A review by hbrxnnxmxn
Universal Harvester by John Darnielle

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Universal Harvester stands out as such an odd novel less because of its content (although parts of the content are also bizarre) and more in its form. Told in multiple POVs through the course of several decades, the central focus is a disturbing series of videos that are added into movies being distributed by a VHS store and the surrounding events as a part of it. This is not the kind of book you can skim through in any regard, there were times I found myself reading paragraphs multiple times to try to understand what was being told due to the sort of winding, folky writing. Regardless, I did still enjoy reading this book. There’s something distinctly small town America about it, more Ethel Cain in nature then say, Friday Night Lights, striking an interesting balance between resenting the place you are in and knowing it’s an essential part of you, mixed with themes of loneliness, grief, and the passing of time. Worthwhile read for something thought provoking and at times out of reach.