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angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
5.0
Kind of blown away by this one. The movie has a bit of a cult following and there are certainly some iconic moments related to the film, but I’ve never seen it. Just a few short clips here and there and frankly the movie seemed borderline corny. But I would highly recommend this book. Tension and suspense throughout. Much scarier than any recent Stephen King I’ve read because this story is grounded in reality. Excellent characterization and insight into the mind of a human being just trying to survive. Just awesome. I’ll admit I’ve had it on my shelf for about a decade and I almost want to just read it again.
labunnywtf's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book rather boring, tell the truth. The writing is decent, I'll give him that, but the survivalist part is really just...I kind of dazed my way through it.
I like survival stories, but other than the obvious, this really wasn't a survival story. They were in the woods for two days. They didn't have to worry about food, or clean water. Yes, the idea of these guys up somewhere possibly trying to kill them off was extreme, but even that brought up less than lukewarm anticipation.
I can think of a few ways this could've grabbed my attention more. It makes me rather sad that I didn't like it.
I like survival stories, but other than the obvious, this really wasn't a survival story. They were in the woods for two days. They didn't have to worry about food, or clean water. Yes, the idea of these guys up somewhere possibly trying to kill them off was extreme, but even that brought up less than lukewarm anticipation.
I can think of a few ways this could've grabbed my attention more. It makes me rather sad that I didn't like it.
amandak87's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
jameshousworth's review against another edition
4.0
Dang, that was INTENSE! It’s like this book was made for me: the author combines suspense/thriller with wilderness survival/adventure (two of my favorite genres) into this canoe-trip-gone-very-wrong.
I like reading Outside Magazine, one because I like hiking and camping, but primarily because I find it fascinating and hilarious to read non-ironic articles like, “How to Plan for Multi-Day Backpacking with Your Newborn,” “30 Marathons in 30 Days,” and “How Far Can You Ski in 24 Hours?” Who the heck are these insane human beings who live this way??
Anyway, one of the characters in the book, Lewis, is like all those inhumanly active Outside Magazine people, their positives and their negatives, combined into one man. And he was very entertaining. Combine him with the main character, an aspiring outdoor addict who is never quite able to live up to Lewis’ prowess, and two other average joes who got roped into the whole thing, and you’ve got a hilariously believable group of middle-aged men all trying to overcome their midlife crises in different ways, which added a lot to the story.
So all in all 4.5 stars for me. There is a fair amount of gruesome violence, some of it sexual, so be forewarned.
I like reading Outside Magazine, one because I like hiking and camping, but primarily because I find it fascinating and hilarious to read non-ironic articles like, “How to Plan for Multi-Day Backpacking with Your Newborn,” “30 Marathons in 30 Days,” and “How Far Can You Ski in 24 Hours?” Who the heck are these insane human beings who live this way??
Anyway, one of the characters in the book, Lewis, is like all those inhumanly active Outside Magazine people, their positives and their negatives, combined into one man. And he was very entertaining. Combine him with the main character, an aspiring outdoor addict who is never quite able to live up to Lewis’ prowess, and two other average joes who got roped into the whole thing, and you’ve got a hilariously believable group of middle-aged men all trying to overcome their midlife crises in different ways, which added a lot to the story.
So all in all 4.5 stars for me. There is a fair amount of gruesome violence, some of it sexual, so be forewarned.
mbrandmaier's review against another edition
5.0
Read this after watching the disturbing movie and realizing it was based on a book, the book is very hard to put down. Very well written.
voicenextdoor's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Classism, Murder, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Vomit, Death, and Sexism
qingyigeshu's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
infinispace's review against another edition
4.0
A story about a lifeless and meek man (Ed) who revels in the violence and pain, coming out stronger on the other end. A story about a larger than life man (Lewis) who's wings are clipped and brought back to Earth. A story about an everyman (Bobby) who suffers a humiliation worthy of murder. And a story about a righteous man (Drew) who pays the ultimate price for all their sins.
A story about survival before survival stories were a thing.
Deliverance.
A story about survival before survival stories were a thing.
Deliverance.
trayceebee's review against another edition
4.0
I saw parts of this movie many years ago, and I found it troublesome. I believe, now, that I didn't even see the movie in its entirety....
Upon listening to Burt Reynolds' memoir ("But Enough About Me"), I decided I'd like to watch it again sometime... before that, I decided to read the book. (Reynolds said he had read it before being asked to play Lewis--I thought that was interesting, and I realized the actual story must be pretty good.)
I'm so glad I picked this book up! I really enjoyed the writing itself, and as is typical for me, I was able to read the difficult scenes much more easily than I'm able to watch them. This story is beautifully written--many of the things Dickey's character, Ed, says or thinks are things I could easily see myself saying or thinking. I especially appreciated that the story came from his point of view, rather than Lewis', who I'd initially believed to be the protagonist of the story. In reality, it's Ed's story, and that makes it so much better! I was really able to identify with Ed and his struggles, his fears, and his successes!
Upon listening to Burt Reynolds' memoir ("But Enough About Me"), I decided I'd like to watch it again sometime... before that, I decided to read the book. (Reynolds said he had read it before being asked to play Lewis--I thought that was interesting, and I realized the actual story must be pretty good.)
I'm so glad I picked this book up! I really enjoyed the writing itself, and as is typical for me, I was able to read the difficult scenes much more easily than I'm able to watch them. This story is beautifully written--many of the things Dickey's character, Ed, says or thinks are things I could easily see myself saying or thinking. I especially appreciated that the story came from his point of view, rather than Lewis', who I'd initially believed to be the protagonist of the story. In reality, it's Ed's story, and that makes it so much better! I was really able to identify with Ed and his struggles, his fears, and his successes!
coolcatbookreader's review against another edition
5.0
I have had this book on my TBR list for years. I should have read it sooner. It was scary, tragic and yet beautiful.