trait. Of course, we do need Malcom to stand out above the others. However, his family is the most #basic bunch. Their personality was very bland & you could replace them with just about anyone, and it wouldn’t matter whatsoever. This is more of a me preference & you shouldn’t let this deter you away from the story, because it’s still an amazing piece.
The Stranger is an impressive piece of work & is definitely something I would recommend to others. It does touch on very sensitive subjects, but unfortunately, racism is something that exists in this world & that we need to keep our eyes open to.
Note/Content Warning: This book focuses heavy on racism, as mentioned in the foreword & afterword of The Stranger — & there are a lot of racial slurs/insults/stereotypes. However, this book wouldn’t have been able to work & deliver as much of a message without it.
You took from us, so we take from you.
I’m not entirely sure what I expected when starting The Stranger; I’ve read Steve’s work before, but this? It’s evident how much emotion & thought Steve put into this piece of work. In the afterword, he discusses what brought this story to light & I strongly recommend reading this portion after reading The Stranger.
The Stranger follows Malcom & his family to a campground that they frequent quite often in the summer; only this time, they’re forced to push back their trip to fall. The family is quick to notice the difference between their usual trip and this one (wolves, a new neighbor, new trails & trees that seem to be calling to them).
The Stranger is not for the faint of heart. I, lover of gore, was even Shook at some of the gruesomeness in this novella. We got skin suits, teeth necklaces, & human meat in tupperware dishes. To be 100% honest with y’all, I absolutely LOVED the grotesque aspects of The Stranger. 10/10 would recommend for fellow lovers of gore. Each death scene is extremely wild & bloody.
This novella is an extremely fast-paced story that will grip your attention from beginning to end. I struggled to put it down multiple times (rolls eyes @ responsibilities) & was quick to pick it back up at my next available moment. Stred has quite the imagination & it definitely shows throughout this read.
Stred dives into the culture & beliefs of Native Americans & that’s the core focus of The Stranger. & also where the racism comes to play, because Malcom is extremely racist towards his neighbor, Wandering River. Steve Stred definitely did his job at making you hate this character (but at times, feel empathy for him — which you’ll understand when you read The Stranger), because wow, I was rooting for his death through the entire story.
Unfortunately, Malcom is the only character that stands out in The Stranger. Depending on how you look at it, this might be okay with you. It is a novella (therefore, less time to focus on development) & there’s a heavy focus on Malcom’s attitude & racist trait. Of course, we do need Malcom to stand out above the others. However, his family is the most #basic bunch. Their personality was very bland & you could replace them with just about anyone, and it wouldn’t matter whatsoever. This is more of a me preference & you shouldn’t let this deter you away from the story, because it’s still an amazing piece.
Over your lifetime, you’ve had chances to learn, to change, to become better.
The Stranger is an impressive piece of work & is definitely something I would recommend to others. It does touch on very sensitive subjects, but unfortunately, racism is something that exists in this world & that we need to keep our eyes open to.
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