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3.35 AVERAGE
3.35 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Miserable. True or not, it was painfully dull and tedious at points.
I can see where it would have been scary and satisfying to the overly-zealous Christian Satanic Panic-ed readers when it was published, but considering the Lutz children have almost all said this story was entirely fabricated by their father I feel like it was overall boring and dramatic.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Dark, tense, and hair-raising.
I picked up this book knowing it popularized a lot of tropes in the horror genre, specifically when it comes to hauntings and demonic activity; when reading it, I acknowledged there was going to be a sense of predictability with its themes and plot points because it's had 50 years of impact before I personally have read it. You will get more enjoyment from this book if you just accept the fact you'll likely know the story beats ahead of time.
It can be a little slow moving at times, which in some ways can really build tension and suspension, and in other ways can make things feel just a touch dragged out. However, I also understand this is intended to be viewed as a 'true story', and I think the normalcy of the majority of the book can really help bring it into reality. If there were more action or wild experiences, it may become too fantastical to be believable. It is a fine line to walk, and I think this story achieves it well.
The truly terrifying scenes are sprinkled throughout the chapters, surrounded by tense chapters that build up suspense. I do wish there was a bit more 'scare-factor' in the story, however again, this story has been around for 50 years and thus the predictability can impact your experience with how scared you feel. I found the story much more enjoyable when I read slowly and really took my time to envision the scenes, the characters, and their feelings. This is not a book you rush through or read quickly; it is not action-packed or fast-paced. Take your time to imagine these things happening in your own home and you will find more fear building inside you.
I do appreciate the way the experiences with the family and the priest are juggled, and the way their uncomfortable experiences are played out independently alongside each other, occasionally verging together when they are in contact with each other.
The pig demon, Jodie, has some strikingly terrific scenes and certainly was the entity that left me the most uncomfortable after I set the book down each night. Missy's drawing featured towards the end of the book added another element of discomfort as it provides such a raw visual representation of the being that has been tormenting the family, and gives a lot of fuel for your own imagination.
The red room was also a favorite concept of mine; nothing particularly exciting happens with the room, but the rather mundane situations surrounding it left me feeling so uneasy. In some ways, it was the most uneventful room in the home, yet it still left quite an impact on me.
The night the family experienced before finally leaving the home was another scene I found myself captivated by; I believe it is the most fast-paced scene of the book, and a wonderful denouement to all the tension that had been building up from the prior chapters. There is always something that truly unnerves me when it comes to spirits that directly and overtly present themselves and acknowledge you.
The green goo, one of the more iconic aspects of the story, is both a little silly and a little unnerving. When reading it alongside the more intense experiences, it can seem so trivial. However, taking a moment to imagine something inexplicable such as this occuring in my own home, the mysterious substance can be quite chilling and uncomfortable. Jello on the walls seems like a ridiculous point in a horror story, but when you imagine it from a perspective where there is no known source or explanation, the horror element does come forward.
I really want to emphasize that this is a book best read slowly and purposefully, with a very empathetic point of view. When I found myself starting to rush through the book and read quickly, my horror diminished and it did not have the same effect. But when I read it with a full imagination, the terror really came to life.
Again, the elements of this story has had many decades to become popularized and played out, so many modern readers may not find much thrill if they are looking for something unique or out of the norm. Personally, I think the story still holds up well on its own and I found myself laying in bed many times replaying the scenes in my mind as I tried to fall asleep.
I picked up this book knowing it popularized a lot of tropes in the horror genre, specifically when it comes to hauntings and demonic activity; when reading it, I acknowledged there was going to be a sense of predictability with its themes and plot points because it's had 50 years of impact before I personally have read it. You will get more enjoyment from this book if you just accept the fact you'll likely know the story beats ahead of time.
It can be a little slow moving at times, which in some ways can really build tension and suspension, and in other ways can make things feel just a touch dragged out. However, I also understand this is intended to be viewed as a 'true story', and I think the normalcy of the majority of the book can really help bring it into reality. If there were more action or wild experiences, it may become too fantastical to be believable. It is a fine line to walk, and I think this story achieves it well.
The truly terrifying scenes are sprinkled throughout the chapters, surrounded by tense chapters that build up suspense. I do wish there was a bit more 'scare-factor' in the story, however again, this story has been around for 50 years and thus the predictability can impact your experience with how scared you feel. I found the story much more enjoyable when I read slowly and really took my time to envision the scenes, the characters, and their feelings. This is not a book you rush through or read quickly; it is not action-packed or fast-paced. Take your time to imagine these things happening in your own home and you will find more fear building inside you.
I do appreciate the way the experiences with the family and the priest are juggled, and the way their uncomfortable experiences are played out independently alongside each other, occasionally verging together when they are in contact with each other.
The pig demon, Jodie, has some strikingly terrific scenes and certainly was the entity that left me the most uncomfortable after I set the book down each night. Missy's drawing featured towards the end of the book added another element of discomfort as it provides such a raw visual representation of the being that has been tormenting the family, and gives a lot of fuel for your own imagination.
The red room was also a favorite concept of mine; nothing particularly exciting happens with the room, but the rather mundane situations surrounding it left me feeling so uneasy. In some ways, it was the most uneventful room in the home, yet it still left quite an impact on me.
The night the family experienced before finally leaving the home was another scene I found myself captivated by; I believe it is the most fast-paced scene of the book, and a wonderful denouement to all the tension that had been building up from the prior chapters. There is always something that truly unnerves me when it comes to spirits that directly and overtly present themselves and acknowledge you.
The green goo, one of the more iconic aspects of the story, is both a little silly and a little unnerving. When reading it alongside the more intense experiences, it can seem so trivial. However, taking a moment to imagine something inexplicable such as this occuring in my own home, the mysterious substance can be quite chilling and uncomfortable. Jello on the walls seems like a ridiculous point in a horror story, but when you imagine it from a perspective where there is no known source or explanation, the horror element does come forward.
I really want to emphasize that this is a book best read slowly and purposefully, with a very empathetic point of view. When I found myself starting to rush through the book and read quickly, my horror diminished and it did not have the same effect. But when I read it with a full imagination, the terror really came to life.
Again, the elements of this story has had many decades to become popularized and played out, so many modern readers may not find much thrill if they are looking for something unique or out of the norm. Personally, I think the story still holds up well on its own and I found myself laying in bed many times replaying the scenes in my mind as I tried to fall asleep.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body horror, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Physical abuse, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Highly recommend, was a fun read (especially for someone who reads ZERO nonfiction). High appreciation for the dog not dying.
Very interesting read. I know that most of it was made up, but still it’s interesting. Also thought they made a good choice in picking the Warrens to study the house. I haven’t read much about the actual house, may have to do some research.
good audiobook but nothing that fucked up happened I fear the fact that it's real story does it tho
This book was creepy! The only reason I rated it 3 stars is because it felt like the story dragged on a lot. I thought it was creepy that Missy was able to see and talk to Jodie, as I’m always fascinated by how littles can sometimes see and communicate with spirits. I think that’s why she was my favorite character. Overall, I really enjoyed this one!
I say amazing not because the writing is artful but because it is engrossing. I managed all 300 pages in a day and will certainly have trouble sleeping tonight.
I don't believe the Lutz family for a second, but this book was still fun to listen to. I wish it would have gone more into the history of the Defeo murders though.