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What Moves the Dead
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March 2023 Group Read #1 - What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
message 51:
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Adrienne L
(new)
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rated it 4 stars
Feb 28, 2023 06:57PM
I totally missed this thread and got a head start. I just finished this book today. It was my first by T. Kingfisher. I have loved Poe since I was a kid and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.
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Finishing up Fall of the House of Usher today, can't wait to see how this book dances with it!
I really enjoyed this one when I read it last year. I was a bit freaked out by those rabbits.
Carrie (brightbeautifulthings) wrote: "I really enjoyed the addition of the new pronouns, and I think it's a good introduction to familiarizing readers with ones that aren't strictly binary. I don't find anything goofy about a soldier g..."Well, put, Carrie.
Char wrote: "I really enjoyed this one when I read it last year. I was a bit freaked out by those rabbits."I definitely didn't like (view spoiler)
I'm about 20% of the way through, and I'm not loving it like everyone else seems to be. I don't always like when authors try to write in the same fashion as the classics. It usually comes off really dry and boring to me. That's what I was worried about with this story, and why I hadn't read it yet. I don't hate What Moves The Dead so far, I just mostly feel indifferent.
Krystal wrote: "Calvin wrote: "“The pronouns threw me”oh boy…"
Haha controversial can of worms, huh?
To clarify: because I was reading this slower (and reading other things in between) I forgot that there were..."
I definitely understand how you feel. I actually caught myself zoning out during the section talking about pronouns, and explaining everything about being a soldier. I had to reread it a few times and still stumbled on some of the pronouns later on. I understand what the author was trying to do, but for me, it felt very info-dumpy and not natural. So it really took me out of the story. Though it probably has a lot to do with the style of writing in general.
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Ash wrote: "Krystal wrote: "Calvin wrote: "“The pronouns threw me”oh boy…"
Haha controversial can of worms, huh?
To clarify: because I was reading this slower (and reading other things in between) I forgot..."
Yeah I'm assuming it's going to come off as forced, which in my opinion most of that agenda pushing stuff does nowadays. But I'll keep further opinions on that to myself. Some seem to like an appreciate it so as always I'll keep an open mind!
Krystal wrote: "Char wrote: "I really enjoyed this one when I read it last year. I was a bit freaked out by those rabbits."I definitely didn't like [spoilers removed]"
Yeah, (view spoiler)
Ash wrote: "I'm about 20% of the way through, and I'm not loving it like everyone else seems to be. I don't always like when authors try to write in the same fashion as the classics. It usually comes off reall..."I read this at the very end of last year and honestly, I hated it. It felt like reading the textbook of a country I didn't care about. I wish there was more horror in it, because the 7% that was there was really quite good!
Ophelia wrote: "I'd like to take the rest of the week off work to read!"I agree, Ophelia. Can't we just take off the rest of life to read?!!
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I'm 25% through and it might be too early to judge, but although the writing is light, it's still not holding my attention.
As for the pronouns, it's not the concept of gender non-conforming terms that I have an issue with, it's the number of them. However, I just took a picture of the explanation bit, which I'll use as reference for whenever I get confused haha.
The scariest scene for me was the bit with the smiling sleepwalker. Something about creepy, unnaturally wide grins just freaks me right out!
Damini wrote: "As for the pronouns, it's not the concept of gender non-conforming terms that I have an issue with, it's the number of them. However, I just took a picture of the explanation bit, which I'll use as..."I had the same issue towards the end. I had gotten the hang of ka and kan because it was used throughout, but when the author threw in va and van toward the end I had to take a moment to remember what those pronouns meant. Taking a picture of the explanation was a really good idea.
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That annoyed me to no end. I just found it utterly unnecessary and it just added pages and made things more confusing.
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Alan wrote: "Damini wrote: "As for the pronouns, it's not the concept of gender non-conforming terms that I have an issue with, it's the number of them. However, I just took a picture of the explanation bit, wh..."I'm actually so relieved people agree with me on this! I was feeling like jerk about it haha
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I felt that way. I get why they did it at first, but there were so many, and they didn't "need" to be brought up as often as they were, imo.
I'm torn with this book. I loved Kingfisher's The Hollow Places, but this one. . . not so much. I've decided I like this better as a comedy-horror, and maybe even a rom-com.
Comedic elements include the (view spoiler) Very much a comedy.
Alan wrote: "Damini wrote: "As for the pronouns, it's not the concept of gender non-conforming terms that I have an issue with, it's the number of them. However, I just took a picture of the explanation bit, wh..."I agree, so far it hasn't really seemed relevant to the story whatsoever.
Krystal wrote: "Alan wrote: "Damini wrote: "As for the pronouns, it's not the concept of gender non-conforming terms that I have an issue with, it's the number of them. However, I just took a picture of the explan..."
I was feeling that way too until I saw the comments in this thread heh
Adriennelee wrote: "Damini wrote: "As for the pronouns, it's not the concept of gender non-conforming terms that I have an issue with, it's the number of them. However, I just took a picture of the explanation bit, wh..."It is SO confusing. In fact, I spotted an erroneous usage somewhere, which is incredibly ironic.
IMO I like when authors take risks with how they convey narrative and themes. Makes for something different than what is typical and I appreciate that. It’s not always guaranteed it will land and I think in this case Kingfisher probably could have done a few lines in explanation instead of introducing the pronouns but I didn’t mind it. There are a lot of horror stories that seem so thin and the context she added was interesting to me personally. I think the use of pronouns just added to the cultural aspect of the area/characters which tied in nicely with themes of identity and invasion in the story.
