Horror Aficionados discussion
This topic is about
The Elementals
Group Reads
>
April 2016 Group Read #2-The Elementals by Michael McDowell
message 1:
by
Char
(new)
-
rated it 5 stars
Apr 04, 2016 08:06AM
Our Group Read runner up this month is The Elementals by Michael McDowell. Here's a place for us to discuss the book. Please remember to use spoiler tags as necessary and, as always, happy reading!
reply
|
flag
OK, I'm really hoping to jump in on this one in about a week or so, because it looks like I've got a break in my editing schedule. Plus it was already on the list for the 2016 challenge - bonus! :-) Yahoo!
Mod
What a great book! I hope everyone enjoys.
Never read it - but looking forward to getting started
This is one of my all time favorites. I hope everyone enjoys it too. :)
Read this one a couple of months back! It's a really good book! Looking forward to the discussions! :)
Mod
An instant favorite--I forgot how many quotes I loved from this one until I started the re-read!!!
I'll be joining in on this one. Looks really good.
I had to order my copy, so will have to wait till it gets here.
I've wanted to read this one for awhile, but looking like I might not be able to start it just yet... doh >.<
Mod
It is a great one, whenever you get to it. I have some group reads I don't get to until closer to the end of the month--people start at different times, and use spoiler tags so that they don't ruin the plot for those not at the same place. :)
Kimberly wrote: It is a great one, whenever you get to it. I have some group reads I do..."Ah that's good to know as it's looking like I won't be able to start until nearer the end of April.
This is the kind of book I would love to find in a little second hand book shop, an older edition and a bit crinkled but full of character....
Might have to just settle for the kindle edition though!
Started this last night. The intro and first chapter tell me that this is the book I've been waiting for!
Mod
(view spoiler)
I read it a little over a year ago and enjoyed it - has a quiet menace about it.
Loving this book, great characters and the setting is so unusual, who would have thought that you could build gothic menace on bright sunshine splashed beaches.
My copy arrived in the mail, but I'll be a bit getting to it, since I already had another one to start on.
I'm a little late to the party, but I'm starting this one tonight.
I just finished chapter 3 - so far I'm intrigued. I'm hoping to read quickly and finish before another job comes in!
I also just finished Chapter 3. This is a weird one, but I'm already sucked in.
Having to set this aside for a bit, unfortunately - sigh...
Mike wrote: "Finished reading - here's my spoiler free review.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
An awesome review with which I wholeheartedly agree!
Chapter 13 now. This is a dense 218 pages, but wonderful so far.
Finished today--5 stars from start to finish. I think this is my favorite of the books I've read for this group, so far.
Mod
I have to say, this is one of my all-time favorites!
I just finished Part I. I'm loving it so far! India is my favorite character but I like them all really. The family dynamics are just hilarious! : )Can't wait to see what happens with The Third House in Part II.
Just barely in, but quickly seeing why this one is such a favorite for so many. Helped when I discovered that the author penned the scripts to two of my favorite flicks, Beetlejuice and The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Walter wrote: "Just barely in, but quickly seeing why this one is such a favorite for so many. Helped when I discovered that the author penned the scripts to two of my favorite flicks, Beetlejuice and The Nightma..."Yep, the guy could write. :)
Mod
Agreed! :D
McDowell created such a palpable sense of dread in this novel. The atmosphere was remarkably suffocating.
Jonathan wrote: "McDowell created such a palpable sense of dread in this novel. The atmosphere was remarkably suffocating."Agreed!
Mod
I couldn't agree more!
I'm getting near the finish line. Definitely has made me want to read more of the author's work.
Finally started this one! I had better hurry up and catch up with everyone!
Walter wrote: "I'm getting near the finish line. Definitely has made me want to read more of the author's work."I'm so pleased that you liked it, Walter. :)
Mod
One of the things I liked about the book is that the author struck what I considered to be an intelligent balance as regards the stereotypical horror novel conundrum: why do people willingly put themselves into a potentially dangerous situation?I remember a Geico commercial that made fun of this flaccid plot point, with the four victims huddling in a room with chainsaws hanging from the ceiling. That one had even the cliched mad serial killer scratching his head.
The houses were such a source of joy to so many of the characters, with even India being won over by them. Unsentimental childhood memories of friendships between the family members, not to mention the budding romance between Dauphin and Leigh, made the common agreement to turn a blind eye understandable. You could actually believe in the reasons why they all came, there being such a balance between the attraction of the place and the potential danger, which prior to the events of the novel hadn't yet been violated to such a degree that the character's actions felt stupid and reckless (though not what one could call bright either).
Looking forward to reading more of the author's work.
I've just finished this. Honestly, my first impression is that its one of the finest books I've ever read. I'm new to Michael McDowell, but his prose and the way he maintained an atmosphere of unsettling dread, while also supplying great interactions and lighthearted family dynamics, truly superb!These were my thoughts. No spoilers. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Loved the suspense! The back and forth between the present and the past stories was superb.
I'm really pleased that this read went over so well. :)
I was really impressed with this book. Although it was a slow burn, the sense of intrigue never faltered. We knew tragedies associated with Beldame had occurred previously, and in all likelihood these were going to be associated around The Third House, but McDowell got the balance right. Even once we knew for certain that things 'were' happening, we still couldn't be sure there was an evil presence involved.The characters were perfectly drawn, with some very strange dynamics among certain members of the group, and the way Michael McDowell cranked things up leading into the finale. Superb!
Mod
McDowell is one of those authors I WISHED I had known about earlier--I'm already re-reading some of his books that I first read only a year or two ago!
David wrote: "I was really impressed with this book. Although it was a slow burn, the sense of intrigue never faltered. We knew tragedies associated with Beldame had occurred previously, and in all likelihood th..."I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I know how this book went over with me and I'm glad to see that it's working for almost everyone else as well. McDowell was a truly special talent, IMO.
Kimberly and Charlene, I concur. I'm actually quite excited at the prospect of his other works. He is one of those authors I'd heard plenty of good things about, though for some reason never quite got around to reading.
This was indeed a "slow burn," but it reached scorching proportions for sure. Loved it!
I may re-read this. It was the first Michael McDowell I read, but it wasn't the last. I found this book truly scary.
