"Criterion’s comprehensive edition of this long-undervalued film is a major DVD event, though it may not enlarge the film’s fan base. The problems, beyond a few incomprehensible plot points, include a dreadful lead performance by Nixon look-alike Robert Arden, who is surrounded by terrific actors in the margins (Akim Tamiroff, Michael Redgrave, Mischa Auer, Katina Paxinou), plus gorgeous Paola Mori; the result feels a bit like Hamlet without Hamlet. Then there is Welles’s wig and beard, evidently borrowed from a junior high school performance of Faust. Never mind: there are many, many unforgettable moments, and the plot is so good—detective as inadvertent Judas goat—that a fine, conventional film could still be made from the same material. Criterion includes the surprisingly good novel, which Welles variously took and denied credit for. In my hearing, he took credit."

"I'm gonna be a good Adam and come back to review this over the weekend 'cause seriously, I was WOW'ed. This book is now on my favorites shelf. Why I put the book off this long was beyond me. I highlighted the hell out of this book to the point where my highlighter was drying out. For those who know me, you know I'm rather inhuman. I rarely cry in real life and have never cried over a book. I came close with a devastating scene in "Mockingjay", a super devastating scene in "Okay for Now", and the ending of "A Monster Calls". "Where Things Come Back" has been added to my Almost-Cried-Man-Tears List (which I think I might make a shelf for...) Hell yeah, John Corey Whaley! Big cheers to the next John Green, folks!"