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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
I came to this author a bit later than most, having first discovered their work through the captivating Rats series, which I absolutely adored. Therefore, I approached this new book with high hopes and eager anticipation.
Regrettably, it fell short of my expectations. The premise had great potential, filled with intriguing concepts that initially drew me in. However, as I delved deeper into the story, I found the suspense to be lacking—something I was particularly looking forward to.
I didn't really care for the main characters either. I didn't jel with their story, and although I can't even begin to imagine how they felt losing a son, they just didn't seem fully rounded as characters.
Additionally, I couldn't help but be put off by the term used for Golly dolls; it's not that they aren't P.C. as the book said. It's that the word itself is a racist term.
Regrettably, it fell short of my expectations. The premise had great potential, filled with intriguing concepts that initially drew me in. However, as I delved deeper into the story, I found the suspense to be lacking—something I was particularly looking forward to.
I didn't really care for the main characters either. I didn't jel with their story, and although I can't even begin to imagine how they felt losing a son, they just didn't seem fully rounded as characters.
Additionally, I couldn't help but be put off by the term used for Golly dolls; it's not that they aren't P.C. as the book said. It's that the word itself is a racist term.
This is my first venture in to James Herbert. Based on many sites this appears to be his best work. This book is so well written and beautifully told that I cannot wait to check out his other novels. I have recently been on a haunted house kick and this is the best to date.
I wouldn’t mind seeing this made into a episode feature like Hill House.
I wouldn’t mind seeing this made into a episode feature like Hill House.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
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
I don't like the writing and how it makes it incredibly obvious that this was written by a Man.
The Secret of Crickley Hall by James Herbert
This was the first James Herbert book I read and it's fair to say, it scared the life out of me! It was a great read that kept me intrigued in the story and the building. It covered two periods of time and revealed a part of each bit by bit. This was the book that made me want to read more James Herbert.
This was the first James Herbert book I read and it's fair to say, it scared the life out of me! It was a great read that kept me intrigued in the story and the building. It covered two periods of time and revealed a part of each bit by bit. This was the book that made me want to read more James Herbert.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this book while recovering from being ill, so that might have influenced my view of the book.
The last few James Herbert books I've read have been his older work, and I was bothered by the patriarchal (arguably misogynist) leanings in those books (the women were characterless damsels offered to the male protagonists like a reward, even when we were told they were leading scientists, while the male protagonists themselves were hardened heroes of the 80s-action-film stripe). I went into this book worried I'd find more of the same. While the gender dynamics of the characters are fairly traditional (the leading man is a rational, tough engineer, who supports his family financially while his superstitious but generally pure, religious wife has given up her job in fashion journalism...) they all feel more like real, layered people.
In the end I enjoyed the book, and was tempted to rate it a bit higher. It held my attention over the tiredness and nausea, and managed to get me invested in the characters and their story when the rest of my attention has been focussed on drinking enough water and timing paracetamol doses. So the book definitely got a lot right.
On the other hand, the ghost story was fairly predictable (I figured out nearly all the details of the 'secret' before they were revealed), and the writing, while generally decent, got clumsy at times and broke immersion. Although the book built tension well at the beginning of the book, the climax didn't feel all that scary because of the way a non-supernatural element was introduced. It meant there was a buffer of exposition between the build-up and the ending, which detracted from the story's conclusion.
The last few James Herbert books I've read have been his older work, and I was bothered by the patriarchal (arguably misogynist) leanings in those books (the women were characterless damsels offered to the male protagonists like a reward, even when we were told they were leading scientists, while the male protagonists themselves were hardened heroes of the 80s-action-film stripe). I went into this book worried I'd find more of the same. While the gender dynamics of the characters are fairly traditional (the leading man is a rational, tough engineer, who supports his family financially while his superstitious but generally pure, religious wife has given up her job in fashion journalism...) they all feel more like real, layered people.
In the end I enjoyed the book, and was tempted to rate it a bit higher. It held my attention over the tiredness and nausea, and managed to get me invested in the characters and their story when the rest of my attention has been focussed on drinking enough water and timing paracetamol doses. So the book definitely got a lot right.
On the other hand, the ghost story was fairly predictable (I figured out nearly all the details of the 'secret' before they were revealed), and the writing, while generally decent, got clumsy at times and broke immersion. Although the book built tension well at the beginning of the book, the climax didn't feel all that scary because of the way a non-supernatural element was introduced. It meant there was a buffer of exposition between the build-up and the ending, which detracted from the story's conclusion.