2026 FEB: Pines by Blake Crouch > Likes and Comments
date
newest »
newest »
I just ordered a copy. If it grabs me, expect some feedback early next week - otherwise some time after that - lets see!
Started. He finds himself in the town. Something fishy afoot.
Finished it!A well crafted homage to the iconic 90s TV series Twin Peaks in essence. I thought that well before I got to the end - when the author acknowledges the inspiration. I was hooked deeply into the Twin Peaks cultural phenomenon back in the 90s, so that dynamic pretty much jumped out and slapped me on the face from the get go.
It's not really a techno thriller, more of a psychological mystery thriller with technological notes, that only come into play very late.
The author studied creative writing at uni, and it shows - rather than (as many are) being in some other related profession, he has been professionally trained to write from the get go. I often felt I was being 'coached' along in the novel by some functional background algorithm designed to keep me there and push buttons in a predetermined way, rather than being inspired or 'wowed' anywhere. It is very professionally done let's say!
I am not saying that's a bad thing, his extended action sequence writing is very effective, although sometimes I did get 'action fatigue' - there is only so much stabbing and running and hiding one can take at one time! The other thing that stuck a little was the technological 'reveal' happens so late in the novel, it almost feels artificially stitched on as an afterthought so that all the previous stabbing and running and hiding made sense in hindsight. I think that feeds back into the professional functionality of this novel - like an up-market fast food chain - they know how to tickle your taste buds to keep you going, but you still feel somewhat unsatisfied in the end.
The good reads rating is about 3.8 - and I think that's spot on for me. Since I have been writing I see so much more of the structure that sits behind novels. I don't read them innocently anymore (if that makes sense).
How did it come across to you?
I’m not sure how far I got. He is in a predicament and there is mystery to be had, … but no stakes. I just … didn’t care. Sure the stakes are he’s stuck and wants to escape, return to his life and wife. But, I just didn’t seem to care. Something is afoot. Someone is doing something, probably for some reason, but they didn’t hint at anything and just stonewalled and stalled on the flow of info so I just didn’t care. I found myself regularly opting for one of my other books more often than not. My time ran out and the book went back to the library. I have put it on hold but it’s a 4 week wait to get it back. I’ve finished worse books. Maybe it will come around, but it didn’t grab me right off the bat. I’ll probably finish this one eventually. We’ll see. I didn’t get far enough to rate it.
Ha ha, yes, I can see how you ended up there! It's very much commercial fiction from a commercial writer. Nothing wrong with that if done well, but you can almost feel the narrative hooks being inserted into you and if at any point you decide you don't care - it's over! It's a 3.5 ish stars for me. A reasonable choice as literary chewing gum if stuck in an airport lounge or something, but not something that will stay with you. Onto the next then.
Pines by Blake Crouch (2012)
Publisher’s Summary
Wayward Pines, Idaho, is quintessential small-town America--or so it seems. Secret Service agent Ethan Burke arrives in search of two missing federal agents, yet soon is facing much more than he bargained for. After a violent accident lands him in the hospital, Ethan comes to with no ID and no cell phone. The medical staff seems friendly enough, but sometimes feels...off. As days pass, Ethan's investigation into his colleagues' disappearance turns up more questions than answers
WHY CAN'T HE MAKE CONTACT WITH HIS FAMILY IN THE OUTSIDE WORLD? WHY DOESN'T ANYONE BELIEVE HE IS WHO HE SAYS HE IS? AND WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THE ELECTRIFIED FENCES ENCIRCLING THE TOWN? ARE THEY KEEPING THE RESIDENTS IN? OR SOMETHING ELSE OUT?
Each step toward the truth takes Ethan further from the world he knows, until he must face a horrifying fact—he may never get out of Wayward Pines alive.....