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cakehatwombat's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The cat lives, nothing bad happens to the cat.
One of the things I most appreciate about Shirley Jackson is how she writes characters who are both empathetic and assholes. I think that's a fine line to walk, and she does it well.
This book is a very quick read, definitely something you can wrap up in a day, maybe on the train or something.
One of the things I most appreciate about Shirley Jackson is how she writes characters who are both empathetic and assholes. I think that's a fine line to walk, and she does it well.
This book is a very quick read, definitely something you can wrap up in a day, maybe on the train or something.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
greeneggsand_sam_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
akapaldo's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death
bookb1itch's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I'm really not sure what to write about this book, except that it was NOT what I expected. I thought i was reading classic horror, but although the atmosphere was creepy and the narrator was truly wacko i felt the book took a long time to tell not very much. Not sure why this is a senior school study text?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, and Death
tyelperinquar's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Merricat has an enjoyable perspective to listen in on, and her childlike demeanor made me wonder sometimes if she was really meant to be eighteen. Her and her sister, Constance, have a sweet relationship, and it’s a joy to see them interact. Merricat is always talking about living on the moon, about riding her winged horse, marking days with symbols, putting protections on the house… she’s a cute little witch, but it’s sad to see her disdain for others become justified.
The main attraction of this book is, of course, Merricat herself, and I found the most tense part of the novel to be Charles’s visit. I quickly found myselfhating him, as he’s such a greedy and inconsiderate man. It’s so clear he only wanted the money and didn’t care a bit for the rest of the family .
The progression is driven by the characters’ interactions, but afterthe fire happens and the sisters are living in their burnt house , I found myself a bit let down, almost. There’s never any explanation as to why Merricat murdered the rest of her family , which I feel is kind of an important detail, given it’s mentioned countless times throughout the story. I would have liked to explore the reasons behind that—Merricat is such an interesting character, and it would have been fascinating to hear why she did what she did. Was it because she had to go without her supper at times? I can’t remember any other ill treatment. It just seems strange. (But then again, Merricat is a bit strange.)
I think I enjoy stories with a stronger plot, or at least, more significant consequences for the characters’ actions. The ending had me feeling a bit that all the lead-up had been pointless, but maybe I was expecting something else out of this story. Regardless, it’s a short book, and it was fun to live in the mind of Merricat Blackwood for a while. I only hope I can take some of her magic with me.
The main attraction of this book is, of course, Merricat herself, and I found the most tense part of the novel to be Charles’s visit. I quickly found myself
The progression is driven by the characters’ interactions, but after
I think I enjoy stories with a stronger plot, or at least, more significant consequences for the characters’ actions. The ending had me feeling a bit that all the lead-up had been pointless, but maybe I was expecting something else out of this story. Regardless, it’s a short book, and it was fun to live in the mind of Merricat Blackwood for a while. I only hope I can take some of her magic with me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, and Bullying
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Death
merbears's review against another edition
dark
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
An enthralling, funny, heartbreaking trip to the moon.
Content Warnings
Minor: Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, and Death
julian7's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I loved the mystery, and the writing itself was beautiful. I really enjoyed Merricat’s narration and her whimsy. I also really liked the fairytale elements like the spell-casting burials and the nursery rhymes. I’m still super confused about the motives of the killer. 🤔 There’s a reddit post with someone talking about how they think it’s because Merricat was abused by her father which would explain why she hates Charles, who reminds her of her father. Very interesting theory, would link it here if I could.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
marithap's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Death
aristarcodisamo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Bullying, Confinement, Dementia, Murder, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death, Gaslighting, Violence, Classism, and Fire/Fire injury
teganbeesebooks's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
By every right I should love Shirley Jackson's books. I loved THE LOTTERY and the ideas of all of her books sound amazing, but they just never do it for me like I want them to. I really just wanted MORE, I guess.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia, Child death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Murder, Death, Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Bullying, and Violence