November 2015 Group Read-The Library at Mount Char

[Finnegan]

This doesn't really make all that much sense. I'm only on the second chapter, but I just don't get it. The characters are very complex, but it'll be better (I hope) once they have some backstory and explain what's going on.

[Gerhard]

The characters here are excellent: Steve-in-the-killer-pink-tutu is particularly priceless.

[Gerhard]

Cam wrote: "This doesn't really make all that much sense. I'm only on the second chapter, but I just don't get it. The characters are very complex, but it'll be better (I hope) once they have some backstory an..."

Cam, if you hang in there, it does make sense eventually. Plus it ties together in quite unexpected ways at the end. Best to treat each chapter as a separate set piece at the beginning, and then you'll see how it starts to align. Hawkins trust the reader to go along with him ... it is a helluva ride in the end.

[AmberBug]

Robert wrote: "This book is completely mental, and I have to say I'm really enjoying it! I can definitely see why it's not for everyone, though. The synopsis said it was a cross between Neil Gaiman and Joe Hill, ..."

Yes! Perfect pairing of Authors. I loved this one. Someone also mentioned Clive and this was my immediate thought about the characters, almost like Pinhead & Company. Anyways, here is my review, for those interested to see a favorable one.

I also see that nobody has commented on how original this felt. And... did anyone else laugh as much as I did? I love a good combo of horror and humor as long as it doesn't get too cheesy.

[AmberBug]

Oh, and I do remember this one as an uphill battle trying to figure out what was going on. Once it came together though... that's when the fun started.

[Ruthie]

The Library at Mount Char is complex, bloody, odd, and downright entertaining. Right from the start, you are mired in confusion, and then you spend the rest of the story clawing your way out and into the bright light of the new sun. Get it? New sun? You will once you read this amazing story.

I don't want to give anything away and spoil the fun, so I'll only say that Scott Hawkins has taken a well-known story and turned it inside out, outside in, and every which way.

Don't let the baffling details, gore, and strangeness deter you. Sit back and allow the story to unfold and reveal its mysteries and secrets in its own time. Enjoy the ride. I know I did.

[DOLLY]

Elle wrote: "I feel like this book is really full. I'm about 15% in, and I feel like I've gotten dumped with a LOT of information, but it's not explained in the best of ways.
For example, if David's the one wh..."

Seeing how Carolyn changes into a robe and cleans herself off before joining the others hints to me she definitely did something worth hiding.
also, she circles around and watches her siblings from downwind before trudging in loudly, maintaining the illusion that she isn't as cunning as she actually is.
what's up with that? if our protagonist is as devious as is hinted in the beginning, I'm def psyched to read on. love rooting for the antihero.

[Walter]

Just started, around fifty pages or so in. I'm getting the feeling that this is one of those novels that straddles the genres of horror and fantasy in much the same way that (for example) Octavia E. Butler's Dawn is ostensibly sf, but can be found on multiple top ten horror lists. I'd call this one dark fantasy.

Aside from that, I like the storytelling chops of the author. I recently read a well-known novel where the prose sometimes felt forced and self-conscious, and the characters were a bit two-dimensional. Not having that trouble with this one, happy to say, and I'm quite impressed with this level of craft (at least this far in) from a first novel.

[Scott]

I'm only about 15% into this book. I am enjoying it, but then it's been almost a year since I've had the time to sit back and read for pleasure.

The general theme reminds me of Black and Orange that I read a few years ago. A sub group of people with a special power that operate in normal society without regular people even aware they exist.

[Sally]

So, at first I hated it because it was so strange and gory and I didn't have a clue what was going on. Now I'm about 35% into it, and I still don't understand it, but I'm starting to like it. Its a really strange book, but I'm not sure that I think of it as a horror book... but I don't really know what I'd call it!

[Kasia]

Chapter 2 .. Boy this is crazy stuff, I'll be back to discuss, now off to read to some classical music while I'm still awake. Hope everyone's having a great Saturday night.

[Kimberly]

Still not sure I'm going to make it for this read, but this is the one I'll be going with if I can (probably closer to the end of the month).

[Michael]

I've really been itching to read this one, but don't think I can get to it... We'll see, though. If I can burn through my current read and an ARC I have to finish before Thanksgiving, I may try to dive in. Too many books, nowhere near enough time...

[DOLLY]

finished!
thanks so much for recommending this book. Looking at the cover, I never would have given it so much as a second glance. I'm so glad I read it. The mythos constructed and imagination that went into this is fresh, genuine, and ingenious - bravo, Hawkins.
my review here is a bit mixed, but positive overall.

great pick, guys! can't wait for Dec read.

[Pixelina]

So happy that this one was chosen, it was quite the ride and I loved every minute off it. What an amazing novel debute too, I really hope the author puts down the manuals on Linux or whatever and gives us some more great horror/fantasy.

only thing that bothered me:
I wanted to know what ALL the catalogues where.

