Reviews

Hold the Dark by William Giraldi

renee_pompeii's review against another edition

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 against another edition

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.

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 against another edition

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.

takamalaika's review

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

lynnelovesbooks's review against another edition

5.0

Hauntingly dark, cold, bleak, and intense, this book is also beautiful in its solitude and barrenness and violence.

dennisjacobrosenfeld's review against another edition

5.0

Once in a blue moon I read a book so good, I find myself struggling to describe how fantastic it is and why. "Hold the Dark" by William Giraldi is an example of that. I've been taking my time with it, savoring the poetry of every sentence, and allowing myself to sink into the dark abyss the book opened before me. A violent tale of a small and secluded village in Alaska. I'm still struggling to find a way of describing the plot without ruining the book. I might do a proper review once the experience has settled within me. Suffice to say that this is one of those rare gems of modern literature I wouldn't hesitate to call it a work of art. It has the makings of a classic, and I would say that Giraldi's literary heritage lies with Melville, Conrad and London.

I've taken the liberty to include some quotes from the book that hopefully will show why I find it such a great read. Consider this the digital equivalent of me pushing a book into your hands and saying: Read this! Don't ask any questions. Just read it.

"The wolves came down from the hills and took the children of Keelut."

"The tea warmed his limbs, a lone orange coal or glowing hive pulsing from the center of him"

"Like grief, cold is an absence that takes up space. Winter wants the soul and bores into the body to get it."

"Above them a passel of ravens erupted from the keep of trees like black memories freed, their wings in wild applause."

"... he was beginning to fear that man belongs neither in civilization nor nature - because we are aberrations between two states of being."

susannes_pagesofcrime's review against another edition

4.0

Wow, what a hard hitting, violent tale.
I initially picked this book up thinking 190 pages - a breeze, I'll read this in a day!!! Wrong, it took me 4 days for some reason.
For the most part this book is a five star read, however the ending kind of spoiled it for me. The surprise twists and turns are amazing and the violence sometimes unexpected until it then becomes expected and just peters out to a strange fizzle.
I can see why Netflix chose to make a film based on it, I will be interested to see how they handle it.