You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by heartbreakmosh
Don't Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I did really like this book, though I wanted to like it more than I actually did. The prose was fantastic, and I ended up feeling satisfied when I finished the title thanks mainly to the strength of that prose. This is a very good book to let wash over you and enjoy for the imagery and force of the writing. My friend who recommended this to me did just that and let the book take her for the journey that it is, which would be my own recommendation for this story as well. Personally, however, I tend to be a close-reader and a theory-crafter by nature. And to that end, this booked ended up feeling a bit tedious, even though I found the ending perfectly satisfactory. Below will be a lot of spoilers.
I think ultimately, the writer was more interested in creating moments and plot twists to shock and surprise the reader, rather than sitting in the story and creating a poignant tale about grief, which is ultimately what the book wants to be at the end. This could have been an excellent indie horror video game, but got lost in itself and what it wanted to be time and time again. I wouldn't necessarily say this is a bad thing, as the book felt as though the writer was enjoy themselves. However, I would say it was more indulgent than exploratory at times. I walked away from The Shining feeling as though the book had hit something deeply personal in King's life (which I learned later that it was). I walked away from this book feeling as though Drews really enjoyed video games like Silent Hill 2 or Omori.
I was hurt in some ways while reading this because I had called the big twist after chapter 10. So instead of simply enjoying the ride, I became more obsessed with being correct. And then after the death of the teacher, I became exhausted by all the characters refusing to say the quiet part out loud. It felt as though the book was pointing fingers at Andrew and shouting CRAZY rather than providing anything substantial. The book refused to sit in Andrew's grief until it absolutely had to, and I started to find that needlessly tedious. Simply repeating "if Dove were here..." was not enough for me to feel what Andrew was feeling.
That being said, I found the final explanation and ending quite satisfying. The reveal that the monsters were coming from Andrew was not particularly surprising, but never fully in the forefront other than through his own musings on the cause. He came so close time and time again to facing the facts and then refusing them. The selfishness of continuing to write even though Thomas gave up his art really hit me, and Thomas pointing out how he could have written a better ending if he really wanted to was a really lovely conclusion. I almost wish it ended there, rather than them waking up as ghosts in the forest. I thought that was a bit romantic and soft for my own tastes, but that's truly a matter of tastes.
I have no real interest in discussing if the "rep" was good or not, but I thought the queerness of the book was felt, if a bit reliant on wikipedia-esque explanations at times. There were very painful, emotionally real moments from Andrew when discussing his sexuality that felt extremely true to a high schooler as wrecked as he is. I really loved those parts and felt them as an asexual reader who had felt similar things in my lifetime. This was the most emotionally poignant part of the book for me, and I really hope it sits well with younger readers who might be going through similar questions as to whether they are "broken" for not feeling certain things in certain ways. You're not. No need to let the forest in.
In all, this was a fun read, but I think it became lost in its own inspirations and ability to surprise, rather than trying to tell a cohesive and meaningful story. That being said, the prose was solid and is a great read or listen for anyone looking for a nice distraction. The characters apart from Andrew are mostly caricatures, but I actually found that fine given the nature of the novel itself. Andrew was very fleshed out and understandable in his actions and motivations and thoughts. The storytelling was enjoyable save for a tedious drag in the second half, even when the author execution was often lacking.
I think ultimately, the writer was more interested in creating moments and plot twists to shock and surprise the reader, rather than sitting in the story and creating a poignant tale about grief, which is ultimately what the book wants to be at the end. This could have been an excellent indie horror video game, but got lost in itself and what it wanted to be time and time again. I wouldn't necessarily say this is a bad thing, as the book felt as though the writer was enjoy themselves. However, I would say it was more indulgent than exploratory at times. I walked away from The Shining feeling as though the book had hit something deeply personal in King's life (which I learned later that it was). I walked away from this book feeling as though Drews really enjoyed video games like Silent Hill 2 or Omori.
I was hurt in some ways while reading this because I had called the big twist after chapter 10. So instead of simply enjoying the ride, I became more obsessed with being correct. And then after the death of the teacher, I became exhausted by all the characters refusing to say the quiet part out loud. It felt as though the book was pointing fingers at Andrew and shouting CRAZY rather than providing anything substantial. The book refused to sit in Andrew's grief until it absolutely had to, and I started to find that needlessly tedious. Simply repeating "if Dove were here..." was not enough for me to feel what Andrew was feeling.
That being said, I found the final explanation and ending quite satisfying. The reveal that the monsters were coming from Andrew was not particularly surprising, but never fully in the forefront other than through his own musings on the cause. He came so close time and time again to facing the facts and then refusing them. The selfishness of continuing to write even though Thomas gave up his art really hit me, and Thomas pointing out how he could have written a better ending if he really wanted to was a really lovely conclusion. I almost wish it ended there, rather than them waking up as ghosts in the forest. I thought that was a bit romantic and soft for my own tastes, but that's truly a matter of tastes.
I have no real interest in discussing if the "rep" was good or not, but I thought the queerness of the book was felt, if a bit reliant on wikipedia-esque explanations at times. There were very painful, emotionally real moments from Andrew when discussing his sexuality that felt extremely true to a high schooler as wrecked as he is. I really loved those parts and felt them as an asexual reader who had felt similar things in my lifetime. This was the most emotionally poignant part of the book for me, and I really hope it sits well with younger readers who might be going through similar questions as to whether they are "broken" for not feeling certain things in certain ways. You're not. No need to let the forest in.
In all, this was a fun read, but I think it became lost in its own inspirations and ability to surprise, rather than trying to tell a cohesive and meaningful story. That being said, the prose was solid and is a great read or listen for anyone looking for a nice distraction. The characters apart from Andrew are mostly caricatures, but I actually found that fine given the nature of the novel itself. Andrew was very fleshed out and understandable in his actions and motivations and thoughts. The storytelling was enjoyable save for a tedious drag in the second half, even when the author execution was often lacking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Eating disorder, Gore, Self harm
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Homophobia, Suicide
Minor: Toxic relationship