[AmberBug]

Jeanette (jema) wrote: "So happy that this one was chosen, it was quite the ride and I loved every minute off it. What an amazing novel debute too, I really hope the author puts down the manuals on Linux or whatever and g..."

He is working on a new book, not horror related but it will play off his computer background.

[Robert]

I'm pretty close to finished, at 85%, after getting some time to read in the car yesterday. In response to AmberBug, yes, I have laughed out loud numerous times! The author has a keen sense of the absurd without going completely overboard. I am incredibly impressed with the imagination and the polish given that this is a first novel - it is rare to find that. I also would probably categorize it dark fantasy, and I'm probably going to recommend it to my wife, who does NOT like horror. I should finish in the next couple of days.

[Lena]

2% in. "Carolyn rose and stood alone in the dark, both in that moment and ever after.” Bambi! Noooooo!

[[deleted user]]

I finally got this book but will be starting it a little late. So far all the feedback makes this book sound like the perfect fit for me so I am very excited to start it :D.

[Lena]

25% in. The strangeness of this book reminds me of American Elsewhere, only gorier.

[Lena]

34% in. “And why did you do this? To what purpose? You were going to steal their lives so they could growl and roar for the amusement of your whores?”
“Sort of…I guess. But I mean, you saw Scarface, right? It was—”
I have had fantasies where men have been torn apart by the animals whose lives they've destroyed. The darkness in me smiled reading this.

[Robert]

Finished this one, and really enjoyed it. The ending was satisfying, and I think really the best way it could have ended. I'm really glad this got picked, because it might have been one of those I bought and then kept passing over in favor of other things. I am going to recommend it to my wife, because even though she hates horror, she doesn't mind gore, so I think she'll be fine with this one, and will enjoy it.

[Lena]

87% in. A triumphant ending has come and gone. I have no idea what this sad after party is but it's making me nervous.

[Kasia]

I was up to page 90 or so when I had to go back to beginning and start it over, reading while tired doesn't work here. I'm loving this story though, I'm going to buy the paper version so I can shelf it.

Glad I picked it up :) it's gruesome and flows well, characters feel natural, really fun read.

[Latasha]

I finished last night. It really picks up & goes fast after that 50% mark. It did for me, anyways. I liked it but didn't love it. Don't really have a lot to say about it.

[Walter]

I enjoyed it. But then I've always been a sucker for stories where (view spoiler)[the underdog comes out on top (hide spoiler)].

[Jimmie]

I finished this book today and I have to give the author credit for creating the most unique book I have ever read. I was lost during much of the book, but I kept reading and about 60% into the book I became enthralled and hooked with the story. I have read one Neil Gaiman book and two Joe Hill books, so I had an open mind while reading The Library at Mont Char. That is good, because this book blew my mind. I really enjoyed the imagery with this book.

[Lena]

Thank you once again guys for an awesome book I may not have read otherwise! This weekend need to through my old reviews and give Group BOMs credit. Groups are the best part of Goodreads!!!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Kasia]

I got home really late from work last night and only managed to read a tiny but but I'm about 20 pages away from the end, love this book :) so glad I picked it up.

[Troy]

I finished The Library at Mont Char the other day (My first Group Read and then promptly started Horns but that's getting off topic).

Like other people have said:
-I enjoyed reading it but didn't love it.
-I wanted to know what ALL the catalogs where.
-The 2nd half of the book does seem to fly by.
-It's not horror, maybe dark fantasy.

I'm glad I read it.

[Lena]

Congratulations!!! First group read!

[Troy]

Thank you... it was a lot of fun and exposed me to a book that I probably wouldn't have read otherwise.

I'm reading the 2nd Group Read for November right now, Horns. I'm really enjoying it.

I've also really enjoyed reading about the nominations for the December group read. Discovering a ton of new books.

[Brian]

Finished it I think 2 days ago. Just have to echo what other people have said I suppose. I'm not sure how much I liked it but part of that's cause I don't have much of a perspective to judge it against for whatever it is.

[Hudson]

I'm late to the dance here, opinion seems pretty split with a slight edge towards the negative maybe?

I absolutely loved it and like many people here have mentioned, I thought it was hard to assign a certain genre to the book.

The (view spoiler)[ brass bull (view spoiler)[ scenes were crazy! This was an actual device from ancient history. (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[AmberBug]

Hudson wrote: "I'm late to the dance here, opinion seems pretty split with a slight edge towards the negative maybe?

I absolutely loved it and like many people here have mentioned, I thought it was hard to assig..."

Okay, so thanks for the spoiler because I never would have thought that! I agree that those scenes were chilling.

[Lena]

Nothing wrong with being original and having a strong female lead. My favorite moment:

“he saw Carolyn walking, saw the way the muscles of her calves flashed in the headlights with each step.
Something in this tableau—he never quite settled on exactly what—put him in mind of Dresden, turning to face the pack of dogs, how every muscle of the lion’s anatomy stood out in taut relief, the mute vehicles of his titanic and furious will.”