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msmagoo502's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
tcgarback's review
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
1.0
⭐️
Critical Score: F
Personal Score: D
Wow, what a letdown. Horrifically boring. No, not even horrifically. There was no horror in this. It was just endless pretentious description for early 20th century bucolic life in New England.
I was charmed by the setting at first. And then the author gave us every uninteresting detail about it that he could muster. (Well not every one, because Tyron’s rambled further about farm life in a few other books.)
The suspense is so very basic. The twist is so very predictable.
Now, that’s partly because this novel set the standard for the evil twin trope and the trope delivered in the plot twist (I won’t spoil it). So of course this book won’t feel inventive. It’s been redone over and over in our culture.
But still. Did the book have to be this miserably boring? I could scream. I had to skim most of it.
Not to mention how it’s a damaging and stupid depiction of mental illness. Which is a result of the book’s age, but that doesn’t mean this depiction isn’t still harmful.
Although frequently associated with The Exorcist and Rosemary’s Baby as one of the three books that led to the horror craze of the 70s (and set the stage that encouraged Stephen King’s work to be accepted into mainstream publishing), The Other is by no means as good as either of those classics. I thought maybe The Other was largely forgotten today because it didn’t have an iconic film adaptation like the other two; but nope, it has to be because this novel is undeniably poor compared to The Exorcist and Rosemary’s Baby. IMO, at least.
What an absolute failure.
Critical Score: F
Personal Score: D
Wow, what a letdown. Horrifically boring. No, not even horrifically. There was no horror in this. It was just endless pretentious description for early 20th century bucolic life in New England.
I was charmed by the setting at first. And then the author gave us every uninteresting detail about it that he could muster. (Well not every one, because Tyron’s rambled further about farm life in a few other books.)
The suspense is so very basic. The twist is so very predictable.
Now, that’s partly because this novel set the standard for the evil twin trope and the trope delivered in the plot twist (I won’t spoil it). So of course this book won’t feel inventive. It’s been redone over and over in our culture.
But still. Did the book have to be this miserably boring? I could scream. I had to skim most of it.
Not to mention how it’s a damaging and stupid depiction of mental illness. Which is a result of the book’s age, but that doesn’t mean this depiction isn’t still harmful.
Although frequently associated with The Exorcist and Rosemary’s Baby as one of the three books that led to the horror craze of the 70s (and set the stage that encouraged Stephen King’s work to be accepted into mainstream publishing), The Other is by no means as good as either of those classics. I thought maybe The Other was largely forgotten today because it didn’t have an iconic film adaptation like the other two; but nope, it has to be because this novel is undeniably poor compared to The Exorcist and Rosemary’s Baby. IMO, at least.
What an absolute failure.
jrabbit12's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of the most unique books I have read in a very long time. The writing is dynamic and strong and the characters compelling. I wanted to reread it before I was even done with it as things were brought to light that were hinted at in the preceding pages. I'm excited to read Tryon's other stuff!
badseedgirl's review
4.0
I sometimes still have nightmares about these twin boys, and although the ending is almost cliche, it is important to note that when it was written is was fresh, a true psychological thriller, and the only reason it is cliched is because some many novel have copied it over the years.
etakloknok's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mbkarapcik's review against another edition
4.0
The Other by Thomas Tryon is about two teenaged twin boys who reside at their family's farm in rural Connecticut in the mid to late 1930s. Days are spent running through fields, swimming in ponds, and pretending to be various storybook characters and the like. It's an idyllic time for these blond, blue-eyed boys named Holland and Niles Perry.
Unfortunately, despite the bucolic small town charm, something strange has been happening. Freak accidents and deaths occur that disrupt the easy life that people live in the fictional Pequot Landing. It especially seems to be affecting the Perry family, including the boys whose father died several months ago. Is it a malevolent, otherworldly force? A psychopathic killer on the loose? What is going on? And what it The Game that they play with their Russian grandmother?
One lazy Sunday, I turned on our upstairs TV, which doesn't have cable, and happened upon the 1972 movie, "The Other." I couldn't turn it off because I was trying to figure out what was the deal with these twin boys. It was strangely pleasant to see the beautiful farm and the boys enjoying a lazy summer. Then things start to happen. It's very hard to find this movie although you can watch it and a great documentary on YouTube. You'll see the late John Ritter from Three's Company play a supporting role, BTW, before he became famous.
A former, Golden Globe-winning actor, Thomas Tryon, wrote and published it in 1971. Along with Rosemary's Baby and The Exorcist, it was one of the most popular and famous horror books of the day. This is before Stephen King came in and donned his crown as the horror king. I couldn't wait to read it.
