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The Girl Next Door

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'The Girl Next Door' by Jack Ketchum is a disturbing and dark novel based on a true story of torture and abuse. The plot revolves around Ruth Chandler, who starts to take a dislike to Megan, leading to verbal abuse escalating to extreme torture with the involvement of Ruth's children. The story is narrated from David Moran's perspective, a fictitious neighbor who witnesses the disturbing events and tries to help Megan. Ketchum's writing style is described as graphic and detailed, drawing readers in and horrifying them with the events depicted in the book.

The book delves into the ugliest sides of human behavior, showcasing the depravity and cruelty that people are capable of. It explores themes of child abuse, torture, and the darkness that can reside within individuals and society. The narrative is engaging, emotional, and harrowing, with a focus on the power dynamics and the impact of the horrific events on the characters involved.

Characters:

Characters are complex, illustrating the moral ambiguities of childhood innocence versus complicity.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is straightforward but powerful, immersing readers in the emotional landscape of the characters.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot highlights the brutal realities of child abuse and the complicit behavior of those who witness it.

Setting:

The suburban setting amplifies the horror, contrasting normal life with the extreme abuse occurring.

Pacing:

Pacing begins deliberately but accelerates as the plot progresses towards horror.
She is driving down a rain-slick highway on a hot summer morning in a rented Volvo, her lover by her side, driving slowly and carefully because she knows how treacherous new rain on hot streets can be...

Notes:

The Girl Next Door is a horror novel by Jack Ketchum, loosely based on true events.
The book depicts extreme child abuse and neglect, particularly focusing on the character Meg.
It explores themes of complicity and human depravity through the eyes of an adolescent boy named David.
David witnesses the horrific treatment of Meg and her sister, Susan, by their aunt and neighborhood children.
The novel is infamous for its graphic details and emotional impact, often leaving readers disturbed.
Many readers express a deep emotional reaction, often feeling guilt and sadness after reading it.
Ketchum wrote the book to provoke thought and shine a light on the horrors of real-life abuse.
The story is inspired by the true case of Sylvia Likens, who was tortured and murdered in 1965.
Despite its disturbing content, Ketchum's writing style is praised for its clarity and ability to convey complex emotions.
The ending is particularly gut-wrenching, challenging readers to reflect on the nature of evil in ordinary settings.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains severe content warnings for child abuse, physical violence, psychological trauma, and themes of cruelty.

From The Publisher:

A teenage girl is held captive and brutally tortured by neighborhood children. Based on a true story, this shocking novel reveals the depravity of which we are all capable.

This novel contains graphic content and is recommended for regular readers of horror novels.

Ratings (55)

Incredible (8)
Loved It (14)
Liked It (23)
It Was OK (4)
Did Not Like (3)
Hated It (3)

Reader Stats (155):

Read It (57)
Currently Reading (2)
Want To Read (66)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (29)

1 comment(s)

Incredible
2 weeks

Obviously brutal given the case it’s based on, it’s also beautifully written which adds to how disturbing the story is. A must read.

 
 
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