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lyssazoo 's review for:
The Girl Next Door
by Jack Ketchum
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was a hard one to rate... Was the writing fantastic? Yes. Did it make me feel like I, myself, was living a childhood in the 50s? Also yes. Was this necessarily a good thing given the context of the book? Ehhhh...
This book, based off the real torture and murder of Sylvia Likens (a crime committed literally 10 minutes from where I grew up) was hard to stomach. It was real, raw, and visceral. Ketchum does NOT shy away when it comes to the gory details. I felt uncomfortable, like I shouldn't be reading this, but simultaneously, could not pull myself away. I was so angry at so many people in this story, even children who were only corrupted by this evil, disgusting woman.
So. This book did make me feel many, many things. Disgust, ire, sorrow, pity, and even, towards the beginning, some childhood warmth. However, I will never be reading this book again.
This book, based off the real torture and murder of Sylvia Likens (a crime committed literally 10 minutes from where I grew up) was hard to stomach. It was real, raw, and visceral. Ketchum does NOT shy away when it comes to the gory details. I felt uncomfortable, like I shouldn't be reading this, but simultaneously, could not pull myself away. I was so angry at so many people in this story, even children who were only corrupted by this evil, disgusting woman.
So. This book did make me feel many, many things. Disgust, ire, sorrow, pity, and even, towards the beginning, some childhood warmth. However, I will never be reading this book again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Torture, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Pedophilia, Car accident, Death of parent