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3.16 AVERAGE
3.16 AVERAGE
Read this a LONG time ago, and just reread it for class. Super easy read, and almost nothing like the movie that was made from it. Yes, the characters and overall plot is there, but no one dies in this book. Just attacks and scary notes, but no actual murrdderrrrrrrr. The clues along the way to who the stalker was reminded me about Scooby Doo and all the tiny clues they would find to lead them to the bad guy. (this could also be that Freddie Prince Jr was in this movie, and also in the live-action Scooby Doo, but whatever...) Story telling was well done, but a little broken up at times, which wasn't bad just slightly odd for reading. Sentences were pretty simple but involved enough to make it feel like you weren't reading a "kids" book. Can also tell this was written back in the 70's...hello mentions of 'Nam and people using "grass", but overall it still can hold up to modern teens. Easy read with a simple plot, along with enough suspense to make things interesting till the end.
I read this book as in high school and loved it, so I decided to read it again and see if it held up. It doesn’t. The story itself is good, as is the ending, but it’s filled with sexism, misogyny, and fatphobia. It’s very much a book of the 70s. Not something I’ll need to read again.
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have to say to those of you who saw this movie, the book is NOTHING like the movie! It is actually a great story, with much more depth and character development than the movie. The book is typical Lois Duncan: brave characters and lots of intrigue!
Re-read; 1/22/19
Re-read; 1/22/19
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’m fairly certain that I read this as a teen in the 90’s, but I read a lot back then, so I never made the connection between the movie being a book first. I loved the movie, but the book is definitely not like it at all. They borrowed a few common themes and scenes, and obviously the characters, for the movie, but otherwise they are not alike.
I wish they had used more from the book in the movie, honestly. It had a better plot, better characters, and the mystery was better. I can appreciate the slasher-ness of the movie for what it was, but if I had read and remembered the book at the time, I probably would have been disappointed by the movie. The reprint of the version I read had an interview in the back from Lois Duncan about the different between the movie and her book, and how horrified she was by their portrayal of her story, and I can definitely understand and sympathize with her on that, knowing now how the story was supposed to go.
I wish they had used more from the book in the movie, honestly. It had a better plot, better characters, and the mystery was better. I can appreciate the slasher-ness of the movie for what it was, but if I had read and remembered the book at the time, I probably would have been disappointed by the movie. The reprint of the version I read had an interview in the back from Lois Duncan about the different between the movie and her book, and how horrified she was by their portrayal of her story, and I can definitely understand and sympathize with her on that, knowing now how the story was supposed to go.
1.5 stars - I finished it and that is saying something. This book was quite flat and basic - it didn't feel scary, thrilling or anything (maybe the narrator didn't help but overall it didn't have much). The plot wasn't super dynamic and I just didn't enjoy it. Plus, the language about women over and over "dumpy, sallow, nothing like her sister", "irritating females" all written by a female author was too much. I know this was written in 1973, but still not acceptable. Plus, this was updated some time in the 2000s so they added some cellphone bits, but it actually made it worse and the plotholes bigger. Just not good - I never say this, but the movie was way better.