I've just finished. Very subtle with some of spooky parts. I was listening the audiobook while reading and I was impressed by the melody. I decided to start reading all Poe's book which I have on my shelf.
I just finished too. Really loved the second half, when the plot finally picks up.
Netanella wrote: "I'm torn with this book. I loved Kingfisher's The Hollow Places, but this one. . . not so much. I've decided I like this better as a comedy-horror, and maybe even a rom-com.
Comedic elements inc..."
Yes, I'm only about a quarter of the way through right now, but I'm really enjoying the humor! There's a subtle dry sense of humor throughout.
Hey everyone! I plan to start this tonight as I'm excited :-D
LTJ wrote: "Hey everyone! I plan to start this tonight as I'm excited :-D"Hey LTJ! I look forward to hearing what you think. :)
Just finished this book tonight! Really enjoyed the gothic atmosphere! 🖤🍄 This was my first group read.
@Theresa: Thank you, my friend!
Just finished yesterday, and overall I wasn't too enthusiastic over it. I'm always a little cautious when it comes to "a new spin on an old tale" - but I was willing to go with the direction the author laid out. It was a quick, easy read and there were several segments I thought well-written and enjoyable; however, it was so highly predictable within the first few chapters where this story would go and that lack of suspense and surprise really lulled my sense of enjoyment and overall opinion of it.
the description of the way those Red Hill Mushrooms smell makes them sound absolutely F*cking delicious. wonder jow they would taste stuffed with Spinach, fire roasted tomatoes, and feta cheese
*Red Hill Mushrooms,( stupid autocorrect)
Cujo wrote: "*Red Hill Mushrooms,( stupid autocorrect)"hahaha. I believe autocorrect got you again. We can only hope the spinach, tomatoes and feta would improve them.
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Oh my goodness, so many thoughts on this one. I'm actually frustrated with T. Kingfisher about it because I love this author, and I think What Moves The Dead could have been written better. One of the things I love about this author is their voice. I feel like that was totally lost in this story for the sake of the "Writing Style". I wish the story had been brought to more current times in terms of style. I felt like they were trying so hard to make the story feel like Poe's work they lost themselves and created something that, in my opinion, still can't quite compare to the original.
I did end up liking the second half much better than the first, but it was still hard to really care about the characters because I didn't feel much of a connection to any of them. I even had a hard time remembering who was who throughout. These are things that normally aren't lacking in Kingfisher's books. And yet again, I think it was because of the choice of writing style.
Lastly, not to beat a dead horse, but I'm going to bring up the pronouns again. By the time I got to the end, I actually understood why so many pronouns were used. I ACTUALLY liked the idea of this and thought it was clever. But, again, I don't feel like it was executed as well as it could have been. It did come off as a little preachy and forced at first mention, at least to me. I personally don't like this feeling in a speculative fiction book, regardless of if I view the world the same as the author or not.
Gah! So frustrating. OK. Rant over. For now...
Netanella wrote: "I'm torn with this book. I loved Kingfisher's The Hollow Places, but this one. . . not so much. I've decided I like this better as a comedy-horror, and maybe even a rom-com.
Comedic elements inc..."
If you liked The Hollow Places you might enjoy The Twisted Ones as well. I much preferred that to this one.
Pat of Rocks wrote: "Just finished yesterday, and overall I wasn't too enthusiastic over it. I'm always a little cautious when it comes to "a new spin on an old tale" - but I was willing to go with the direction the au..."Yes, predictability was another issue I found with this one. Right from the get-go, I felt it was obvious where things were going. That being said, I didn't mind this new twist to the story, if only it had been written differently.
A little late to the party but I am just starting this one!
I finished last night and I enjoyed this book from start to finish. The characters kept me engaged through the first part while the world was being built up. And that world was rich in creepiness! The research she did in fungi was evident as well. In the author's note at the end, she states that she set out to answer a few questions about Poe's story. She did a great job with that goal. I'm glad I decided to pick this one up! If several of you like Kingfisher's other books more, I'm going to need to give them a try too! This was my first by her.
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I've decided I like this better as a comedy-horror, and maybe even a rom-com.
Co..."
Loved both of these!
I'm a little under 75% thru it and thus far I like it. just having a hard time with these crazy pro nouns and possessed hares.
Ophelia wrote: "I'd like to take the rest of the week off work to read!"Same here. still debating whether we'll pick up this book.
But seeing y'alls writing about pronouns makes me want to pick it up more!!! lmao
Honestly, the pronouns are just “ka” and “kan.” I didn’t find it jarring at all and it was explained. A lot of people might find it unnecessary, but I don’t mind interesting things that add to a character’s development, even if it’s unrelated to the plot at large. The only actual thing that I did find confusing was Beatrix Potter showing up with literally all of the answers.
I didn't mind the pronouns. The va/van at the end confused me for a moment because it wasn't heavily used throughout. This was a 4/5 read for me and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I wasn't sure how I would feel about a retelling of one of my favorite Poe stories.
Trista wrote: "The only actual thing that I did find confusing was Beatrix Potter showing up with literally all of the answers."Beatrix Potter threw me just a bit as well. But I figure this is a fictional world with mad hares. Why wouldn't she be there ... studying mushrooms? 😅
I'm in agreement that the pronouns didn't bother me. If I tried to use them, I'd probably mess them up! But reading them didn't pull me out of the story at all.
