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Grandfather's House
Grandfather's House
Jon Athan | 2018 | Horror
7
6.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Like VC Andrews with a flamethrower
I enjoyed this book. Although it was a quick read, it was a disturbing one. Like THE ABUSE OF ASHLEY COLLINS, GRANDFATHER'S HOUSE deals with subject of child abuse. The focus, though, is on character rather than out and out violence, and it's a better novel because of it. It felt much more realistic, which gives it a stronger impact.

Our protagonist isn't especially likeable at the beginning of the story, but he's a teenager. Teenagers aren't likeable in the first place. But his grandparents are so disturbing right off the bat that you're immediately behind him. Athan takes the stereotype of the sweet grandparent and flips it on its head. There's a good amount of tension throughout the book from beginning to end--and while this is definitely horrific, I wouldn't classify it as extreme horror because more attention was paid to characterization than ripping people apart. GRANDFATHER'S HOUSE was like a V.C. Andrews book on speed.
  
WTF with Marc Maron Podcast
WTF with Marc Maron Podcast
Comedy
10
8.2 (5 Ratings)
Podcast Rating
Top celebrities and newsmakers telling deeply personal stories mixed with impulsive unedited comedy. (0 more)
His shows end before you're done listening to his stellar guests. (0 more)
He gently squeezes the stories out of celebrities that you won't hear anywhere else!
This is a can't miss podcast for anybody into the genre. His guests include top shelf celebrities from Hollywood and music, not to mention Barack Obama himself! He opens the podcast talking about what's going on in his personal life, including his awesome cats, and proceeds to give a very in depth interview to a notable guest. Even when you've heard this guest on other shows, Marc has a gentle way of coaxing the good stuff out of them. His openness about his substance abuse decades ago and the abuse he suffered as a child has a way of telling his guests that it's ok to come clean to me, I've been through it, too. A deeply personal experience and an absolute thrill to listen to.
  
40x40

Deborah (162 KP) rated The Rival in Books

Dec 21, 2018  
TR
The Rival
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A gripping read, but domestic violence, child abuse, incest, adultery, suicide, abduction, murder.... it did put you through the wringer a bit!

I felt it wasn't wrapped up as well as it could have been - some things left me feeling unsatisfied. A few inconsistencies - for example a character badly sprains or possibly breaks an ankle. This is a hindrance while it needs to be, but a few hours later it seems to be OK again.

If Olivia knew what she knew about her husband all along, I can't see why she didn't use it to her advantage earlier?

Gripping while it lasted, but I don't think I could read it again.