Reviews

Mother Howl by Craig Clevenger

goobearmilltato's review

3.0

I absolutely loved Contortionist's Handbook and also enjoyed Dermaphoria, but I'm a little disappointed with this one. I've seen a lot of mediocre tv shows and movies that pepper in fantastical elements as a way to push the plot forward but then leave it open ended as to whether or not those things were true or figments of character's imaginations. This book did exactly that. So, while I was pretty intrigued by the story of Lyle Edison and his attempts to run from his past, I was let down that the actions and elements brought about by Icarus weren't meaningfully explained or explored. My mind raced with possible explanations for things that were ultimately just used as mysterious ways to haunt the main character and force him to confront his past. I wish I had each of these stories separately, instead of smushed together.

jo_183's review

dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

acharis's review

dark reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

It has been many years since I read Clevenger's last book, but I found familiarity with his voice very quickly.
There is no great mystery to solve, no revelatory answers to shake both protagonist & reader. Just captivating prose & a solid story of what it means to know oneself.

diziet's review against another edition

challenging dark funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is an odd one. For majority of book it is unclear where the story is going. But the beautiful - flowing - writing and sympathetic/mysterious characters kept me interested. 

Perhaps the whole ‘System’ element - how the characters are under the thumb of large, powerful bureaucratic forces - take up too much space at times - but it does works to set an apprehensive atmosphere, and have you rooting for characters. 

Have put it on my wish list for audio version for another read - listen. 

emmacarambola's review

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

flavroc's review against another edition

mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

richie_beamand's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

xxperksxx's review

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I am so conflicted about this book which makes me think that it’s worth a read for those adventurous readers. Would love to discuss.
4/11

#books #bookreview #bookstagram

darshang07's review

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

heathers_reads's review

4.0

Mother howl is a dark, noir-like, literary fiction. At the beginning we watch the fall out of Lyles father being taken away by the police for his crimes of being a serial killer. The impact on the family and the rest of his childhood, being targeted and bullied for his fathers crimes.

Then we have a slight time jump where Lyle is now a young adult and attempting to escape his fathers legacy. He wishes to change his identity and live in anonymity where nobody knows who he is. It is unsure at this point in the book if he has any similar temptations or characteristics as his father, whether of not he does you can sense he Carry’s deep scars wherever he goes.

There is definitely a sense of magic realism / sci-fi and fantastical elements in this book, especially when we meet a peculiar character, Icarus. He is highly flawed, unusual and hard to put into a box.

This story has two points of view. Lyle who is not who he says he is, and Icarus who strongly believes he is truly Icarus, sent to earth by Mother Howl. As a reader you find yourself wanting to believe him, especially given that the mortals can’t identify him, there is no trace of him in the system, no fingerprints and no online or photographic trace of him.

Are their lives destined to intertwine? Are their paths fated to cross? The entire book is a struggle, reflective and representative of those trapped in an unjust legal system that more often than not, hinders peoples ability to move forward and progress in life in a positive manner.

It is hard to categorize the genre, but in true Angry Robot Book fashion, it has a little of everything. If you are looking to go down the rabbit hole and question your sanity, this may be a good read for you.