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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death
Philomela Drax was born into misfortune. Her mother was a dirt poor seamstress and Philo herself had no money and no prospects. When Philo and her mother Mary connect with Mary's father and learn he has a large fortune he'd like to pass down, things seem to be moving in a positive direction. Until the Slapes. Especially Katie. Katie Slape is evil incarnate, with supernatural prowess to boot. With one touch she can dig into the deepest crevices of minds, pulling out information that is most useful to her. If you have anything over $100 on you--run. Having preyed on Philo's family in order to steal their fortune, Philo is mortified that the Slapes and their devil girl will no doubt have her, too. Low on cash and loved ones, Philo must make her own way in order to recover her family's fortune and ensure that the Slapes are done away with, forever.
UGH. I MF LOVE MICHAEL McDOWELL. When going into Katie I was nervous that the book wouldn't be up to par with McDowell's other books. I fell in love with his novels through Southern Gothic works, and a story set in the Northern part of the US seemed so unlike his signature style. In these, families are tight-knit and bonds are strong, a characteristic forged out of necessity. Traditional family structure is shied away from in Katie but, themes of community and reliance on one another still shone through, for better (Philo, her gal pals, and the Maitlands) or for worse (the hodgepodge family that is the Slapes).
The realistic depictions of human nature exemplified make Katie feel like a period piece of non-fiction. All characters presented throughout Katie are ultra polarizing, which made the read that much more exciting. McDowell created such strong and nuanced characters: you want to befriend Philo while simultaneously doing a jig on Katie Slape's grave. Katie is titled after its antagonist but, the star of this novel is Philomela. Her story line was what tied every character together and her goodness radiated through them all.
Because of how ambiguous McDowell's conclusions can be, I was expecting that here. It wasn't and I loved that he did divulge the specifics of the character's fates because I was heavily invested in their story lines, the closure made it that much more sweet. This book has it all: gore, a killer child, NYC high life, LOVE (was not expecting this aspect but LIVED FOR IT. V MUCH MEANT TO BE), and the best closing sentence as related to the plot. Read it.
UGH. I MF LOVE MICHAEL McDOWELL. When going into Katie I was nervous that the book wouldn't be up to par with McDowell's other books. I fell in love with his novels through Southern Gothic works, and a story set in the Northern part of the US seemed so unlike his signature style. In these, families are tight-knit and bonds are strong, a characteristic forged out of necessity. Traditional family structure is shied away from in Katie but, themes of community and reliance on one another still shone through, for better (Philo, her gal pals, and the Maitlands) or for worse (the hodgepodge family that is the Slapes).
The realistic depictions of human nature exemplified make Katie feel like a period piece of non-fiction. All characters presented throughout Katie are ultra polarizing, which made the read that much more exciting. McDowell created such strong and nuanced characters: you want to befriend Philo while simultaneously doing a jig on Katie Slape's grave. Katie is titled after its antagonist but, the star of this novel is Philomela. Her story line was what tied every character together and her goodness radiated through them all.
Because of how ambiguous McDowell's conclusions can be, I was expecting that here. It wasn't and I loved that he did divulge the specifics of the character's fates because I was heavily invested in their story lines, the closure made it that much more sweet. This book has it all: gore, a killer child, NYC high life, LOVE (was not expecting this aspect but LIVED FOR IT. V MUCH MEANT TO BE), and the best closing sentence as related to the plot. Read it.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this book at bedtime for a few nights in a row. Big mistake. It's very grisly and fast-paced and after a couple of chapters I was just too riled up to get to sleep.
This is probably closer to 4.5 stars, but it's Michael McDowell, and he created characters like no other author, so I'm rounding it up instead of down. If not for the coincidences that peppered the story, I would give it the full five stars without explanation, but those coincidences are worth it to read this odd, violent, compelling little story.
A violent, wicked, hilarious penny dreadful that’s a blast to read. McDowell’s name has got to become better known.
I have very particular (and somewhat shop-worn) tastes in real pleasure reading, y'all, and this book ticked all the boxes. Spunky prostitutes? YEP. The vaudeville stage? YEP. A simple plot? YEP. Low down people in a historical city? YEP. Relentless evil pursuing an excellent young lady? YEP.
If you are anything like me, you will love this excellent, tasteful, and well-written penny dreadful. If not, probably not.
#blessings to Valancourt Books for putting this where I could find it
If you are anything like me, you will love this excellent, tasteful, and well-written penny dreadful. If not, probably not.
#blessings to Valancourt Books for putting this where I could find it
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Wild, unpredictable melodrama. Some of the best horror set pieces I’ve encountered in the written genre, and perfectly constructed protagonist/antagonist. I savored every page of it, McDowell was an absolute force.
A violent, wicked, hilarious penny dreadful that’s a blast to read. McDowell’s name has got to become better known.