My Goodreads review: Bird Box

[ankh_hpl]

Bird Box by Josh Malerman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


[Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the author during Bram Stoker Awards season.]

It’s hard to categorize this one: dark thriller? Post-apocalypse dystopia? Cosmic horror? Whatever Josh Malerman has created, it’s a well-crafted thrill ride – though a bit of a slow burn. If you’re looking for in-your-face horror right out of the (bird) box, this is probably not your cup of Darjeeling.

Those with more patience will appreciate the nonlinear storytelling style, the effective building of atmosphere, and the spare yet lyrical prose. The central idea is something I’ve not seen elsewhere, though explaining much about how this world came apart would involve spoilers. The young female protagonist is refreshingly believable – neither victim nor avenger – and her efforts to get herself plus two small children to some possible sanctuary held my attention throughout the narrative’s multiple flips between past and present.

I did find the journey more compelling than the eventual destination, though that’s probably personal taste. There is also the matter of Bad Things Happening to Dogs. If this is a problem for you (as it is for me), be warned. The incidents aren’t gratuitous, but they’re there.

All in all, I’d recommend this for those who like their scares on the literary side. It’s a lean, mean, creepy little read.





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