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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
dark
fast-paced
2.5 stars. I don't know what to think of this: It's outside my usual comfort level. I knew it would be a stretch, but it was a free download and the description intrigued me so I gave it a try. It was not as bad as I feared, but… it wasn't as good as I had hoped, either. And, on top of all that, it's a novella, so in an awkward form, where I don't quite understand the usual rhythms.
For anybody else intrigued enough to try it, I'll say that it wasn't as gory as I feared, but… there was a lot of discussion of blood.
For anybody else intrigued enough to try it, I'll say that it wasn't as gory as I feared, but… there was a lot of discussion of blood.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Infertility, Self harm, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder
A strange and unsettling little tale, beautifully written but lacking in any sense of narrative urgency - a slice-of-life horror that anyone you see on the street could be suffering.
This is a book I've had on my radar pretty much since it came out and god am I glad I didn't read it then because I don't think I would have liked it nearly as much as I do now. Truly the only thing stopping this from being a 5 is that I didn't love the framing device, but otherwise this was absolutely fantastic. I will definitely be reading the next book and looking into Tade Thompson's other work.
https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/2977240.html
A very effectively told tale of doppelgangers and body horror. I felt it was a bit closer to the horror side of the genre than is generally my taste. Also, annoyingly, Molly’s mother keeps calling her Dorogoy; of course, it should be Dorogaya, or more phonetically Daragoy/Daragaya (дорогой is masculine, дорогая feminine).
A very effectively told tale of doppelgangers and body horror. I felt it was a bit closer to the horror side of the genre than is generally my taste. Also, annoyingly, Molly’s mother keeps calling her Dorogoy; of course, it should be Dorogaya, or more phonetically Daragoy/Daragaya (дорогой is masculine, дорогая feminine).
It seems the books I've been reading of late all explore the theme of personal identity - and boy is this one a doozy! The premise of the story sets up a visceral metaphor for personal growth. We must battle those born from our failures and setbacks lest we become (or are killed by) them.
Although the story takes place over a number of years, a singular mood of somber expectancy is maintained throughout. This is due partly to the novella length of the book (I've always felt that horror works best in shorter forms), but mostly to Thompson's skill as a writer. The Murders of Molly Southbourne is a strange, unsettling, but ultimately satisfying reading experience - highly recommended.
Although the story takes place over a number of years, a singular mood of somber expectancy is maintained throughout. This is due partly to the novella length of the book (I've always felt that horror works best in shorter forms), but mostly to Thompson's skill as a writer. The Murders of Molly Southbourne is a strange, unsettling, but ultimately satisfying reading experience - highly recommended.
