A teenage girl, a man who drinks, and a talking house cat live in a boarded-up house at the edge of the wild Washington woods. An unspeakable secret binds them together, but when a new neighbor moves in next door, what is buried out among the birch trees may come back to haunt them all. With a totally unreliable narrator, this book was hard to get into and I thought about bailing but decided to hang in until the very end. I was glad I did because it is not until the very end that the reader finds out what is really going on. If you like strange mystery books then this book is for you.
I love books with talking animals and stories told from an animal's point of view. Based on the description and the cover, I expected this to be a light mystery with perhaps a few supernatural elements. I was wrong. Whatever you think this book is going to be like is wrong.
That being said, the first half was a bit slow. I wouldn't say that this was a pleasant read, but by the end it is impossible to not be impressed by the author's cleverness.
That being said, the first half was a bit slow. I wouldn't say that this was a pleasant read, but by the end it is impossible to not be impressed by the author's cleverness.
SUSAN S. (susieqmillsacoustics) -
This book really got me. I felt horrified for most of this book but I couldn't stop reading it. I was quite confused along the way as well. Then it all becomes clear and I'm not sure if I'm more disturbed or less disturbed? In the acknowledgements at the end (which the author strongly warns the reader NOT to read if you haven't finished the book because it is one long spoiler) the author refers to this tale as a survivor's tale disguised as horror... and after reading the acknowledgements I am not sure if I am more disturbed by the book's telling or the author's explanation at the end. It's clever writing and I would recommend if you are good with weird and disturbing tales.
What can I say? I am blown away by this book. A book that I didn't even think I would like, much less love. The story is a confusing one.....but I recommend you stick with it, go with the flow and prepare to be amazed. The ending is outstanding. I will think of this book for a long time! It is very creative and wonderful writing.
I don't read a lot of horror so perhaps those who do might not be as amazed as I was. But, please give it a try!
I don't read a lot of horror so perhaps those who do might not be as amazed as I was. But, please give it a try!
