Helpful Score: 17
The Keeper is not run-of-the-mill typical horror. Looking at the reviews here and on Amazon, people seem to either love or hate it. Having just finished the book, I have really mixed feelings but there is no question that it kept my interest to the end.
Susan, a 23 year old girl, is at the center of the horror. Once a pretty young girl, she has become a mentally ill, promiscuous alcholic who silently wanders the streets of the small town of Bedford. People fear and shun her as she invades the dreams of virtually everyone in the town. And then one night she dies ...but soon she returns. And when Susan comes back to town, she brings all the town's nightmares with her.
This is a very literate, intelligent novel. The horror here is equal parts pyschological horror and gory, monster-in-the-dark frights. The author has a beautiful way of saying things that make you pause in the middle of the story just to reread a sentence. The main character of Liz, Susan's sister, was easy to relate to and I liked both her and Bobby, her boyfriend.
On the flip side, I can think of two reasons why I didn't love this book. First, the tone of the book is too dark for me. I think this probably turns off alot of other readers as well. Most of the characters are not likeable and the author does a good job of showing us all their faults and inner demons. Also, the setting itself is depressing. The town of Bedford is dying because the paper mill, its only industry, is shutting down. The mill has poisoned the environment, everyone is depressed, there are no jobs, it is cold and acid rain continually falls.
The other reason I'm not crazy about The Keeper is probably more of a personal irk. I feel like the author was trying to make a political point in this book and it is not one that I particularly agree with. If you read between the lines, it is all about greedy capitalists taking advantage of the downtrodden workers, industry polluting the land and stealing from the people, the rich versus the poor...I hate being hit over the head with someone's political views (particularly liberal ones) when I just want to enjoy a good scary story.
Even with these faults, I think it is a good book and I would recommend it. Some people will enjoy it and others won't. It made me think much more than it made me shiver, but that is generally not what I'm looking for in a horror novel.
Susan, a 23 year old girl, is at the center of the horror. Once a pretty young girl, she has become a mentally ill, promiscuous alcholic who silently wanders the streets of the small town of Bedford. People fear and shun her as she invades the dreams of virtually everyone in the town. And then one night she dies ...but soon she returns. And when Susan comes back to town, she brings all the town's nightmares with her.
This is a very literate, intelligent novel. The horror here is equal parts pyschological horror and gory, monster-in-the-dark frights. The author has a beautiful way of saying things that make you pause in the middle of the story just to reread a sentence. The main character of Liz, Susan's sister, was easy to relate to and I liked both her and Bobby, her boyfriend.
On the flip side, I can think of two reasons why I didn't love this book. First, the tone of the book is too dark for me. I think this probably turns off alot of other readers as well. Most of the characters are not likeable and the author does a good job of showing us all their faults and inner demons. Also, the setting itself is depressing. The town of Bedford is dying because the paper mill, its only industry, is shutting down. The mill has poisoned the environment, everyone is depressed, there are no jobs, it is cold and acid rain continually falls.
The other reason I'm not crazy about The Keeper is probably more of a personal irk. I feel like the author was trying to make a political point in this book and it is not one that I particularly agree with. If you read between the lines, it is all about greedy capitalists taking advantage of the downtrodden workers, industry polluting the land and stealing from the people, the rich versus the poor...I hate being hit over the head with someone's political views (particularly liberal ones) when I just want to enjoy a good scary story.
Even with these faults, I think it is a good book and I would recommend it. Some people will enjoy it and others won't. It made me think much more than it made me shiver, but that is generally not what I'm looking for in a horror novel.
Helpful Score: 4
This is one of the worse books I have ever read. Defnitely way, way, off-the-wall. I can't imagine anyone thinking this book was worth reading. Sorry I spent a credit on it.
Helpful Score: 2
Wooooo. This is a spooky book. Scary. I couldn't put it down.
Helpful Score: 2
This book was definitely different, to say the least. The writing style of the author is unique and sometimes hard to follow. Overall, a good book, but not the best.
Helpful Score: 2
Just finished this -- a great, creepy, horrifying thriller, wonderfully atmospheric with terrific and unforgettable characters! Read in well lit rooms on sunny days -- it is scary!
Helpful Score: 2
VVVVery CCCCreepy
Helpful Score: 2
Nice creepy horror story complete with dreary small town setting and sad young heroine. This is the first book for the author and it doesn't provide many real jump out and scare you surprises, but it does deliver a satisfying read.
Helpful Score: 1
A weird book. It is a true horror mystery. You wonder what the point of this book is.
Helpful Score: 1
this book keeps you interested throughout,lots of suspense
Helpful Score: 1
Story centers on the town of Bedford, Maine. The local paper mill shuts down and gives the town much too much time for thoughts on the local beauty turned whore.
