The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Girl Next Door
Book Review: A Churning Tale
Summary: 4 Stars
I was searching through Amazon's discussion boards and found "The Most Disturbing Novel You've Ever Read," and time and time again _The Girl Next Door_ was mentioned....so naturally I had to check it out. The reviews intrigued me...even the one stars said it was amazing writing, but way too graphic for their taste while the fives declared it a masterpiece. I guess I fall somewhere in the middle of the pack.
I'll be honest, the actual writing isn't filled with horror because, be honestly, we've all read more graphic scenes...it is what goes on in your mind afterwards. As I read, I flipped page by page just in awe of the progression of physical and emotional abuse, and how easily the children of the neighborhood were "sucked in" to be accomplices. Some other reviewers mentioned that this was unbelievable, but working with children of all ages, I know how easy it is for them to be sucked in and persuaded to do unimaginable acts by their friends, let alone an adult (and in the time period of the book, children actually followed blindlessly and trusted that an adult's word was golden and true).
Once I finished the novel, I sat there and thought about why people would say this was the "most disturbing novel," and I finally realized it. Because this is true horror. Not some run of the mill fantasy horror, but horror that actually exists. This really could be the girl next door to all of us, and we don't even know it. That is the most horrific thing of all.
Book Review: A emotionally tough read
Summary: 5 Stars
While I won't rehash the whole plot line as that has already been done, I will say that this is a brutal haunting story based on a true crime, and Ketchum's writing will make you squirm while you read it. It is certainly not for the faint of heart, nor should it be considering the storyline. When reading about something this brutal and ugly and that really happened, a good author should put you there in that world with the characters and Ketchum does that effectively enough that you are conflicted between wanting to read the whole book in a sitting, while at the same time really wanting put the book down so you don't have to find out what horrifying thing is happening next. Considering a real human being suffered these things, it SHOULD make readers feel traumatized and if an author can't accomplish this then he has not done the story justice. This book fortunately (or unfortunately depending on your perspective) accomplishes this and by the end of the book leaves the reader feeling emotionally spent and traumatized. As a mother of daughters, in particular, I had a very hard time reading this, and even though I read this a couple years ago the story still haunts me. Crimes against children are always a tough read. It also is an interesting perspective on the ugly side of human nature and the power of peer pressure within a group. This is probably Ketchum's best novel, so if you are trying him out for the first time this is good place to start, but be forewarned it is not an uplifting tale, but instead an ugly look into the brutal sides of human nature.Book Review: Addictive and disturbing
Summary: 5 Stars
This was my second novel by Jack Ketchum, having enjoyed Off Season very much, This book, although very different to Off Season, is also brilliantly written and very difficult to put down. The Girl Next Door is loosely based on the true story of Sylvia Likins who was horrifically abused by her Aunt and cousins in the 1960's. [...] is a link if you want to read about the true story.
The protagonist of the novel is actual David a neighbourhood kid, not Meg herself (Sylvia's name is Meg in the book, the names and places are changed). Meg and Susan move in next door to David with their Aunt Ruth and three cousins after their parents are killed in a car accident. As the summer progresses, Ruths attitude towards takes a rather her neices takes a malicious turn, especially towards Meg who she starves because she thinks she is fat, and harsly criticises her at every opportunity. As Ruths sanity begins to deteriorate, she keeps Meg prisoner in the basement and, along with her sons and several neighbourhood children, submits her to both psychological and physical torture.
David desperaltly wants to help Meg as he loves her, but is too scraed of what might happen to him is he tells.
Very addictive reading and truely harrowing and fast paced once it gets started. This is a truely devestating and disturbing horror novel. All the more disturbing to know that it actually happened to someone, I so wished I could have saved Meg/Sylvia from what happened.
I'd deffinatly recomend this book to horror fans or anybody interested in the story of Sylvia Likins.
Book Review: As satisfying as becoming intimately acquainted with a large group of new friends
Summary: 5 Stars
Eve Gallagher's husband, Ed, comes home with news that he has been promoted. The only catch is that his new position is in New York, which means Eve must say goodbye to her beloved cottage, teaching job and family in Britain. She is determined to make the best of the adventure for her husband's sake and is delighted with their beautiful apartment on New York's Upper East Side. However, as time goes by, Ed is gone more and more. Eve is dreadfully lonely until she befriends Violet Wallace, an elderly resident of the building who also happens to hail from England. Eve has a strategy that is sure to keep her from being lonely, but as the plan unfolds, it doesn't quite turn out the way she had envisioned.
Meanwhile, readers are treated to the fascinating lives being lived behind the closed doors of the apartments in Eve and Ed's building, many of which intertwine. There's Jackson, whose every financial need has been met by his wealthy and indulgent parents. When he becomes smitten by Emily Mikanowski, another neighbor, he is shocked to discover that his surface looks, charm and wealth do not impress her one single bit. When athletic, hard-working Emily discovers that Jackson is not employed and has no ambitions, she informs him that they cannot be a couple. Jackson understands that Emily won't waste time on him, but he is unable to forget her.
While Jackson is dreaming of Emily, Madison, the building sexpot, has her eyes set on him. Madison's good friend is Charlotte, a shy librarian who reads piles of romances while fantasizing secretly about Che, one of the building's doormen. When a chance encounter leads Che and Charlotte into a conversation, Charlotte decides to take steps she hopes will give them a chance at a relationship.
Rachael Schulman seems to have everything anyone could want. She is impossibly gorgeous; adores her husband, David, and their three beautiful children; and enjoys a fulfilling career. But she is about to discover that her life is not quite as flawless as everyone thinks.
One person who admires Rachael inordinately is neighbor Jason Kramer. Jason was happy with his wife Kim until they struggled with infertility issues. When Kim did finally get pregnant after much medical assistance, she also became obsessed with pursuing a perfect motherhood. All she can think of is protecting her little girl, even as she cycles ever downward into a terrible depression. Jason no longer feels as if he is part of a relationship and spends his time fantasizing about Rachael.
Eve's friend Violet enriches Eve's life by accompanying her to various locations and events. As Eve becomes more comfortable with Violet, she also notices that the older woman is reticent and rather mysterious about her life. Upon coaxing, Violet begins telling Eve the story of her life, which unfurls in tantalizing episodes.
Reading THE GIRL NEXT DOOR is as satisfying as becoming intimately acquainted with a large group of new friends. Internationally bestselling author Elizabeth Noble handles a huge cast of characters skillfully, introducing each person and relaying his or her stories in such a way that each is memorable. This is an engrossing, thoroughly enjoyable page-turner, perfect for reading either while curled up in front of a roaring fire or stretched out on a balmy beach.
--- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon (terryms2001@yahoo.com)
Book Review: BURN BEFORE READING- very disappointing
Summary: 1 Stars
For the first ten pages this book seemed to be a promising read; the other 200 or so were a compilation of vile rape and torture scenes. After reading thousands of books over the past twenty years this is by far the worst one I have ever bought. I have never returned a book but this is one that is going back to the bookstore! I was so offended to the core of my being that I believe Jack Ketchum needs to be removed from shelves. This is not a praise of his horror writing abilities. This is a terse statement that he has written smut that should be illegal and is certainly unethical. Please do not read, please do not buy, please spread the word.