Kimberly's Reviews > The Elementals
The Elementals
by
by
Kimberly's review
bookshelves: favorites, classics, group-read, supernatural, atmospheric, re-read, gothic-style, pages-read-challenge, wow
May 27, 2014
bookshelves: favorites, classics, group-read, supernatural, atmospheric, re-read, gothic-style, pages-read-challenge, wow
Read 4 times. Last read April 12, 2018 to April 13, 2018.
SOLID 5 STARS!
Honestly, I think I'd have a difficult time finding a better example of a "quiet horror" book that delivers genuine chills! The southern atmosphere and isolation of the vacation houses of the two main families couldn't have been in a better location. With nothing except the shifting sands and surf for company, the scene here was set perfectly for a horror so unsettling, that even I couldn't predict what would happen next!
If you're looking for a gore/torture fest, you won't find it in these pages. What you will find is a creeping horror that inexplicably grabs ahold of your imagination from the very beginning. There are no "definite" answers here, either....which is something that actually ADDS to the fear factor tremendously. This is one story that I can see re-reading every few years, just to bring back that sense of utter foreboding that I got from it.
Highly recommended to fans of "quiet horror"!
*Re-read April 2016--If possible, I enjoyed the second read of this even more than the first! Not only will this book remain on my "Favorites" shelf, but it ranks in the top ten books I've read so far, period. The atmosphere--unspoiled by "knowing too much" reminded me much of the feeling I get when reading Algernon Blackwood's "The Willows". This is a perfect example of horror at its best, in my opinion.*
**Re-read April 2018--Obviously one of my favorite books, EVER! I still feel this is atmospheric horror, at its absolute best. **
Honestly, I think I'd have a difficult time finding a better example of a "quiet horror" book that delivers genuine chills! The southern atmosphere and isolation of the vacation houses of the two main families couldn't have been in a better location. With nothing except the shifting sands and surf for company, the scene here was set perfectly for a horror so unsettling, that even I couldn't predict what would happen next!
If you're looking for a gore/torture fest, you won't find it in these pages. What you will find is a creeping horror that inexplicably grabs ahold of your imagination from the very beginning. There are no "definite" answers here, either....which is something that actually ADDS to the fear factor tremendously. This is one story that I can see re-reading every few years, just to bring back that sense of utter foreboding that I got from it.
Highly recommended to fans of "quiet horror"!
*Re-read April 2016--If possible, I enjoyed the second read of this even more than the first! Not only will this book remain on my "Favorites" shelf, but it ranks in the top ten books I've read so far, period. The atmosphere--unspoiled by "knowing too much" reminded me much of the feeling I get when reading Algernon Blackwood's "The Willows". This is a perfect example of horror at its best, in my opinion.*
**Re-read April 2018--Obviously one of my favorite books, EVER! I still feel this is atmospheric horror, at its absolute best. **
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Quotes Kimberly Liked
Reading Progress
Finished Reading
May 27, 2014
– Shelved as:
to-read
May 27, 2014
– Shelved
October 2, 2014
–
Started Reading
October 4, 2014
–
21.0%
October 5, 2014
–
35.0%
October 6, 2014
–
48.0%
October 6, 2014
–
80.0%
June 5, 2015
– Shelved as:
favorites
April 4, 2016
– Shelved as:
classics
April 4, 2016
– Shelved as:
group-read
April 4, 2016
– Shelved as:
supernatural
April 4, 2016
– Shelved as:
atmospheric
April 12, 2016
–
52.43%
"The only story I can come up with that comes close to THE ELEMENTALS in terms of unsettling atmospheric tension is Algernon Blackwood's The Willows."
page
151
April 12, 2016
– Shelved as:
re-read
April 12, 2016
– Shelved as:
gothic-style
April 12, 2016
–
Finished Reading
April 12, 2018
–
Started Reading
April 12, 2018
– Shelved as:
pages-read-challenge
April 12, 2018
– Shelved as:
wow
April 12, 2018
–
27.43%
"One of my top ten "all-time" favorites. Re-read #3 for HA group read: 4/2108."
page
79
April 13, 2018
–
Finished Reading
August 4, 2021
–
Started Reading
(Paperback Edition)
August 4, 2021
– Shelved
(Paperback Edition)
August 4, 2021
– Shelved as:
group-read
(Paperback Edition)
August 4, 2021
– Shelved as:
favorites
(Paperback Edition)
August 4, 2021
– Shelved as:
re-read
(Paperback Edition)
August 6, 2021
–
Finished Reading
(Paperback Edition)
Comments Showing 1-24 of 24 (24 new)
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Char
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rated it 5 stars
07 oct. 2014 21:08
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Loved it!
I can never remember the spoiler tags on GR...so I just deleted my earlier comment and will post on the buddy read site. :)
This is now one of my favorite books.
This is now one of my favorite books."
So glad everyone seems to be enjoying this one!!! :D
And mine, Kim! I definitely need to get on and read some more Michael McDowell! ;)
Jaksen, Have you read the "short story" The Willows, by Algernon Blackwood?
LOL! I think it's more a "supernatural" angle here....
I hope you love it! :D
LOVE his work--especially the Oxrun stories. I still have some to get to yet.... :)