Helpful Score: 1
Very strange, but I liked it.
Helpful Score: 1
Very creepy, almost claustrophobic tone to this town. Reminds me of early works of Stephen King.
Helpful Score: 1
creepy and weird..about a girl that is blamed for the town's troubles
Helpful Score: 1
This was very good. Creepy and scary!
This is the first horror story I've ever read and it was interesting to see how the author put it together. It was a good book and a fairly quick read because there really is no "down time". She keeps it moving throughout the book. It definitely kept my attention and made me feel the characters, so much so that I dreamed about them, which is ironic considering the premise of the story.
Helpful Score: 1
WONDERFUL READ.
Helpful Score: 1
Interesting book, combines elements of a good ghost story with things that go "bump" in the night. The writing style is a bit different, but it works. At first, I wasn't sure I liked the book, but at the same time, I couldn't stop reading. In the end, I really liked it.
Helpful Score: 1
This was an excellant book. It has it all, scary and mysterious.
Helpful Score: 1
This story started out well, but towards the end, got kind of confusing. I was disappointed in it.
Helpful Score: 1
A strange book, definitely in the horror category.
Not really my cuppa, but that's just me.
Not really my cuppa, but that's just me.
Helpful Score: 1
This isn't your mama's horror book. I haven't been this disturbed for a very long time! In fact, after about half way through, I decided I should only read it during daylight hours. I thought it was a fabulous debut novel and look forward to the author's next book, Virus that continues the story.
Helpful Score: 1
This was nothing like I thought it would be. I made it to page 103 before deciding that I didn't care for this genre. I'm too big of a chicken.
Helpful Score: 1
A good first novel. A suspenseful tale about what happens to the local beauty when she turns bad.
Not a big fan of this one. Really hard to get into and follow through to the end.
I'm not sure what to say about this book--I don't think I have read any book quite like this before- I guess you have to read it and decide for yourself.
I really liked the story at first, interesting and compelling,well written but it petered out in the middle, I am in the middle around 200 pages and it has turned into a zombie story, not that convincing. I really don't feel compelled to finish it.
Couldn't make much sense of this book, therefore, I'd say don't bother--I just kept reading and reading and realized it wasn't going anywhere I could see--I didn't really see any 'horror' to it or anything that was mindboggleing so I just gave up.
Some believe Bedford, Maine, is cursed. Its bloody past, endless rain, and the decay of its downtown portend a hopeless future. With the death of its paper mill, Bedfords unemployed residents soon find themselves with far too much time to dwell on thoughts of Susan Marley. Once the local beauty, shes now the local whore. Silently prowling the muddy streets, she watches eerily from the shadows, waiting for something. And haunting the sleep of everyone in town with monstrous visions of violence and horror.
Those who are able will leave Bedford before the darkness full ascends. But those who are trapped here from Susan Marleys long-suffering mother and younger sister to he guilt-ridden, alcoholic ex-lover to the destitute and faithless with nowhere else to go will soon know the fullest and most terrible meaning of nightmare.
Those who are able will leave Bedford before the darkness full ascends. But those who are trapped here from Susan Marleys long-suffering mother and younger sister to he guilt-ridden, alcoholic ex-lover to the destitute and faithless with nowhere else to go will soon know the fullest and most terrible meaning of nightmare.
Some believe Bedford, Maine is cursed. Its bloody past, endless rain and the decay of its downtown portend a hopeless future. With the death of its paper mill, Bedford's unemployed residents soon find themselves with far too much time to dwell on thoughts of Susan Marley. Once the local beauty, she's now the local whore. Silently prowling the muddy streets, she watches eerily from the shadows, waiting for...something. And haunting the sleep of everyone in town with monstrous visions of violence and horror.
Some believe Bedford, Maine is cursed. It's bloody past, endless rain, and the decay of its downtown portend a hopeless future. With the death of its papermill, Bedford's unemployed residents soon find themselves with too much time to dwell on thoughts of Susan Marley. Once the local beauty, she's now the local whore. Silently prowling the muddy streets, she watches eerily from the shadows, waiting for...something. And haunting the sleep of everyone in town with monstrous visions of violence and horror.
Those who are able will leave Bedford before the darkness fully ascends. But those who are trapped here-from Susan Marley's long-suffering mother and younger sister to her guilt-ridden, alcoholic ex-lover to the destitute and faithless with nowhere else to go-will soon know the fullest and most terrible meaning of nightmare.
Those who are able will leave Bedford before the darkness fully ascends. But those who are trapped here-from Susan Marley's long-suffering mother and younger sister to her guilt-ridden, alcoholic ex-lover to the destitute and faithless with nowhere else to go-will soon know the fullest and most terrible meaning of nightmare.
