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A review by atomic_tourist
Devil House by John Darnielle
Trippy, funny, spooky, meditative, and daring-- it takes a bold author to write a novel like DEVIL HOUSE. Darnielle rose up to the occasion. I loved his beautiful, poetic prose + his capability to write a captivating (if meandering) plotline. In this novel, he asks of his readers: What does it mean to "tell" a story? How are writers + readers + consumers liable for these stories? What is the truth, and what merit does it have over other commodities such as 'doing the right thing' or writing an entertaining tale?
I haven't read any other book like this... But it did remind me of how I felt the first time I read Borges-- that the story was subverting what it means to even *be* a story.
That said, I wish the ~reveal~ at the end had had more flair. Like, don't make us read 400 pages + develop complex theories & emotions, only to have the "truth" come to light through a phone conversation.
Even though the execution of the ending didn't live up to my expectations, DEVIL HOUSE was a thrill to read, and I already know that I'll want to re-read it someday soon.
I haven't read any other book like this... But it did remind me of how I felt the first time I read Borges-- that the story was subverting what it means to even *be* a story.
That said, I wish the ~reveal~ at the end had had more flair. Like, don't make us read 400 pages + develop complex theories & emotions, only to have the "truth" come to light through a phone conversation.
Even though the execution of the ending didn't live up to my expectations, DEVIL HOUSE was a thrill to read, and I already know that I'll want to re-read it someday soon.