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A review by b_reads
My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book is soooo outside my comfort zone! Hence my review will definitely be influenced by that.
The story starts with a gripping first chapter, showing a glimpse of things to come. However, it then slows down to a crawl. Like nothing much happens till about 70% of the book. It was like the book couldn't decide whether to be character driven or plot driven! Then it just pours!
Jade is 17 year old half Indian, weirdo of the town, obsessed lover of Slasher movies with an encyclopedic knowledge of all things gore. She has an abusive father, no friends, and lives on the fringes of the society. She desperately wants a Slasher cycle to happen in her small lake town, and has her own theories about it. As people start dying, and a final girl candidate emerges at the same time, she's convinced it has started. With her vast knowledge of the slasher genre, she predicts what's going to happen. But as usual, everyone writes it off as ramblings of a weird girl. Can she save herself and others ? Or should she just let it all happen and fulfill her wish to see a slasher cycle being played out IRL?
I found the writing choices complicated. Jade's character development in the slow first part of the book shows us her vulnerability, fears, fierceness, loyalty.
I was unprepared for the change in track when we learn someone's killing people, but it was rivetting. But suddenly it went from human slasher to supernatural horror, and that's what I couldn't digest.
The best parts of the book I think we're the Slasher papers 101 that Jade wrote for her history teacher. Filled with homage to the slasher/horror genre, I am sure it would be a fan's delight. I, not being a horror fan, did miss a lot of Slasher pop culture references though.
If you're a horror fan, go for it. The payoff is immense if you can stick it out beyond 70%.
The story starts with a gripping first chapter, showing a glimpse of things to come. However, it then slows down to a crawl. Like nothing much happens till about 70% of the book. It was like the book couldn't decide whether to be character driven or plot driven! Then it just pours!
Jade is 17 year old half Indian, weirdo of the town, obsessed lover of Slasher movies with an encyclopedic knowledge of all things gore. She has an abusive father, no friends, and lives on the fringes of the society. She desperately wants a Slasher cycle to happen in her small lake town, and has her own theories about it. As people start dying, and a final girl candidate emerges at the same time, she's convinced it has started. With her vast knowledge of the slasher genre, she predicts what's going to happen. But as usual, everyone writes it off as ramblings of a weird girl. Can she save herself and others ? Or should she just let it all happen and fulfill her wish to see a slasher cycle being played out IRL?
I found the writing choices complicated. Jade's character development in the slow first part of the book shows us her vulnerability, fears, fierceness, loyalty.
The best parts of the book I think we're the Slasher papers 101 that Jade wrote for her history teacher. Filled with homage to the slasher/horror genre, I am sure it would be a fan's delight. I, not being a horror fan, did miss a lot of Slasher pop culture references though.
If you're a horror fan, go for it. The payoff is immense if you can stick it out beyond 70%.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Body horror
Moderate: Child abuse and Suicide attempt
Minor: Mental illness