Initial Impressions: The Elementals, by Michael McDowell - January 2024

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Comments on this board should be written with the assumption that not all readers have finished the book. Please take care not to reveal information that might lessen other readers’ enjoyment.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

Started today, opening scene grabs the readers attention. I’m going into this blindly. I know it’s my mod choice but I chose based on so much interest from past polls and it’s supposed to be spooky/gothic so I’m trying to know as little as possible going into it.

[♥ Sandi ❣]

This is the only book I have for this month. I hope to start it by mid month.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

I downloaded the audible to have along with the ebook while I’m traveling and realized the audio did not have the prologue included. I think you can figure out what would be missing but it could be confusing at first.

There’s some good humor in the first two chapters and this reads super easy.

[Dave, "Red Sammy"]

I'm going to start this as soon as I finish The Wild Palms, hopefully next week.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

This book keeps the questions rolling. Where’s it going? I’m really liking the pace.

[Carol]

I’m 28% of the way in. Really enjoying this. I keep having images in my head of old Hitchcock movies/series….Very colorful characters. Can’t wait to see where this one goes!

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

I like the Odessa and India alliance if you want to call it that.

[Sue]

I’m 20% in as they have just arrived at Beldane. The descriptive writing is great and creates such a sense of place. I’m glad to finally be reading this after having heard about it for a while.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

The details are perfect. Not overly done to make it feel too weighty.

[Sam]

I like the location. From the real estate agent's lips-- Location! Location! Location! This has been a nice change of pace from some of my more demanding reading.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

Weird starting January with a “ghost” tale but I’ve enjoyed it.

[Sue]

I’m enjoying the rather leisurely pace of this one. It moves at the pace of one of Beldame’s hot days but then something weird happens. And , yes, a wonderful change of pace from the heavier books I have been reading in spite of how good those may be.

[Dave, "Red Sammy"]

I got to the end of part1. Very good. There are some great characters, the coolest (by far) is Odessa. I have a feeling that things are about to take off in part 2.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

Finished a few minutes ago so moving to the final thoughts section.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

Love all the main characters but particularity Odessa. Each character adds something unique to make up the family.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

I'm glad that you all enjoyed this book. I'm a big fan of McDowell, who Stephen King called “the finest writer of paperback originals in America”. If you'd like to read more by him, I suggest my favorite book of his. Blackwater: The Complete Caskey Family Saga is a quintessential work of Southern Gothic horror that is an absolute delight to read. Even though the page count qualifies it as a creditable doorstop, it reads very quickly. I was surprised and saddened to discover how quickly I got to the end of it.

[Sue]

Thanks for the recommendation. I will look for it.