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Book Reviews of The Grotesque

The Grotesque
The Grotesque
Author: Patrick McGrath
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ISBN-13: 9780679776215
ISBN-10: 0679776214
Publication Date: 1/28/1997
Pages: 192
Rating:
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 11

3.5 stars, based on 11 ratings
Publisher: Vintage
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

5 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed The Grotesque on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
At first, I could not understand why Patrick McGrath would write a modern book in gothic style. But then I got it: because he's really, really good at it. The Grotesque is dark, witty, and very well written. It makes me think of an Edward Gorey cartoon, come to life. The story is told entirely from the perspective of a brilliant but rather detestable narrator (hence the term "grotesque") who is extremely unreliable. But, he's all we have. And so we follow him as he unravels this twisted little tale of murder, adultery, and other nefarious acts. Overall, it's like a visit to a fun house, a quick trip in the spooky darkness, with lots of distorting mirrors, resulting in more amusement than terror.
Yoni avatar reviewed The Grotesque on + 327 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Another reviewer described this book as an Edward Gorey cartoon come to life, and I couldn't have said it better myself. It is a very uncomfortable book, dark and macabre. Patrick Mcgrath is such a great writer that he does this with total class. Not for the squeamish. Funny, dark, and satirical. Not for everyone, but definitely my kind of book.
WhidbeyIslander avatar reviewed The Grotesque on + 690 more book reviews
An odd outing, not quite as spooky as portrayed on the jacket blurb. It's an okay change-of-pace book for mystery lovers and others who usually read straightforward novels. I generally dislike passages about dreams and hallucinations, and there were some in this book I skipped over. The narrator and I share many outlooks on life (except for one major one), and he certainly is not the most pleasant of companions, which sometimes made me look inward.
reviewed The Grotesque on + 81 more book reviews
I liked it but I think it was a bit over my head.
reviewed The Grotesque on + 9 more book reviews
This book was much too dark for me; I didn't really like it at all.