Idk, I got recommended this book on Reddit with several users telling me that it's the scariest book they ever read. But after 200 pages in, the only scary thing out there is my wasted time. Not even a single time I got spooks. The plot almost feels nonexistent, there is almost no dialogue, and Truant's random sexual encounters are so annoying. Is there actual meaning when the author lists like 20 pages of some names, places, or objects? Is there any meaning behind countless references to fictional books? I do feel like I wasted my money and time on this as the book was kinda expensive. Should I continue if it gets better?
by JovaniFelini
5 Comments
Even if you think taste is subjective, it isn’t *this* subjective.
i spent the time to finish this one and i don’t necessarily regret it, but i can’t for the life of me understand why people rave so much about this book.
it’s definitely a unique book and i’ve never read another like it. scariest book ever? not even close.
Personally, it’s one of my favourite books, but I’m also utterly unsurprised whenever someone doesn’t like it. You’ve sort of got to give yourself over to the madness.
It’s one of those books I think you’ll either love or hate. Reading the book itself, physically, is intended to be part of the journey, into the descent into the mind – this doesn’t always work for every reader (nor should it!)
If you don’t like it after 200 pages I think you’re unlikely to enjoy it more as you go on.
FWIW it’s one of my favorite books, but the thing I like about it is also why I only recommend it to certain people. I think you need a certain mindset and approach to really buy in and enjoy it and if you don’t have that, it’s nothing against you, but the book doesn’t really do much to grab your attention.
As someone who considers HoL my favorite book, it isn’t for everyone. A lot of it is nonsense, but enough of it is interconnected to be fascinating.