Sept '22 Group Read 1 - My Heart Is a Chainsaw

[Rob]

So far, I agree with you Lisa. I like the book enough to keep going, but sometimes I’ll read a page or so then think to myself, “Whaaaat?” and go back and re-read just to get a handle on what I just read. Not a straightforward plot by any means and I’m still trying to figure out exactly whats going on…but its different enough from most other narratives to keep me intrigued. I just finished the scene where Jade’s in the sheriff’s office doing mental battle with his secretary and I found that scene pretty hilarious!

[Lisa]

Rob wrote: "So far, I agree with you Lisa. I like the book enough to keep going, but sometimes I’ll read a page or so then think to myself, “Whaaaat?” and go back and re-read just to get a handle on what I jus..."

Rob, agreed on the sheriff's office scene. I did really like Jade and found her smart and witty. I liked the "assignment" entries a lot too.

[Melanie]

I read this and (thanks to a goodreads giveaway win) Don't Fear the Reaper, the 2nd book in the trilogy.

I've read other SGJ books; he's now a favorite modern horror writer of mine. He has a knack for writing horror with heart. I found this most evident with this book, because of Jade.

The classic horror is there, for sure. The gore and slasher tropes are surface-level. But there's a deeper, more meaningful context to this horror story. Jade embodies real life horrors -- trauma, survival.... That she is a horror fanatic who moves the story along with her knowledge and predictions (based on the genre) was a fitting storytelling method. Yet her connection to and use of horror is not simply meant for that. It is meant for her -- her personal horror, her coping, her healing, her surviving.

It sounds cliche to say life is the real horror. But I don't know how else to sum it up. The nerd in me would love to analyze this for pages! But yeah... My Heart Is A Chainsaw is raw and real. Look deeper into the lake to see what's lurking.

It's so much more than a horror book. It's layered. It has soul. It's deserving of book club discussions. And Jade is a memorable character.

Don't Fear the Reaper ramps up the surface-level slasher/horror elements of the overall story. And maintains the deeper, more meaningful below-the-surface elements. I had fun with this one. Now waiting for part 3.

[Carrie (brightbeautifulthings)]

Love that analysis!

[Lindsay]

I finished this late last night, and my only thoughts were "....what???" Honestly, I didn't really like it. I said to my boyfriend last night I'm only finishing it out of spite, and the last 50 pages were difficult.
I think Jade was well written, but my god she was so annoying. Since we're "in her head" for the entire book, it felt so incredibly slow, because every time she touched a door knob it was a monologue.
I only liked scenes with other people in them since it was a break from her endless words.

[Carrie (brightbeautifulthings)]

I think the book would have been better with more character interaction too. Loner characters can be difficult. All my favorite parts were when Jade was actually with other people.

[Ian (RebelGeek)]

I enjoyed Jade's inner monologue & reports.

[destiny ♡]

I'm about 25-30% into the book right now and loving it so far. I relate a LOT to Jade and her inner monologue reminds me so much of myself when I was younger, plus I'm loving all of the references!

[destiny ♡]

Melanie wrote: "I read this and (thanks to a goodreads giveaway win) Don't Fear the Reaper, the 2nd book in the trilogy.

I've read other SGJ books; he's now a favorite modern horror writer of mine. He has a knac..."

I love everything you said here. ♥