Reviews

El otro by Thomas Tryon

georgey1809's review against another edition

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challenging dark tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.75

candikat's review against another edition

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4.0

I don't know how I've made it this far as a horror fan without reading this. I went in with the mindset that this book is older than I am - first published in 1971 - so plot points that are almost tropes now were probably quite surprising to readers at the time. Even as I was predicting some events, there were still enough surprises, and Tryon's writing effectively creates a sense of dread. At the same time, it's very approachable and easy to feel as if you know and understand the characters, which makes their fates all the more horrific and heart-wrenching.

papidoc's review against another edition

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1.0

Definitely NOT a childhood favorite. Required reading for one of my high school English classes, and for me it was one of the ugliest experiences I've had with a book. Through most of the book, I was troubled and disheartened by the plot, and though I didn't exactly anticipate the ending, I knew it wouldn't be good. The imagery that entered my mind at the end is something that still comes back to me in nightmares. I don't recommend it for anyone...the worst of psychological horror.

gaia76's review against another edition

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3.0

Un buon libro, nell'insieme. La scrittura, sebbene discontinua, non mi ha disturbato; il ritmo, anche se lento, sostiene la trama. Lo definirei un horror atipico, in cui la tensione resta costante lungo tutta la narrazione. Avrebbe meritato 4 stelle, ma il momento della rivelazione per me non รจ stato reso bene. Gusti personali, senza dubbio, ma ho trovato quel passaggio debole.

magicacat's review against another edition

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1.0

Yeah why would I want to read about disgusting cruelty to animals?
Classic my arse. DNF and fuck this guy.

scheu's review against another edition

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3.0

Other reviewers of this book convinced me to plow through the first 80% in order to revel in the last 20%. Ok, fine, I said to myself, it's not very long, I can grind my way through page after page of blah storytelling.

The resolution was probably amazing in 1970, but I can't say I found it amazing in 2023. Maybe a person could read it again, knowing what they know by the end, but good lord I have no interest in chewing that white bread a second time.

carolinevaught's review against another edition

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3.0

Could be interesting. Could be predictable. Depends on how you read it. Had I read this without having to discuss it with my entire class, I might have liked it.

melmasian's review against another edition

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dark mysterious 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

4.0

hellogaby's review against another edition

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3.0

2.5