Scan barcode
spiritismus's review against another edition
5.0
Een boek over de rauwe wildernis van Alaska, waar de ene wereld langs de andere schuurt, waar de scheidingslijn tussen dier en mens vervaagt. De natuur is een monster, maar klopt dat wel? Is de mens niet veel monsterlijker? Een boek over mensen aan de rand van het bestaan. Een boek over wolven.
Prachtig (en wreed).
Prachtig (en wreed).
sweet_t_reads's review against another edition
1.0
Trigger warnings: Rape, death of a child, war violence, gun violence.
Like lot of people who's reviews I've read after I read this book, I agree that I went into this book thinking it something very different than what it was. It starts out to make you think this book is about wolves, and how this remote Alaskan village has to fight off these rabid starving wolfs. The reality is this book as almost nothing to do with wolves.
I did how ever like the writing style. It seemed very poetic in the way it was written. I also liked the fact that (even though the story is NOT about wolves) the author very clearly stated that wolves are not monsters, they are not killing machines. I believe he handled the topic of misrepresentation of wolves it the media very well.
I'm mostly rating this book low because I was very disappointed that it was not about when I was led to believe it was about. If the story would have been marketed for what it truly was, I believe this may have been a three star read for me. It would not have been higher due to (what I believe) unnecessary sexual references and graphic depictions of violence. I found this very jarring and honestly felt it did nothing to add to the story of this book.
Like lot of people who's reviews I've read after I read this book, I agree that I went into this book thinking it something very different than what it was. It starts out to make you think this book is about wolves, and how this remote Alaskan village has to fight off these rabid starving wolfs. The reality is this book as almost nothing to do with wolves.
I did how ever like the writing style. It seemed very poetic in the way it was written. I also liked the fact that (even though the story is NOT about wolves) the author very clearly stated that wolves are not monsters, they are not killing machines. I believe he handled the topic of misrepresentation of wolves it the media very well.
I'm mostly rating this book low because I was very disappointed that it was not about when I was led to believe it was about. If the story would have been marketed for what it truly was, I believe this may have been a three star read for me. It would not have been higher due to (what I believe) unnecessary sexual references and graphic depictions of violence. I found this very jarring and honestly felt it did nothing to add to the story of this book.
kmolson29's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Incest
renee_pompeii's review
4.0
I had to give this four stars because it ended up being so weird, bloody, violent and just...different...that you gotta respect it. First 40 pages were a slog but hang in there.
simplyb's review
3.0
The mood and the writing of Giraldi's "Hold the Dark" is dark and riveting, the cold hostility of Alaska and the natural instinct of the wolves as large of a character as any of the others who stumble in and out of this story. It's horror after horror in this book, human nature's deepest and darkest on full display as seemingly senseless murder begets more misery and woe in a town that hates Outsiders as much as it protects its secrets. All in all, it was a well-written and compelling read, and was easy to make short order as time passed much faster than an Alaskan winter normally does. But while its darkness was delectable, its sociopathy that it portrayed left a little to be desired. Furthermore, as an Alaskan, it was evident that while the spirit of Alaska's darkness and insularity was beautifully conveyed, it clearly had the markings of being written by an Outsider looking in rather than somebody who had a deep and profound appreciation of the land. In other words, Alaska was clearly meant to be a character in the book, much like setting is a character in good noir, but it was a romanticized, superficial view of Alaska that will be compelling to all but those of us familiar with it.
emilysurface's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
mangaterasu's review against another edition
3.0
The whole of the book gave me Long Dark game vibes which I liked.
The soup scene was funny too.
The soup scene was funny too.
vanbeck's review against another edition
2.0
Well that took a really dark turn in the worst way. What did I just read.
ladylunabee's review
3.0
I expected so much more out of this book. The story wasn’t the worst I’ve ever read, but it was nothing special, either. And the writing style bothered me.
I honestly only finished the book because I paid for it. If I’d gotten this book from a friend or the library, I absolutely wouldn’t have finished it.
I honestly only finished the book because I paid for it. If I’d gotten this book from a friend or the library, I absolutely wouldn’t have finished it.
takamalaika's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0