Josh Krysak
Flush with action, horror, pop culture and POV versatility, Meddling Kids is a thrill ride of nostalgia and campy fun. I was completely in for the first half of the book but the second half became too mired in overly-long action sequences. Cantero's use of the aforementioned multiple points-of-view and use of second and third person writing, and his unique breaks of the fourth wall helped to lighten these longer passages with a smattering of whimsy that he deftly dealt in the earlier stages of Meddling Kids. This book is a good time with some poignant writing about identity and belonging, too.
A reread and well worth it. So imaginative and readable without being too simplistic. Great, likable characters. Just a fun read all around. 2X (June 2019, February 2023)
In my second time through this, all the issues just rose to the top for me. What I bypassed in the first read were too much to maintain the 3 stars I had given it. The plot and twists were so obvious and her repetition of certain words and phrases began to make me feel crazy , “throat,” “heart,” “lamplight.” I still like Ware, just not this time.
Luminous prose. Characters so intricately constructed. Vivid and beautiful and heartbreaking. I really loved this book.
The writing incredible. The repetition frustrating. The foundations of future horror - very evident. Lovecraft is masterful.
*4.5 stars. Such a fun, immersive read. No pun intended. I loved the impending dread and the sense of urgency.
What a wonderful book. Eleanor is such a self-possessed character and is resplendent in her quirkiness and meticulous idiosyncrasies. She is surrounded by strong characters, each fresh and simply drawn. A heartfelt meditation on loneliness, coping with loss and finding the stuff of life in the everyday connections that surround us. I enjoyed every page.
*2.5 stars. Brutal and desolate. Some passages that ventured into a kind of stark loveliness but I never connected with the characters.
Creepy and nuanced. The parallels between the narrator's marriage and ordinary life and the unexplained mysteries of the vacation house are well drawn. Very much enjoyed.
*2.75? While it was an exhilarating read at times and had some beautifully crafted moments, it just missed the mark to be anything more to me. Some elements were too pat and some of it seemed forced. I was entertained throughout but just not enlightened or transported.
An enjoyable read. There is just something smooth and easy about the writing and the characters, especially Grace, are well drawn and relatable.
4.5 stars. Absolutely riveting and chocked full of some of the most bizarre and unbelievable adventures in a time when exploration reigned supreme. I am beyond fascinated with the trio of main characters here - namely the enigmatic Richard Burton.
So much fun and so much heart. I liked it and then I started to love it and then it gutted me and I loved it more.
Not quite as moving as My Name Is Lucy Barton, but filled with Strout's perfect writing and wonderful insight. I am looking forward to continuing to work through her catalogue.
This is a claustrophobic, atmospheric, horror gem. The pages fly by and the manic tension in Jemc's extraordinary hands creates a fever dream of a novel. A haunted house story that shatters expectations and hums with deeper meditations on love, understanding, illness, sadness, fear and what it means to truly link your present and future to another human, for better or worse.
*4.5 stars. This book is difficult to classify but is filled with exceptional writing, early moments of what I would call “pre-dread” and was, all-in-all, well worth reading. It is a slim novel and I flew through it, early on because it was dancing around horror tropes that kept me turning the pages and later as it transitioned toward a more sad and speculative meditation on the human condition. I enjoyed it very much.
This book is so dynamic. It truly is a fairytale for adults. There is such a build up of unease and dread early on followed by truly shocking twists and unexpected story lines. There is something mystical maintained throughout. Very enjoyable, even if there are some untied loose ends. They just don't matter. Suspend your disbelief and just immerse yourself. You'll be glad you did. Beautiful and mesmerizing.
Superb writing and a moving story. Compulsively readable. Heavy with melancholy but with a hopefulness, too.
A soft 3. Some very interesting perspectives and I liked the structure but felt a little thin. Kind of just a collection of thoughtful snippets. Just couldn't get into Frankie's world as much as I would have liked to.
It really reads like a Fever Dream. Enjoyed it, in all its confusing and bizarre intrigue.
