To William Lowson, impending fatherhood means an impending stain. His work as a Human Remains Removal Specialist, professionally cleaning the stain...
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Feb 11, 2012
Lea
rated it: 
I keep procrastinating on writing a review for this book, mainly because I just don't know what to say about it. I'm not even sure how I feel about it!
Let's get the boring, nitpicky stuff out of the way -- as usual. Typos, which seemed to get worse as the book went along. Everything from misspellings to what seem to be misused words. Why?? I expect this in a goodreads win -- because they're most likely sending out proofs rather than finished editions -- but this wasn't a win, I b More...
Let's get the boring, nitpicky stuff out of the way -- as usual. Typos, which seemed to get worse as the book went along. Everything from misspellings to what seem to be misused words. Why?? I expect this in a goodreads win -- because they're most likely sending out proofs rather than finished editions -- but this wasn't a win, I b More...
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Feb 11, 2012
Paul
rated it: 
William Lowson is about to be a father, and that scares the crap out of him. Most fathers-to-be would be worried about how they could potentially screw up their child after it’s born. But William is sure his child is already a goner, what with all the hazardous chemicals that cling to him from his work, of which his wife inhales the second-hand fumes. And besides, a baby will eventually be just another stain for someone to clean up, so could it really be worth it?
His elderly friend, More...
His elderly friend, More...
Jul 06, 2011
Nicholas
rated it: 
Though it doesn't appear promoted as such, to me Stranger Will is the most upsetting sort of horror story. The monster is a school principal with a notion of learning that owes a lot to eugenics and a really intense sort of Darwinism.
I'm not sure I've ever encountered a protagonist as disturbingly pessimistic as William. His bleak perspective pervades the very fiber of the story. This book presents a worldview where children are a necessary casualty in the disturbing games of adults. More...
I'm not sure I've ever encountered a protagonist as disturbingly pessimistic as William. His bleak perspective pervades the very fiber of the story. This book presents a worldview where children are a necessary casualty in the disturbing games of adults. More...
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Nov 13, 2011
Ken
rated it:
Having already been a fan of Caleb J. Ross from his short story collection, Charactered Pieces, it was nice to see him make a big leap with his first novel, Stranger Will. In fact, he jumped himself right into Ira Levin territory with this macabre tale of evil that lives right next door (if not right inside the protagonist). It’s been a while since I have read a solid, eerie tale of actual human depravity — let’s face it, most writers are too zombie and vampire obsessed these days — but Stranger
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Feb 11, 2012
Richard
rated it:
Caleb Ross writes lyrical prose that pulls you into the politics and morality of this story, Stranger Will. For most of us, children are the future, they represent hope and dreams. But in this novel they represent the fated, the already lost. Conspiracies only seem paranoid and insane if they have no base in reality. One of the most compelling images that has stuck with me in this novel, for years now, is the carrier pigeon, message tied to its tiny clawed foot, shot from the sky. The note stuck
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May 30, 2011
Kristin
rated it:
Having loved Ross’ collection of short stories, Charactered Pieces, I greatly anticipated reading his first novel. I was not disappointed. Again, he takes the reader out of his or her comfort zone. The theme of this book reminded me of a strange incident.
In the fall of 2003, I was seven months pregnant with my first child when I visited San Francisco for the fourth time. In the previous three trips, I noticed the homeless population, but didn’t dwell too long on the issue as I live i More...
In the fall of 2003, I was seven months pregnant with my first child when I visited San Francisco for the fourth time. In the previous three trips, I noticed the homeless population, but didn’t dwell too long on the issue as I live i More...
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Feb 11, 2012
Christine
rated it:
I recieved this book through First Reads.
I have to be honest and say this is probably not a book I would have picked up off the shelf.
I was hooked from the beginning and loved this book! :)
Thank you Caleb J. Ross for sending me this book. I would LOVE to see a zombie novel from you. I think you could make an awesome one with your care to details :)
I have to be honest and say this is probably not a book I would have picked up off the shelf.
I was hooked from the beginning and loved this book! :)
Thank you Caleb J. Ross for sending me this book. I would LOVE to see a zombie novel from you. I think you could make an awesome one with your care to details :)
3 comments
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May 31, 2011
Katie
rated it: 
Where to begin, where to begin... I guess I should start by saying that my rating is actually a 2.5, not a 2.
This book had quite a few beautiful moments both in the imagery and dialogue. Mrs. Rose, especially, had a number of quotes that really impacted me to where I would have to put my book down for a minute to really digest what had just been said. Overall, there was major character development.
That being said, I found the plot surrounding the well-developed characte More...
This book had quite a few beautiful moments both in the imagery and dialogue. Mrs. Rose, especially, had a number of quotes that really impacted me to where I would have to put my book down for a minute to really digest what had just been said. Overall, there was major character development.
That being said, I found the plot surrounding the well-developed characte More...
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May 07, 2011
Gordon
rated it:
In this story, a cult of aspiring "strangers" work shifts dressed as bums on park benches adjacent to a school playground as part of their indoctrination, while the specially-chosen children in their eyeline learn life lessons of their own from their shared leader, Mrs. Rose. She's a charismatic Tyler Durden type (both mentor and antagonist) with utopian dreams but dystopian methods who guides our William through the not-so-traumatic experience of losing his unborn child.
That More...
That More...
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Feb 11, 2012
Simon
rated it:
I already had a sense of apprehension when I bought this book. I know Caleb, you see. I've read a fair amount of his work and one thing I know: his characters give me the willies. So having read the opener a little while back, I had a pretty good idea what I was getting into.
Stranger Will doesn't disappoint. It delivers a story which stirs up subject matter that's thought provoking and uncomfortable. William, the central character is - as the title suggests - a strange fellow (though More...
Stranger Will doesn't disappoint. It delivers a story which stirs up subject matter that's thought provoking and uncomfortable. William, the central character is - as the title suggests - a strange fellow (though More...
Apr 10, 2011
When my book club picks a book, it's because it's a really great book and we think all of the club will all enjoy reading a discussing it. Never and I do mean Never do we select a book to disect.
So my guess is this will be one that will be a favorite!
So my guess is this will be one that will be a favorite!
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Mar 18, 2011
Caleb
rated it:
If I didn't rate it 5 stars, wouldn't that be like saying I don't respect your time?
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Feb 11, 2012
Bookedpodcast
rated it:
Fantastically written. A truly unique and disturbing book.
Stranger Will tells the tale of William, who cleans the stains left by dead bodies. Will's fiance is pregnant and Will can't imagine bringing a child into such a messed up world. Not for the weak-stomached, Stranger Will is a tale of impending parenthood, control, decisions and consequences.
Hear our full spoiler-free review at:
http://www.bookedpodcast.com
Stranger Will tells the tale of William, who cleans the stains left by dead bodies. Will's fiance is pregnant and Will can't imagine bringing a child into such a messed up world. Not for the weak-stomached, Stranger Will is a tale of impending parenthood, control, decisions and consequences.
Hear our full spoiler-free review at:
http://www.bookedpodcast.com
Jul 12, 2011
I made it about 20 pages into this very dark book when I had to set it down. I can already see where this book is headed and I'm not sure if I can go there right now, especially as a relatively new father. It doesn't help that I think that the main character, William, is a jerk. I'm curious about what happens later in the book but will have to pick it up later.
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Nov 21, 2011
Georgina
rated it:
Dark and disturbing, just the way I like it. The writing is masterful, the literary techniques light so the reader barely notices them as they enjoy the story itself. I wish I knew someone who'd read it so that I could discuss it with them, that's how much I enjoyed it.
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