Mr Shivers

This was o.k, far from great.The story revolves around a group of disparate and desperate individuals who band together to chase 'Mr Shivers' across 1930's dustbowl America to avenge those who he has murdered.There are positive aspects to this book: firstly, the author has created what I feel would have been an accurate snapshot of the time and place; desperation, unemployment, drought, lawlessness and hard people. The book also reminded me of the Gunslinger and Of Mice and Men (as others have mentioned) and while it's inferior to both, at least the author attempted to convey a cautionary tale which is pretty well explained and illustrated; I found the ending satisfying.However, even though the book is short - just over 300 pages- it's very boring and repetitive at times. There's a fair amount of characters but none (and I mean none) have any depth, show any growth or are at all likeable. Terrible things have apparently happened to them but it was difficult to feel any empathy for them. Each character was simply an interchangeable mouthpiece and used to respond to or ask questions of the dour and dull (and horrible) main Character Connelly.That said, there was something about the writing that made me feel this author might improve over time so I'll give him another chance.5/10

I read this having just finished 'The Troupe' , which I thought was wonderful. This came as a disappointment. I understand the dreadful conditions that people had to withstand during the depression and it's relevance as the backbone of this book, but I really felt the author overplayed it. It became repetitive and tedious - a bit like the literary version of wading through treacle.

I bought this book after seeing it on a list of must read horror novels very disappointing pretty slow and saw the end about just over half way through it.

Having read the quite brilliant City of Stairs I have been working through Roberts back catalogue.I enjoyed this one and it's well written but it feels hugely...predictable.Still, one for Bennett completists.

Everything that I expected 👍

Bought this for my daughter who is big fan of Stephen King. She kindly let me read it after her. An author to keep an eye out for.

really enjoyed this, similar to early Dean Koontz in my opinion - not a bad thing at all. Will be purchasing the rest of his work.

classic