nightdog_barks | (Reply)

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Yep! And I think this author (Michael McDowell) did a very good job of bringing to life the unrelenting heat of a Southern summer, especially at a beach location (the coastal sand is practically a character in and of itself). The horror aspect is mostly implied at first, but gradually ratchets up to the inevitable point of OMG CREEPING ABOMINATION TRYING TO EAT ME. :D

The only quibble I had with the book was the portrayal of a father/daughter relationship -- the dad is a young single dad and the daughter is thirteen years old, and we know from the story that in the past he's given her at least one kind of drug ("downers"), and, in the present, allowed her to drink (sherry and scotch). Now, I know this novel was published in 1981, and I know this family is supposed to be a Southern Gothic family, but every time the daughter (her name is India) mentioned drugs or took a drink it pulled me out of the book. And maybe the reader is supposed to raise an eyebrow at this activity! Maybe it's part of "LOOK AT THIS WEIRD FAMILY!" I don't know. I do know at least two reviewers on Goodreads also noticed it enough to mention it.

ANYWAY AS I SAID. I would recommend it -- I think it's creepy and scary, with vivid characters and setting. I think you'd probably like it. :D