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

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Comments on this board are made with the assumption that readers have finished the book and may include spoilers.

[Lexy]

Once I picked this up I couldn’t put it down but the ending left me empty. Not sure empty is the correct word, just the only one I can come up with at the moment.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

I loved this read. 5 stars from me. I liked the ending but as a reader I thought the death of Lawton was going to be the piece that provided peace. Boy was I wrong. I hated we lost core characters at the end. I also liked the few sentences in the epilogue of why India stayed away from the new twins. It left it open that things were still open to the elementals.

Thank you to trail members who voted for this read time and time again but could not get the majority of votes. It made me aware of the book and showed there was interest. Reading would have been great in October but I loved it for a January read bc it started my reading experience strong for the new year.

[Sue]

Laura, I totally agree. I became aware of this book because of past nominations and got a kindle copy. I was so glad to see it listed for January. I enjoyed reading it so much…I think it helped bring me out of a reading slump too.

I liked that the story was paranormal but deeply inside a Southern family novel. The writing was great. I could feel the heat and heaviness of the air…and that was without the creepiness factor. Creepiness embedded in the relatively ordinary is always creepier to me. And I liked Odessa’s description of the Elementals. Not surprised at India’s reaction to the twins. Too bad McDowell died young.

[Dave, "Red Sammy"]

I finished yesterday and thought it was wonderful. The writing was smart, great dialogue and it was really funny in parts. And a bit scary too. I'll definitely be reading more Michael McDowell, good shout Laura!

[Carol]

This started out as a strong 4 star read for me and ended as a 3. Very appropriately described as Southern Gothic Horror. The southern characters were so …. “eclectic and colorfully Southern”. I loved Dauphin and his ending was undeserved but that is the way of horror. The horror aspects of the story weren’t so horrific or suspenseful for me, and mostly unanswered at the end - although another reviewer appropriately points out that horror books/movies typically don’t really have a full explanation. The entire time I was reading, I could envision this as a movie…a black and white Hitchcock type movie. I’m glad I read it - kept my attention and very unique!

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

Do you all think the eye exchange was only by Odessa and India or had Odessa inherited (by way of ingesting) the sight from someone else? Her daughter perhaps

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

I also agree with the element of humor scattered in, that was helpful. Sometimes a kid that’s 13 that takes on the attitude of an adult can get on my nerves but not India. I liked how he presented this child. And you still saw moments of a little girl between her and Big Barbara and Odessa.

[Carol]

I agree with the comments on the elements of humor!

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Sue wrote: "I liked that the story was paranormal but deeply inside a Southern family novel..."

All the more reason you should check out Blackwater: The Complete Caskey Family Saga.