The Terror: A Novel
by Dan Simmons
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Book Reviews of The Terror: A Novel
Book Review: Very Good - Then Very Bad
Summary: 2 Stars
I really don't think this book needs another review, but I thought I would add in my two cents. Frankly, I did not find the book ponderous or overly lengthy. It is a good page turner and a good read, as long as you understand it is historically unreal. What dropped this from perhaps a 4-star read down to 2-stars is the fact that about 3/4 of the way through the book it simply becomes ridiculous, almost silly. I could not understand what the author was doing. He had a compelling survival-in-the-arctic story running, and then blows it with some absurd hoodoo-voodoo romance silly monster nonsense. It was almost like he decided in mid-stream to change the type of novel he was writing. Truly bizarre and very unsatisfying.Book Review: Surprisingly Good.
Summary: 4 Stars
This novel was a real surprise. The careful historical and imaginative recreation of the lost arctic expedition is very realistic and compelling. The monster is not overexposed in the narrative, so Simmons manages to keep the suspense and interest level up for a very long time, almost the entire novel. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it kept me up at night. And despite this fact, which might make you think the book is a guilty pleasure, the book is actually so real and substantial in its rendering of historical detail and in its representation of human beings, that you actually feel like it's more than just an entertaining book: you feel like it's a good, serious, thought-provoking novel!!!
Book Review: Long, but great.
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was based on the true facts of the Franklin expedition. The story of the expedition itself was an interesting and amazing story which inspired me to pursue more non-fiction books on the subject. In the beginning adding the creature was an exciting element to the story, but as the story went on I gained more interest in the toils and labours of the real life expedition itself rather than the monster who showed up here and there to screw things up. The book became overdescriptive in certain areas and from time to time dragged on, but I loved it and would recommend it to anyone seeking an interesting novel in which imagination is what its all about.Book Review: Excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
A wonderfully suspenseful book overall, with the only flaw being length -- it seems to drag at some points, but then Simmons is writing about sailors who spent years trapped in arctic ice, so perhaps that dragging helps set the mood for the reader. Without engaging in spoilers, I was particularly pleased with the finish, with Simmons managing to maintain dread and horror by only giving a partial sort of reveal to his monster, never fully explaining it (and, in so doing, rendering it less fearful or perplexing). The only other downside I have found to the book is that it is a gateway drug of sorts to non-fiction accounts of the Franklin expedition.Book Review: Strong 5 stars - Terrific!
Summary: 5 Stars
With so many reviews already, I hesitated to add mine. But I so strongly loved this book, I had to write. Simmons is an unpredictable author when it comes to subject matter, but he is excellent at virtually everything he tackles. I read this book in a week. As long as it is, it coasted by quickly, and I just didn't tire of it at any point. The characters are well drawn and each is interesting, whether they are likeable or not. The writing is mesmerizing at times, and the descriptions of the conditions are perfect. It is so real sometimes, and mysterious at other times. I found no flaws, and was sorry when it was over. Tremendous work!