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alexiconic 's review for:
The Listeners
by Maggie Stiefvater
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As a history lover who has avoided World War Two novels wherever possible, this was a great first acquaintance. Maggie Stiefvater has stumbled upon a real-life historical gem, one of those things that actually happened but feels fictional. She has shared this with us in the setting of the book, and she brings it to life.
The Listeners has virtually nothing I disliked. Instead, there are elements I adore - the setting, the combination of legend and reality, the state-specific lore and history woven in there - and elements that had potential - characters with an intriguing background, a hotel filled with moral dilemmas, potential rescue missions - but that felt underdeveloped.Why does Tucker join the FBI after he leaves? Could we have seen slightly more between Tucker and June if the first half wrapped up just a bit faster? Were all the detours on Ed Gilfoyle necessary?
Initially I was confused: will this be a plot-book, an atmosphere-book, or a character-book? It seems to want to be too much (all of the above), which results in mostly one of the elements feeling satisfactorily explored (the atmosphere). 3/5 feels too low, 4/5 feels mildly unjustified given the pacing issues and indecisiveness, but I might return to this rating because I do love parts of this much more than a 3,5 reflects.
The Listeners has virtually nothing I disliked. Instead, there are elements I adore - the setting, the combination of legend and reality, the state-specific lore and history woven in there - and elements that had potential - characters with an intriguing background, a hotel filled with moral dilemmas, potential rescue missions - but that felt underdeveloped.
Initially I was confused: will this be a plot-book, an atmosphere-book, or a character-book? It seems to want to be too much (all of the above), which results in mostly one of the elements feeling satisfactorily explored (the atmosphere). 3/5 feels too low, 4/5 feels mildly unjustified given the pacing issues and indecisiveness, but I might return to this rating because I do love parts of this much more than a 3,5 reflects.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Child abuse, Confinement, Gun violence, Mental illness, Racism, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, Classism