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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
John Darnielle has created a perfect object. It may not be for everyone, but Wolf in White Van struck such a chord with me. It took my usual needs of any book - interesting plot, strong characters, writing style - and went deep across all three. Personal resonance on (some of) the story, a real and complex protagonist, and an unparalleled writing style. To the last point, I usually spend most of my time reading at somewhat of a surface level, like mild ADD. But Darnielle's style demands careful focus, at the word-by-word level and at the macro level of writing a story in reverse order, and it just clicked for me. The palatable 200 page size helped significantly in this regard, though I did not want it to end.
If the plot sounds at all interesting (and know that it really does not require a strong interest in gaming, though it did help hook a nerd like me), and you get through the first couple of pages, I can't recommend Wolf in White Van strongly enough, and I look forward to Darnielle's next.
If the plot sounds at all interesting (and know that it really does not require a strong interest in gaming, though it did help hook a nerd like me), and you get through the first couple of pages, I can't recommend Wolf in White Van strongly enough, and I look forward to Darnielle's next.
utterly mesmerizing. want to come back and write way more on this later. also, at some parts, very horrifying. try and read this book if you can.
I read this novel over several months, but that shouldn't discredit it. Wolf in White Van is very well-written. I really enjoyed getting to see a different part of John Darnielle's brain. I've read some reviews in which people weren't into the structure of the book. I really liked it, because it kept me engaged. This is a story that isn't told very often from the perspective of someone whose interests are neglected in popular fiction. Even though I couldn't relate, it felt nice to understand the feelings of people like this. It left me even more excited for JD's next book.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Mental illness
I liked how thoroughly this novel was able to put the reader inside another person's mind. I got a good feel for what it was like to be this other person who had an extreme experience and who lived a very isolated and unusual life. There's no traditional plot or conflict really, more of a description of an experience, but I think the writing was very good and I liked reading this book a lot.
I still need some time to reflect on this one I think. Ominous to the end. Hmmmm.
Asks a lot of tough questions and doesn’t hold your hand in trying to answer them. Sometimes violence is unexplainable, the result of an urge unignored. Sometimes we do things for no reason other than to see what happens.
This was an engaging read; I loved the interweaving of the Trace Italian with the backwards walk through Sean’s scarred history. It ultimately left something to be desired, but I appreciate the not so pleasant feelings it left me with.
This was an engaging read; I loved the interweaving of the Trace Italian with the backwards walk through Sean’s scarred history. It ultimately left something to be desired, but I appreciate the not so pleasant feelings it left me with.
Some excellent passages and a compelling story, yet ultimately unsatisfying.
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated