Volume 2 impressed me a bit more than Volume 1 did. The relationship between the two main characters entered into 'real' territory, and heavier issuesVolume 2 impressed me a bit more than Volume 1 did. The relationship between the two main characters entered into 'real' territory, and heavier issues were delved into (both in the narrative and with the characters themselves). The fratboy humor continued to irk me, although was used with less abundance in this volume as a result of the serious issues being discussed. Nudity was also a lot more prevalent in this volume, although I don't really have any critique against it because of the contexts it was used in.
I like where the narrative is going from here, and am interested in what the characters will do against the 'sex police.' Eventually, when Volume 3 is released, I will certainly pick it up, although I'm not waiting with super baited breath. ...more
So this young woman, Suzie, discovers that she can stop time when she orgasms. Fast-forward through a confusing pubescent period (more so than usual, So this young woman, Suzie, discovers that she can stop time when she orgasms. Fast-forward through a confusing pubescent period (more so than usual, because, uh, she can stop time!), to when she meets Jon, a guy who has similar talents. They decide to utilize these 'powers' to rob a bank, and there you have the main structure of the narrative. Don't worry, this is all on the back cover of the book, so I haven't spoiled anything.
This graphic novel has a lot going for it, and I'm certainly intrigued to find out what happens next (got the next one raring to go). First of all, I love that the main premise is about sex. Still very much a taboo subject, sex is not often featured such prominently in a piece of literature, so I give the creators kudos just for that aspect. And to add to that, they didn't capitalize on nudity in the book, either, which I found refreshing. They could have easily shown and fetishized body parts, but chose not to.
I thoroughly enjoyed the references to Queen and Lolita - both favorites of mine. The authors managed to make this book very meta, as well, something I often appreciate when it appears in art. It's clever, and oftentimes reveals something about the creation process, which is kind of cool, right?
So, if I loved all of these aspects, why only a 3 star rating? Well, I felt like I needed more from it, somehow. I think this has something to do with a) the fratboy humor that comes up every so often and b) having two men create and tell a sexual/coming-of-age story from a woman's point of view. Some of the humor was laugh-out-loud funny, other times I grazed past it cause I felt it was too obvious (for instance, women calling other women sluts and whores humorously doesn't really do it for me). I would have liked to see a woman working on something like this, so Suzie could be infused with more depth.
I'm hoping the next volume expands its horizons a bit - I want to love this franchise, but I only like it so far. ...more
I could have also given this novel four out of five stars. But here's why I ultimately decided on a three star rating instead:
I largely shy away from I could have also given this novel four out of five stars. But here's why I ultimately decided on a three star rating instead:
I largely shy away from the writing style of this period. Why? It's so emphatic! (exclamation point... well, purposeful). It is possible that this was due to the translation I read, although I don't believe this should change drastically between editions. Excitable writing overshadows topic matter for me, especially when the subject is as dark as this novel's.
Writing style aside, though, the protagonist's (and, I would argue, the simultaneous antagonist's) trials and tribulations have stuck with me. Hamsun describes hunger as an affliction of the physical, psychological, and existential, all inevitably intertwined. The unnamed narrator embodies these hungers, and because one exists, the others must as well. This is illustrated clearly in the way that he essentially chooses his fate throughout the book, and when he has had enough of contemplating and enduring said hunger, it can end. He also verbalizes this well through a few illuminating monologues in the novel.
The most notable thing about this book (and a redeemable aspect of the writing, in my opinion) is the unreliability of the narrator. This is done very artfully in that he acknowledges his insanity throughout the book, however he continues to rationalize certain actions that are clearly driven by his madness. This combined acknowledgment and ignorance makes for an incredibly amusing and enlightening reading experience. ...more
I read this (as quickly as I could, may I add) as part of my graduate research. It was a hard read, and I feel like I need to write a 'review' simply I read this (as quickly as I could, may I add) as part of my graduate research. It was a hard read, and I feel like I need to write a 'review' simply to sort out my feelings about Bonnycastle's project/findings. Yes, it was hard to get through (because of the content, clearly), but it's nevertheless an important study that challenges previous notions we've (i.e. theorists, researchers, society in general, etc.) had about stranger rape. It also gives rapists a voice, which I was very conflicted about (and still am), but if we want to understand the problem and, more importantly, work to fix it, we need to comprehend the perpetrator, don't we? That's what Bonnycastle set out to do, and I say with great sincerity that her efforts were not wasted.
Throughout the chapters recounting the participant's (rapists) stories, I actually found myself taking pity on them, which was very problematic for me. A lot of the men involved had very troubling childhoods, which did not act as an excusal, but rather as context for the larger problem of what hegemonic masculinity and sexuality meant to these men. I found reading these men's stories simultaneously disturbing, enlightening, and needed. It was quite fascinating that they spoke so openly about their past issues, feelings, and motivations while quite obviously taking shame in the resultant crimes.
Bonnycastle illuminates that stranger rape, so often in the past regarded only as power-hungry choice, is much more complicated than that - which is both terrifying and necessary information. She makes grounded claims that the problem lies with socio-cultural circumstances and society's devaluation and objectification of women, as well as stating that education and assistance needs to be provided to men in such circumstances to hurl these issues into progressive territory.
No matter how uncomfortable the read, this was an important one. I would love to see more studies like this in the future, so the literature and research on these issues is expanded to include both sides of the story. Again, not that knowing the 'other side' makes the crime excusable in any sense, but I believe it is necessary to understand what motivates and perpetuates said crimes. It was also very informative re: the penal governance system in Canada. ...more
Tiny stories indeed! I found this little book tossed among many others at a ginormous book sale I went to this past week, and simply picked it up becaTiny stories indeed! I found this little book tossed among many others at a ginormous book sale I went to this past week, and simply picked it up because of hitRECord's name of the front (Joseph Gordon Levitt's collaborative production company). And my, what a surprise this little thing was! I devoured it in less than an hour, and will most likely do the same multiple times in the future. The quote on the first page, "The universe is not made of atoms; it's made of (tiny) stories", really resonates with me, as did the rest of the stories. Each story, not more than a few lines long, is accompanied by an illustration that enhances the words. It's like a picture book for adults, dealing with very big, relatable themes in such compacted prose (and occasionally poetry). The fact that this project had 82 collaborators makes it even more special. I must now find the first two volumes to add to my collection.
My favorite: "She rummaged through her future / to find what she was looking for."
I would recommend: to everyone! It's fun and it's light, but it also makes you think long after it's been shelved....more
*I received this book courtesy of Goodreads First Reads*
I enjoyed this book - I just don't think it was my kind of book to love. Many of the reviews a*I received this book courtesy of Goodreads First Reads*
I enjoyed this book - I just don't think it was my kind of book to love. Many of the reviews already on Goodreads are entirely correct when they say this novel is poignant in its realistic portrayal of a family with many quirks, issues, and secrets. It is always refreshing to read something that is not entirely riddled with stereotypical (either surface or entirely unrealistic) familial problems, which this book accomplishes.
However, I did not dive into these character's lives as some readers say they did. I found myself meandering through the pages, frustrated at times with the minute details of daily life that I could surely observe in reality. Not having read Tyler's work before, I get the sense from other reviewers that this is her trademark writing style, which is clearly loved by many. It simply didn't intrigue me or make me want to tear through the pages every night.
I appreciated the formatting of the novel, as it jumps back and forth through time, point of view, and generation. As a result you get a nonlinear, but very well-developed, fully-formed sense of how certain values and ideas form within this family, for better or for worse. Tyler doesn't sugarcoat things, either, which added to the realism of the narratives.
Having said that, when larger revelations or events emerged, and were done so in a quick, rip-off-the-bandaid sort of way, it irked me. I felt abandoned by these occurrences - but maybe that's the point. This novel introduces a family that in many ways will be recognizable to any reader - there is love, loss, betrayal, and dysfunction, which no family ultimately shelters itself from, but must endure regardless. ...more
*I received this book courtesy of Goodreads First Reads*
This review consists of two parts: part one will be spoiler free, as I'd like to convey a few *I received this book courtesy of Goodreads First Reads*
This review consists of two parts: part one will be spoiler free, as I'd like to convey a few things to potential readers that I think are important, and part two will have some spoilers, as I feel I need this outlet to allow my many thoughts on this book flow.
Part one - spoiler free:
The narrative consists of three sisters, who are largely dependent on themselves as a result of a deceased mother and an abusive father. One night, something terrible happens and they flee, only to find themselves in another horrifying situation. The novel focuses on these events, while also focusing on how the sisters cope in the aftermath of everything they've been through.
Rating this book is a struggle for me, because it was actually a very decent book. The writing was good, the main protagonists were well developed, and the story's progression was, while horrifying, well done. The drawback was the content and the content alone. This is a challenging read, and I don't recommend it to anyone who is easily triggered by sexual abuse - there is a lot of it in this book, and I think everyone deserves a fair warning on that point. I didn't have any idea that such things were included in this novel, and they therefore took me by surprise. Even though the book was an easy read, I had to step away from it for a few days to let my mind settle at one point. The difficult subject matter is primarily why rating this novel is so hard for me, but I'm ultimately rating it on merit alone and not my complicated feelings towards the content.
As I am largely unable to shut off my academic brain (especially in regard to sexual assault/gender issues, as I've written numerous essays on these topics), I was constantly scrutinizing how Stevens depicts sexual abuse, and the psychological after-effects. And, while I have some qualms, she did so in a respectable, educated, and informed way. This was one of the highlights for me, as many fictional portrayals of sexual abuse do not do justice to the personal experience of it. In short, I was impressed, and it was clear that Stevens consulted professionals on the matter. It doesn't specifically say so in her acknowledgments, but I'm willing to bet on it.
I also want to comment that this book traffics in the lane of extreme. Extreme situations and extreme violence on young women who are largely helpless in the moment. This is something I had a hard time reconciling, as fiction often utilizes female weakness as a narrative vehicle. But as the story progressed, it became clear to me that Stevens is not using these situations as entertainment vehicles; rather, it felt as though she wanted to convey the hardships of dealing with familial and sexual abuse. And while the situations in the novel are extreme, reality has proven that they do unfortunately occur, and are therefore valid in exploring. What matters is how they are explored, which, as I said earlier, was done well in this particular book. I recommend this novel to anyone who wants to be challenged with subject matter, and to anyone that would like some insight on the after-effects of these particular instances of abuse. Again I'd like to stress that I don't recommend it to anyone easily triggered by sexual assault and/or abuse.
Part two - spoilers ahead:
I have read a few reviews that complain about the one dimensional male characters in the novel, which is something I want to refute. Gaven is especially one dimensional, yes, but I believe this is done for a purpose. There are evil people out there like this, and I don't think many of us are comfortable with that knowledge. Stevens chose to depict the villains in this way, I believe, not only for sake of page space, but also to have the reader's sympathy align even more so with the girls as they are berated and abused. If Gaven, or Brian (although I do think Stevens gave Brian some complexity, as he is married with kids, and occasionally demonstrates a friendly demeanor), had been too nuanced, that would have taken away from the girls' narratives and experiences. The young women who are captured, tortured, and raped by these men do not see nuances, so the reader doesn't either. I would see this critique as more valid if the events were conveyed by an omniscient narrator, but they're told in first person by particular girls, therefore it wouldn't make sense to take the focus away from how they feel about, or how they see, these men. It is also important to note that there are good men in the novel as well, and that all men are not painted with the same brush (specifically thinking of Allen, Owen, and Patrick).
As I said earlier, I was impressed with how Stevens depicted the psychological trauma that results from rape. I was also impressed that this trauma did not register in the same way for each sister, which is a heavy-handed reality. No one experiences these things in the same way, and this was conveyed well in the book, albeit in a bit of a severe way. One thing that did irk me was that not one of the sisters reached out for counseling after their captivity. I realize that they were all terrified of their true identities being discovered, but I would have liked to see it be at least discussed. That being said, I was very pleased that Skylar and her mom began therapy at the end.
Speaking of the ending, even though it was sad and one sister was lost, I was satisfied. It was a real ending, not one of those happy-go-lucky endings where everything is once again right in the world. There's an indication that healing is beginning to occur, but will never fully happen, as is the case most of the time in reality for such abuse. I think Stevens did a great job in portraying the long-lasting effects of such occurrences, and that is primarily why I'm giving this book a 4/5 star review. ...more
This book was an unbelievably fast read, which for me means that I was sucked right in and wasn't let go until the end. The writing was simplistic butThis book was an unbelievably fast read, which for me means that I was sucked right in and wasn't let go until the end. The writing was simplistic but not lazy, easily digestible but not monotonous (I'm primarily pointing this out because I read a few reviews that compared this novel to 50 Shades... which to me is very, very far from the truth). It's also been explicitly compared to Gone Girl, which I definitely agree with in terms of unreliable narrators and the theme of not truly knowing the people close to you. For me, though, the novel felt more like a modern homage to Hitchcock's Rear Window, if nothing else.
A woman has gone through hardship, and is somewhat statically stationed on a train twice a day, forced to watch the world go by out the train window. Then she sees something in connection with a local news story, and she is forced into mobility once again as she convinces herself she can help, that she can be useful again. These are the building blocks of the novel, which hooked me in both the similarity to Rear Window, and also the empathy I felt towards the character in these early moments. That is something Hawkins does so well in this book: she allows the reader to feel for otherwise unlikeable characters. The three women given narrator status in the novel all have their downfalls, and their secrets, which drive the plot forward as nothing is fully revealed until the final 50 pages or so. You want to know what they're hiding, or why they are how they are, while you simultaneously understand where they're coming from without knowing everything.
I have noticed recently that, not only in literature, but also film, the themes of infidelity and not truly knowing the person sleeping beside you have been becoming more and more popular. These stories make great thrillers simply because it's a grounded fear in reality - do we ever really know the people we're close with? We all have secrets, so why do we assume our loved ones share everything with us? I personally think these are great themes to be popping up in contemporary popular culture, as it not only makes us ask these questions about others, but makes us point the interrogation light back on ourselves. Hawkins manages to do this in a very apt manner, while also provoking the thought that things are not always what they seem, no matter how real those things seem to be. ...more
*I received this book courtesy of Goodreads First Reads*
I will preface this two-star review by stating that the historical fiction and fantasy genres *I received this book courtesy of Goodreads First Reads*
I will preface this two-star review by stating that the historical fiction and fantasy genres are not usually my preferred picks, which may have aided in the overwhelming 'meh' feeling I got whilst reading this book.
I had to encourage myself to pick this novel up every night, which doesn't often happen for me. Right from the get-go I found it difficult to care about the primary characters (as well as hating the antagonist), which is in part due to the abrupt way they are introduced to the reader at the beginning. In particular, I wanted a more in-depth perspective on what Heraclix felt while in his birthing tank, as well as immediately thereafter. The first few chapters felt altogether too rushed, as if important character building had to be skipped to make way for the main storyline (which isn't the case, as the book is not very long in length to begin with). This hurt the book's initial (potential) hook, and what I did latch on to slipped steadily from my interest as the book went on.
I found many, many things in this novel clichéd, which certainly made it an uninteresting read for me. None of the events were particularly surprising, and if they were things I had not previously figured out, they were delivered in a non-climactic way. Pomp's fairy attitude was fairly similar to other illustrations I've seen and/or read, as well. I did appreciate her being a fairly strong female character that overcomes initial ignorances, however. Vadoma was another strong female character in the book, although I was off-put by her perspective being randomly slotted in near the end of the novel for what seemed like suspenseful affect. Another cliché I feel I need to mention was the devil creature named Panopticus. How many times has the Panopticon been so similarly played upon? (And may I add, in a very obvious, roll-your-eyes kind of way.)
I enjoyed the horrific parts of the novel a bit more than the fantasy aspects, such as the description of Hell and its many inhabitants, as well as what happens to Pomp and her friends near the end. Even these aspects were a bit hollow for me, though, and did not deliver quite the punch I imagine they were supposed to.
I was also unsettled by the epilogue of the novel (spoiler alert!). It seemed to slam the door on everything fantastical in favor of 'reason'. Sure, this inherently means, as Heraclix explains to Pomp, that Hell and everything else evil in the book will not be evidenced any longer, however it essentially kills off our protagonist and fails to explain what this means for Pomp and her people. I found this very somber and vague, which was incredibly unsatisfying.
Overall, I'd say a lover of blended fantasy/historical fiction would enjoy this book more than I did. The writing was not bad, I just believe the story and the characters could have been fleshed out much more than they were, and could have been steered in a less clichéd direction....more
I was deeply disappointed by this book. Based on the idea alone, I could have easily given it a four-star review. However, the way the idea was executI was deeply disappointed by this book. Based on the idea alone, I could have easily given it a four-star review. However, the way the idea was executed was poorly done, and, in my opinion, extremely ignorant and regressive in some cases. I clearly have some strong opinions about this novel, so I'll begin with the few things I enjoyed about it (some spoilers):
The notion of the occupants in the high rise regressing into a primitive state of being is the book's selling point. The collapse of all humanity and civility within the apartment building acts as a spot-on assessment of humanity's deeply imbedded and subconscious psychosis (this is Ballard's posit, as he clearly draws from Freudian psychoanalysis for many of the characters and occurrences in the novel). These aspects of the book were promising to me, but ultimately fell flat for reasons I will dive into shortly.
This novel will translate beautifully into film, which is one reason why I picked the book up in the first place. I believe, with the star-studded cast, the film will actually surpass the novel's mediocre execution of Ballard's ideas. That is, only if the film does away with some of the excessive misogynist and sexist attitudes that the novel harbours. Here we go...
As this novel went on, it became clear to me that, being written in the 1970s, and therefore in the peak of second wave feminism (and, let me add, the anti-rape movement), that Ballard was not concerned with any of these societal issues. Without having read any of his other works, I'm also limitedly inclined to believe he didn't like women very much. Or, at least, didn't conceive of gendered issues having much legitimacy in his work. This novel is riddled with sexism and misogyny, which is entirely dangerous when the novel is regarded as a 'thrill ride,' and 'highly entertaining.' Here are just a few of the problems I noted in relation to these issues while reading the book:
- The focus on male narrators excluded any women from having any overt agency, and this was supported by Ballard's referral to the men in terms of last name (Laing, Wilder, Royal), and the women in terms of first name or in reference to their husbands.
- The men in the narrative are consistently described as receiving euphoria from the breakdown of the building, as well as all of the included violence. None of the women are characterized in this way, and are rather described as sickly, weak, and non-responsive. This gender division wasn't appealing to me.
- At one point, when a man has sex with another woman in front of his wife, and his wife seems indifferent, she is described as having "complete deference to the clan leader." So, in this state of primitive psychosis, the men are inherently 'clan leaders,' and the women are illustrated as things to collect and use at whim, while they exude complete passivity to the process. This is clearly problematic in terms of gender portrayal and value.
- Moreover, the referral, at one point, of rape as a "valuable and well-tried means of bringing clan members together" is maddening. In this primitive state of being that Ballard is attempting to illustrate, rape is an accepted form of bonding between lead men, and the effect on the women is wholly disregarded, as they seem to be apathetic to it. Utilizing rape as such a blasé experience is not okay to me in any circumstance, especially one that is attempting to represent these occurrences as primal, thus inherently human.
- At one point in the novel, Ballard switches between acknowledging a 'clumsy sexual act' as a 'brief rape' in the same sentence. I believe Ballard was attempting to depict the psychosis of Wilder in this scene, as he cannot tell the difference between sex and rape any longer (and apparently neither can the women - which, even with belief suspended, is not something that should be suggested). Instead, however, the use of the omniscient narrator negates this confusion as a belief of the man himself, rather illustrating this equation of rape and sex to be true of the subconscious human psyche (both in women and men). Reading this really disgusted me, as rape should never be equated with sex, and to paint rape as A-OK, even in the novel's dystopian setting, is alarming.
- To further my last point, near the end of the novel the phrase 'sexual assault itself has ceased to have any meaning' is used. Again, when positing a commentary on humanity, to include such an ignorant depiction of rape as having no meaning, for men or for women, is despicable. I find it really hard to understand how any reader could find these occurrences within the book entertaining, or even disturbing in a good way. Sexual assault is a very real, very affecting/effecting occurrence to any one who experiences it, and the trauma that results from it is serious. This novel negates all real-world implications of these things, however, and simply uses them as narrative devices to further the plot, which is lazy and unappealing for me.
I sincerely hope that the film adaptation loses these regressive depictions of rape and gender, as I do believe the core ideas of the book are valid, and have the potential to be incredibly thought-provoking. It just needs to lose the dated sexism and ignorant use of rape for narrative sake....more
Stardust is an incredibly easy read, and Gaiman's wonderful writing style certainly helps the reading process along. My favorite thing about this noveStardust is an incredibly easy read, and Gaiman's wonderful writing style certainly helps the reading process along. My favorite thing about this novel was the writing - he has a very distinct style, and this being my first Gaiman novel I was happy to discover this as true. The element that most stuck out in this way for me was the chapter titles. If you read the book, you'll know what I mean.
The downfall, for me, was that the story's conclusion felt a little rushed. Many events (sure, that weren't necessarily integral to the main plot) were elided, most of the time being featured in a list of things that occurred to the main characters between important plot points. A lot of these things sounded most interesting, and I found myself wishing that I could have experienced those happenings rather than reading about them in passing. This is my main criticism of the book, which may only be a personal preference regardless.
Like many other reviewers of this particular book, I watched the movie adaptation before I read the novel. And I must say, it was so much better than the movie. The movie came off, to me, as cheesy and over-the-top-romantic. The book does not do this. Gaiman includes sharp and dry humor, violent occurrences, and explicit sex all while delivering a tale of fantasy, adventure, and, ultimately, 'love,' although not in the lovey-dovey way most romance novels usually traffic in. I was pleasantly surprised by his unique treatment of the love story, and other than the writing, that might ultimately be the best thing about this novel.
I recommend this book to anyone, really. It has generic elements for everyone, and it's a fast read, so even if it's not what you're looking for, you'll finish it in no time anyways. ...more
*I received this book courtesy of Goodreads First Reads*
**Some Spoilers**
Reading this novel was my first introduction to Sarah Rayner, which turned ou*I received this book courtesy of Goodreads First Reads*
**Some Spoilers**
Reading this novel was my first introduction to Sarah Rayner, which turned out to be an enjoyable one. Also, while I am aware that Karen was featured in a previous book, I did not find that I was missing large chunks of her backstory, nor that this took away from my experience.
Karen, Abby, and Michael all endure mental illness as a result of trauma. I found, having some experience with mental illness myself, that Rayner dealt with the subject in a realistic manner, while also keeping it light and hopeful. In other words, this book is fairly accessible in subject matter and does not dwell in the deep, dark corners of mental illness with too much detail. The characters are well thought out, and as a reader I cared for them and wished them luck on their journeys toward mental happiness.
With that said, I was conflicted about the conclusion of the book, as I felt it attempted to tie the character's endings, and their resultant steps forward, into a tidy, easily digested bow. This is of course a book, which is a form of entertainment, and so I'm not going to sit here and berate it for attempting to end on a rather upbeat note. I'm not quite sure what my desired outcome would conversely be (and this is perhaps why I write essays rather than fiction!), but I was somewhat unsatisfied nonetheless.
I do appreciate the included message that living with mental illness requires support from others, as well as oneself, which includes asking for help once and a while. It is also refreshing to see various people reacting to varied forms of mental illness in different ways - this was one of the best aspects of the book in my opinion, as no two people experience these things in the same way.
I'd definitely recommend this book to others, especially those who want an enjoyable, yet educational, look at dealing with and treating mental illness. ...more
Oh, Shirley Jackson, what would I do without you? In a sea full of male horror authors, I do say you shine the brightest.
Never read Jackson? Do yoursOh, Shirley Jackson, what would I do without you? In a sea full of male horror authors, I do say you shine the brightest.
Never read Jackson? Do yourself a favor and remedy that, especially if you're a horror fan. Her prose is quite unlike any other horror author's I've experienced: it's elegant and refined, eerie and suspenseful. There is no rush to her writing, yet you are drawn into the world she creates with urgency (particularly evident in her short stories). In short, she's pretty fantastic.
Being my first full novel by Jackson, The Haunting of Hill House did not disappoint in these aspects. The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Jackson's style of horror is 'subtle.' The psychological horror that takes place within this novel is just that. It's hardly noticeable at first, and then you begin to wonder whether the narrative events taking place are actually happening or not. She does not explicitly describe dreadful occurrences, instead leaving it up to the reader to comprehend everything from one character's perspective (often riddled with mines from psychosis).
I was pleasantly surprised with how Jackson treated the ghost story - it wasn't entirely predictable, and there were some definite moments that spooked me while reading at night (ghosts and I do not get along). The genius of this book, though, is in the slow decline of a character's touch with reality. Nothing is thoroughly explained, and the reader is left with a sense of dread and wonder. All of Jackson's short stories have stuck with me, and I'm sure this novel will, as well. ...more
"Even monsters need a person who truly wants to listen - to hear - so that someday we might find the words that are more than boxes. Then maybe we can"Even monsters need a person who truly wants to listen - to hear - so that someday we might find the words that are more than boxes. Then maybe we can stop men like me from happening."
