dana_naylor's reviews
474 reviews

I wanted to read the first part that takes place as a pandemic destroys society. I put it down once I got through that part. I think I'm just not interested in the mystic good vs evil battles that will take place in the rest of the book. I read it in the 80s and think I got all I needed from this reread.

Entertaining. Good sense of dread building to horror.

Note that the print book is missing the entry from Sept 10.

I read the substack emails and then followed along with the print copy and enjoyed the marginal snarky commentary and art.

I had gotten through about 2/3 of Dracula in the original format (annotated book) and just couldn't get past the point where I put it down. With this approach I was able to finish the book. The story itself is pretty cool - but I really had a tough time reading through the misogyny in the diary entries of the male characters. The focus on the "purity" of Mina and the "voluptuousness" of the possessed vampire women (and Mina when possessed) just remains too much for me to be able to set aside.

I may be able to complete the annotated book in the next few years now that I'm through the story fully once. I appreciated the read-along at the same time!

I think this would be better as an audiobook. 
I appreciate the lines drawn from lynchings during Jim Crow to police murdering POC now. The analysis of race as a distraction and dividing technique in order for people to remain in power is done well. There are no endnotes or bibliography, but when Sellers quotes people in the narrative, it would be easy for me to look them up.

I have difficulties with the patriarchal view and religious view through the book. In a letter to his son (Ch 2), Sellers says

Sellers talks about the importance of women in the civil rights movement, referring to them as "sheroes", and emphasizing their bravery and strength and determination. I appreciate that. But I really hate the "head of household" thinking.

The ending of the book really redeemed it for me.
I didn't like the card playing portion of the book. I felt there was too much explanation of how to play the card game and the rules. I did enjoy Samantha and Donut lots. 
I'd been a bit hesitant about getting the next book (publishing in 2 weeks), but I will likely be buying it when it is released. We are set up for Floor 9 and Faction Wars in such an interesting way.

Offutt’s voice is dead on for the characters and locations. I’m not liking the characters as much here in book 3. The mystery is only adequate. Book 4 comes out next year. I may read a library copy. Read for author’s voice.

Whether the missing hikers are found at the end of the book:

they are not and as of Oct 2024 I wasn't finding anything online about their discovery

Interesting overall to read about the Pacific Crest Trail and the thru-hiking culture. Putting this book together with The Cold Vanish, it would be good if the federal government kept better track of people reported missing.

Love it.
Book 9 in series.
Lots happens.
Definitely won’t make sense without other books in series.

More Donut and Carl!
This book is over 700 pages. At this stage, you know what you’re getting into. Books will NOT make any sense when read out of order.
More pathos and grief on screen in this one.
I do like the world in this level.
We continue to see more of the universe as well.

Nifty series of interviews organized into a book. Chapters are Shakespeare plays Dench has been in separated by part. Neat vignettes and memories. Neat views on the continued importance of the Bard and on acting. Dench’s voice shines through.