Scan barcode
A review by justinkhchen
Goblin: A Novel in Six Novellas by Josh Malerman
3.0
3 stars
Atmospheric buildup leading to underwhelming resolution. I do love what Josh Malerman is attempting here: a collection of distinct stories set in the same fictional location with interconnecting details. Judging solely from this aspect, Goblin is flawlessly executed; painting a vivid picture of this always-rainy town named Goblin, and casting a deep web of its troubled history. I don't particularly mind there are lingering mysteries remaining unresolved—leaving plenty of room for a second installment. (Goblin was first published back in 2017, this is a 2021 re-release.)
So it's quite disappointing to say all the stories here are plagued by one common shortcoming: subpar ending. Either they are extremely predictable (A Mix-Up at the Zoo, A Man in Slices), or completely out of left field, dissipating narrative momentum and adding even more unresolved questions (Presto, The Hedges). Even the more cohesive ones (Kamp, Happy Birthday, Hunter!) kind of peter out, leaving readers with a sense of 'that's it?' rather than a sharp, clean finish.
Usually within a short stories collection there are identifiable highs and lows, but Goblin is a case of unrewarding uniformity; even though the tales all contain immersive environment, unique creepy element, and lore bleeding with potential, they are all bogged down by their misaligned closures. I do, however, still wish there will be a round two with the town of Goblin in the future—fingers crossed for better endings!
***This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!***
Atmospheric buildup leading to underwhelming resolution. I do love what Josh Malerman is attempting here: a collection of distinct stories set in the same fictional location with interconnecting details. Judging solely from this aspect, Goblin is flawlessly executed; painting a vivid picture of this always-rainy town named Goblin, and casting a deep web of its troubled history. I don't particularly mind there are lingering mysteries remaining unresolved—leaving plenty of room for a second installment. (Goblin was first published back in 2017, this is a 2021 re-release.)
So it's quite disappointing to say all the stories here are plagued by one common shortcoming: subpar ending. Either they are extremely predictable (A Mix-Up at the Zoo, A Man in Slices), or completely out of left field, dissipating narrative momentum and adding even more unresolved questions (Presto, The Hedges). Even the more cohesive ones (Kamp, Happy Birthday, Hunter!) kind of peter out, leaving readers with a sense of 'that's it?' rather than a sharp, clean finish.
Usually within a short stories collection there are identifiable highs and lows, but Goblin is a case of unrewarding uniformity; even though the tales all contain immersive environment, unique creepy element, and lore bleeding with potential, they are all bogged down by their misaligned closures. I do, however, still wish there will be a round two with the town of Goblin in the future—fingers crossed for better endings!
***This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!***