My reading experience with this novel mirrored it's title - it really was enchanting. I'm not sure I've had a reading experience quite like it, and if I have it was certainly a long time ago. Usually, when a novel is truly enticing, I speed towards the finale. During these reads, I tend to pick the book up whenever I have a free minute. With this book, though, I didn't want to finish. I simply didn't want it to end. As a result I carefully chose the times I read the wonderfully executed prose, careful that my environment matched the words on the page. I had many a chance to complete it (in fact, I probably could have finished it in a day or two), but I wanted to savor the experience, and I felt like I needed to make sure every sitting with the book was met with enough time to ruminate in the narrative happenings - what would assuredly bring both wonder and sorrow. I realize this may sound ridiculous to some, but as I said, this was a reading unlike any other.
The author achieves an uplifting tone whilst delving into one of the darkest places in civilization, infusing her descriptions and characters with spirituality and insight. She conveys that even the condemned have stories filled with unknown despair. Nameless characters are enlivened with memories, emotional upheaval, and empathy, all while the enchanted place comes alive not only with secrets, but also with golden horses, little men, and flibber-gibbets. Every sliver of information given to the reader is another piece of the well-executed puzzle, one that does not only thrive in fiction, but also in reality.
The narrative became even more impressive to me as I learned that the author is a death penalty investigator (among other things). Of course writers heavily research their material, but this author has live experience, which made the read that much more enveloping. I will certainly want to explore her non-fiction publishings in the future.
Above all, this novel confirms that perspective really is everything. I recommend this book to everyone - no matter your cup of tea, it will offer you something of value. I'm sure I will reread this wonderful book again in the future, as it has made me rethink certain aspects of humanity while illuminating a shadowy place many of us like to pretend does not exist in the here and now....more
There are enough written reviews, as well as word-of-mouth ones, that I feel quite secure in simply contributing to the conversation instead of havingThere are enough written reviews, as well as word-of-mouth ones, that I feel quite secure in simply contributing to the conversation instead of having others rifle through a summation of events just to find my overall opinion. So here it goes (hey ho, let's go!):
I have to admit, I had high expectations going into this novel, as many claim it is one of King's scariest and darkest. While I thought The Shining was 'scarier', Pet Sematary is certainly a dark, black hole of dread. Having read King's introduction at the beginning of my edition, I sort of knew what was coming (while also swimming in a lake of 'that's so cool' when learning of his fear of publishing it) which therefore made most of the book predictable. I was teetering on the edge of giving this book three stars as a result... until I began the last 50 pages or so.
What an ending. I believe the ending of this novel is what many writers strive to accomplish with their work - something that ties it all together while meticulously leaving a few bits astray that will inevitably linger with the audience. This is what I felt when I finished King's Cell, as well. While not entirely satisfying, the reader is left to their own conclusions, and this is, after all, why we read is it not? To allow our imaginations to run wild, which ultimately often gets bullied into submission when an ending is too neat, or not how we'd like. I digress, but King certainly knows how to keep his readers on the hook, even after the last page is turned. My imagination will not soon forget what took place, nor will it stop conjuring up the conclusion's 'what ifs' that created this book's existence in the first place.
"Except that the monster never dies. Werewolf, vampire, ghoul, unnamable creature from the wastes. The monster never dies."
The above line, on the sec"Except that the monster never dies. Werewolf, vampire, ghoul, unnamable creature from the wastes. The monster never dies."
The above line, on the second page of the novel, made for a very promising introduction to Cujo. I was on the edge of my seat, expecting some kind of supernatural evil, like the genius of The Shining or Pet Sematary. Alas, that is not what was delivered.
Cujo was an alright book, I did like it. However, it's much more grounded in reality than many of King's books, and that's what I didn't find enjoyable. The supernatural element that was promised, or teased, in the beginning chapter wasn't well flushed out, and felt stretched when it was attempted. Instead, this is a book about a rabid dog's unleashed murderous desire. I felt bad for everyone involved (King is good at that), but I especially felt bad for the dog, and as a dog owner, that problematized my enjoyment for obvious reasons.
If Goodreads allowed half-stars, I'd probably give this one a 2.5, but am giving it a 3 regardless because overall it is a decent novel, but probably my least enjoyed King book yet. ...more
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