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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A family move, temporarily, into an old house, which, they discover, is haunted by the memories of tortured children, who were sent there during world war two and subsequently died in a flood in the cellar.
slow-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
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Listened to the audiobook free, via Audible.
The Details:
Narrated by David Rintoul
Unabridged
I had the physical copy of this for the longest time but I didn't think I'd get to it if I didn't just give it a listen. I had previously enjoyed some of Herbert's other works so was still excited to get to this one.
It was fantastic. Riveting, action-packed, suspenseful, heartbreaking, cruel and terrifying. It was an emotional whirlwind.
I loved how intense the narrator ramped up his voice as scary scenes occurred. It really hooked me in and hitched my breath as I was anticipating what would occur next.
I always cringe at how Herbet has to mention someone's small breasts. I swear, everybody I've read from him, he always mentions these petite frames and small breasts. It makes me gag.
The characters facing their own grief during all the supernatural plot really enhanced the experience. I felt like I was in the story, feeling every assault of emotion that Eve, in particular, was going through.
The way the reveal was written, from the different povs was absolutely amazing. I listened to it twice to pick up on bits I missed earlier, and glad I did this because it allowed me to fully comprehend the structure of the story telling.
I'm looking into where I can watch the BBC TV adaptation now. Looking at the cast, I didn't realise it had so many actors I love, so I'm really looking forward to seeing how it brings to life this intense novel.
The Details:
Narrated by David Rintoul
Unabridged
I had the physical copy of this for the longest time but I didn't think I'd get to it if I didn't just give it a listen. I had previously enjoyed some of Herbert's other works so was still excited to get to this one.
It was fantastic. Riveting, action-packed, suspenseful, heartbreaking, cruel and terrifying. It was an emotional whirlwind.
I loved how intense the narrator ramped up his voice as scary scenes occurred. It really hooked me in and hitched my breath as I was anticipating what would occur next.
I always cringe at how Herbet has to mention someone's small breasts. I swear, everybody I've read from him, he always mentions these petite frames and small breasts. It makes me gag.
The characters facing their own grief during all the supernatural plot really enhanced the experience. I felt like I was in the story, feeling every assault of emotion that Eve, in particular, was going through.
The way the reveal was written, from the different povs was absolutely amazing. I listened to it twice to pick up on bits I missed earlier, and glad I did this because it allowed me to fully comprehend the structure of the story telling.
I'm looking into where I can watch the BBC TV adaptation now. Looking at the cast, I didn't realise it had so many actors I love, so I'm really looking forward to seeing how it brings to life this intense novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Xenophobia
Minor: War
I'm torn on this book between a three and a four star. I liked the story overall, yes it's a bit far fetched but we are talking a haunted house tale here, however I didn't actually find in that creepy and I can't put my finger on why.
I got a bit frustrated with the characters, I mean if you were that freaked by the spooky goings on, you would just move, not say that you'll give it a week and see how it goes. I also found it got a bit repetitive at times, and the whole local dialect thing got on my nerves. 'fraid I couldn't stop it, mister, doggie ran right past me'. It came out as roit pas' me. For me either write in the dialect and let the reader work it or out, ot say the particular character has an accent and let them use their imagination!
I loved it when the book got to the explanation of what happened during the flood though, it had me absolutely hooked and he did not hold back on the descriptions at all.
Am interested to see what the tv adaptation is like, I know it won't be as good but and intrigued to find out how they deal with the story line.
I got a bit frustrated with the characters, I mean if you were that freaked by the spooky goings on, you would just move, not say that you'll give it a week and see how it goes. I also found it got a bit repetitive at times, and the whole local dialect thing got on my nerves. 'fraid I couldn't stop it, mister, doggie ran right past me'. It came out as roit pas' me. For me either write in the dialect and let the reader work it or out, ot say the particular character has an accent and let them use their imagination!
I loved it when the book got to the explanation of what happened during the flood though, it had me absolutely hooked and he did not hold back on the descriptions at all.
Am interested to see what the tv adaptation is like, I know it won't be as good but and intrigued to find out how they deal with the story line.
One of the better ghost stories I've read. Would definitely recommend.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Oh my gosh, guys, did you know that British people have different names for things? And, being American, we can't possibly adapt (as the main character evidently fails to do), or remember from minute to minute what the different names are (as the author evidently thinks we the readers fail to do)? /rolleyes Seriously. We use different names. I think we can all figure out that a motorway really means a highway (to us Americans). And seriously, the gorge/ravine thing? The British don't own the word gorge. I've lived in Georgia (the US one) my entire life and I'm quite familiar with Talullah Gorge. It's not a new thing.
Besides all that, I was just bored. I saw the mini of this with the lovely Tardis/Idris-I mean Suranne Jones. I liked it so much, I wanted to read it. So I stuck it on my Wish List and forgot about it until someone gave it to me for Christmas in 2012. I finally got it down. Maybe it's because I remembered the story well enough that I wasn't anticipating anything...I already knew what was going to happen. But that's not usually how it goes for me with books. I usually love the books that the tv shows/movies I watch are based on. I felt like the author used 10 words when he could have used just one. This book could have been a couple of hundred pages and have done with it, but it just kept going and going. Meh.
Besides all that, I was just bored. I saw the mini of this with the lovely Tardis/Idris-I mean Suranne Jones. I liked it so much, I wanted to read it. So I stuck it on my Wish List and forgot about it until someone gave it to me for Christmas in 2012. I finally got it down. Maybe it's because I remembered the story well enough that I wasn't anticipating anything...I already knew what was going to happen. But that's not usually how it goes for me with books. I usually love the books that the tv shows/movies I watch are based on. I felt like the author used 10 words when he could have used just one. This book could have been a couple of hundred pages and have done with it, but it just kept going and going. Meh.