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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
dark
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Kind of meh, kind of didn't like parts of it
As much as I like the Welcome to Night Vale podcast, I do have to admit that not everything about it is great. Certainly, there are parts of the podcast and Cecil himself that come off terribly, and sometimes the politics are too preachy.
But we're not here to talk about that.
Rather, we're here to talk about the first novel based on the show, a novel I made the unfortunate mistake of reading after having read the excellent backstory for the Faceless Old Woman Who Secretly Lives in Your Home. It's a long story that involve chronology and a desire for revenge that I'm not sure belongs to me or to the novel's protagonist.
This novel is not about that. It's not even about motherhood, despite the central relationships in it being a mother and her son, as well as the girl who has a lost relationship with her own mother. Rather, it's about community and weirdness and the sticky responsibility that comes with being a member of your community and what it means to be part of that.
A good premise, right?
Not that I can say they stuck the landing on the execution. While I did come to like the book by the third act, the first two are tedious to get through, and often I didn't like our main characters, so take from that what you will.
All in all, an interesting reading experience. Now on to the next one!
As much as I like the Welcome to Night Vale podcast, I do have to admit that not everything about it is great. Certainly, there are parts of the podcast and Cecil himself that come off terribly, and sometimes the politics are too preachy.
But we're not here to talk about that.
Rather, we're here to talk about the first novel based on the show, a novel I made the unfortunate mistake of reading after having read the excellent backstory for the Faceless Old Woman Who Secretly Lives in Your Home. It's a long story that involve chronology and a desire for revenge that I'm not sure belongs to me or to the novel's protagonist.
This novel is not about that. It's not even about motherhood, despite the central relationships in it being a mother and her son, as well as the girl who has a lost relationship with her own mother. Rather, it's about community and weirdness and the sticky responsibility that comes with being a member of your community and what it means to be part of that.
A good premise, right?
Not that I can say they stuck the landing on the execution. While I did come to like the book by the third act, the first two are tedious to get through, and often I didn't like our main characters, so take from that what you will.
All in all, an interesting reading experience. Now on to the next one!
It's not fun, funny, clever, interesting, or compelling. It has all the emotional weight of a no-stakes mid-season baseball game between non-rivals that includes no home runs or double plays, and ends 3 to 1 with no scoring after the 4th inning. Maybe their other books are better. I'll never know.
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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:
Complicated
Three stars is a little lower than what this book deserves because I really did like it. It has a sensibility and sense of humor that really appeals to me. Plus I am a huge fan of the Welcome to Night Vale podcast, which isn't for everyone but everyone should still try it just to see if they are not one of the everyone who it is not for.
The problem with the book is that I love the podcast so much and I just think it works better as a podcast than a novel. I kept wondering whether I would like it better if I had never heard the podcast because then I would not be constantly comparing the book to the podcast that I like better. But at the same time I wonder how much of the book would make sense to anyone who wasn't familiar with the podcast. The book is so filled with creferences to things from the podcast, I cannot comprehend how it would come across to someone who wasn't getting all the references.
That said, if you're really into Night Vale (like I am) you should definitely read this book. Because Night Vale. Just don't go in expecting it to be as good as the podcast. Nothing is as good as the podcast. Nothing.
The problem with the book is that I love the podcast so much and I just think it works better as a podcast than a novel. I kept wondering whether I would like it better if I had never heard the podcast because then I would not be constantly comparing the book to the podcast that I like better. But at the same time I wonder how much of the book would make sense to anyone who wasn't familiar with the podcast. The book is so filled with creferences to things from the podcast, I cannot comprehend how it would come across to someone who wasn't getting all the references.
That said, if you're really into Night Vale (like I am) you should definitely read this book. Because Night Vale. Just don't go in expecting it to be as good as the podcast. Nothing is as good as the podcast. Nothing.
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I'm a bit biased because I've listened to about 20 episodes of the podcast before picking up the audiobook. So I was familiar with the narrator, the town setting and some characters. Cecil's voice is so calming I had to go back several times and relisten due to falling asleep. I enjoyed the adventure and look forward to listening to the rest of the podcast. I'm also interested in the other nightvale novels, so I'll get to those soon.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Abandonment
Minor: Cursing, Medical content, Kidnapping
I expected more, and maybe I was at fault for constantly comparing it to the podcast. I don't think the book was as successful in portraying this beloved realm.
Still it was an enjoyable fun read.
Still it was an enjoyable fun read.
Welcome to Nightvale and all related content will forever be 5 stars for me.