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A review by nikosreadsbooks
The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I would rate The Girl Next Door 2.5 stars out of five. While the book has its strengths, I went in with high expectations based on the hype surrounding it, and unfortunately, those expectations were not fully met.
To begin with, I did enjoy what I read and recognized the book's merits. Ketchum's depiction of horror is incredibly gruesome and raw. The sense of dread he builds throughout the narrative is unparalleled. Just when you think the story has reached its most horrifying peak, Ketchum pushes it further, taking the brutality and emotional weight to new extremes. This ability to intensify the horror and maintain that tension is one of the novel's strongest qualities.
However, my main issue lies in the narrative perspective. The story is told entirely from one person's point of view, which, in my opinion, limits the depth and scope of the narrative. While David's perspective serves as a window into the events, it also feels restrictive. I found myself wanting to understand more about the other characters. For example, exploring Ruth’s psyche or Eddie's abuse would have deepened the sense of unease and perhaps given the story even more emotional impact.
The horror, while powerful, might have been more dynamic and nuanced with multiple points of view. A broader narrative approach would have allowed readers to experience the story from different emotional and psychological angles, enhancing the book’s ability to disturb and provoke thought.
Ultimately, I think The Girl Next Door is an effective horror novel in many ways, but it feels incomplete maybe it needed more time to cook. If it had incorporated additional perspectives, I believe the story could have been more impactful and deserving of a higher rating perhaps 3 stars. As it stands, the novel left me with a sense of missed potential.
To begin with, I did enjoy what I read and recognized the book's merits. Ketchum's depiction of horror is incredibly gruesome and raw. The sense of dread he builds throughout the narrative is unparalleled. Just when you think the story has reached its most horrifying peak, Ketchum pushes it further, taking the brutality and emotional weight to new extremes. This ability to intensify the horror and maintain that tension is one of the novel's strongest qualities.
However, my main issue lies in the narrative perspective. The story is told entirely from one person's point of view, which, in my opinion, limits the depth and scope of the narrative. While David's perspective serves as a window into the events, it also feels restrictive. I found myself wanting to understand more about the other characters. For example, exploring Ruth’s psyche or Eddie's abuse would have deepened the sense of unease and perhaps given the story even more emotional impact.
The horror, while powerful, might have been more dynamic and nuanced with multiple points of view. A broader narrative approach would have allowed readers to experience the story from different emotional and psychological angles, enhancing the book’s ability to disturb and provoke thought.
Ultimately, I think The Girl Next Door is an effective horror novel in many ways, but it feels incomplete maybe it needed more time to cook. If it had incorporated additional perspectives, I believe the story could have been more impactful and deserving of a higher rating perhaps 3 stars. As it stands, the novel left me with a sense of missed potential.