The writing and description of the area the twins live in is thoroughly described and in beautiful language. You really feel like you're there and can imagine the town and its people within it including the extended Perry family. It draws you in, and you may almost think it too boring. It takes a while to realize what's happening. In fact, I was about 70 percent into the book before it starts taking you on a roller coaster of horrors.
At times, I thought it was sad instead of scary. You feel fooled by the pleasant setting and simple life that the boys enjoy. Once upon a time, family life appeared normal until you start learning of little things thrown here and there that give you pause. Even though the exposition takes time, it felt rewarding in the end. It's sad and chilling and really well-done. It's not hard to see how this book influenced so many different books within the realms of horror, suspense, and thrillers.
I think that if you can watch the movie and read the book, it explains a lot more. Some things in the movie hide some of the underlying issues in the book. Once you read the book, which is somewhat difficult to find (my local library didn't have it), it clears up some events that occur in the movie. If you watch the movie documentary, you'll find out that some of the film was cut, which eliminated some of what the book covers. Same old story that the book is better than the movie. Give it a try and see what you think.
Unfortunately, despite the bucolic small town charm, something strange has been happening. Freak accidents and deaths occur that disrupt the easy life that people live in the fictional Pequot Landing. It especially seems to be affecting the Perry family, including the boys whose father died several months ago. Is it a malevolent, otherworldly force? A psychopathic killer on the loose? What is going on? And what it The Game that they play with their Russian grandmother?
One lazy Sunday, I turned on our upstairs TV, which doesn't have cable, and happened upon the 1972 movie, "The Other." I couldn't turn it off because I was trying to figure out what was the deal with these twin boys. It was strangely pleasant to see the beautiful farm and the boys enjoying a lazy summer. Then things start to happen. It's very hard to find this movie although you can watch it and a great documentary on YouTube. You'll see the late John Ritter from Three's Company play a supporting role, BTW, before he became famous.
A former, Golden Globe-winning actor, Thomas Tryon, wrote and published it in 1971. Along with Rosemary's Baby and The Exorcist, it was one of the most popular and famous horror books of the day. This is before Stephen King came in and donned his crown as the horror king. I couldn't wait to read it.
The writing and description of the area the twins live in is thoroughly described and in beautiful language. You really feel like you're there and can imagine the town and its people within it including the extended Perry family. It draws you in, and you may almost think it too boring. It takes a while to realize what's happening. In fact, I was about 70 percent into the book before it starts taking you on a roller coaster of horrors.
At times, I thought it was sad instead of scary. You feel fooled by the pleasant setting and simple life that the boys enjoy. Once upon a time, family life appeared normal until you start learning of little things thrown here and there that give you pause. Even though the exposition takes time, it felt rewarding in the end. It's sad and chilling and really well-done. It's not hard to see how this book influenced so many different books within the realms of horror, suspense, and thrillers.
I think that if you can watch the movie and read the book, it explains a lot more. Some things in the movie hide some of the underlying issues in the book. Once you read the book, which is somewhat difficult to find (my local library didn't have it), it clears up some events that occur in the movie. If you watch the movie documentary, you'll find out that some of the film was cut, which eliminated some of what the book covers. Same old story that the book is better than the movie. Give it a try and see what you think.
katermannx's review against another edition
1.0
Gave up at around page 100. I only got so far clinging to the hope that this mess would eventually get better but it didn‘t. In fact there seems to be no real story at all. Reading only a few pages of this book feels like torture. When grandma Ada once again began her sleep-inducing drivel I closed the book for good. Sorry, douschka.
pbraue13's review against another edition
5.0
So many twists and turns! The narrator and author lull you into a false sense of security that is ripped from under you as the novel progresses. It reminded me of the works of Shirley Jackson, Patricia Highsmith, and some Agatha Christie and I loved it. I delighted in the language and gothic tone of it as well as its thoughts on nostalgia, childhood, and the horror of the passage of time. So so good!
tricapra's review against another edition
3.0
This book was very much a slow burn, I struggled to stay interested for the first 90% but when it got going it really barreled along. I was caught off guard by the plot twist and did enjoy the ending, but I don't know if it was worth the struggle. I don't care much for the minutiae of small town life in the 30s, so I'm sure some of the charm of the book was lost on me. I'll give the film a shot next.
billymac1962's review against another edition
4.0
This movie was quite unsettling when I saw it back on the 70s. But despite having seen the film, it did not take away from the enjoyment of the novel. Most people would probably have given this one a pass if they had known that Tryon was an actor before he wrote this, but this guy was (he died of cancer in 1991) some fine writer. The movie was very true to the novel, so there will be no surprises with the dreadful turns that both the novel and movie follow.
But like I said, it's still a fine read. If you haven't seen the movie,
you're in for a real treat here.
But like I said, it's still a fine read. If you haven't seen the movie,
you're in for a real treat here.