The book has a slow start that lets you, the reader get comfortable and even bored on purpose. A casual pace, almost like a lazy stroll on the beach with words that start building up as the story moves forward.
In this story, we have a quite peculiar bear-like beast, to which we don’t know how to exactly describe at first, but we know that it is bulky, big, compact, fast and powerful, a Grolar, and we discover on the first thriller scene, that is the second scene of the book, how lethal it is, as well as how powerful and thrilling the narrative of Thorsten Nesch is. And the book gets rolling.
So we have Jon, a normal hardworking man, out of his luck due to the financial crisis, facing severe tension on his relationship and overall life, and after an incident on his way to work on the gold prospecting site with his family, we get the feeling that we will be witnessing a horror spectacle in the woods.
This book feels like you are watching a movie, which is really cool, and the simple narrative used by Thorsten Nesch, allows the imagery to be adapted by each person that reads the book while keeping it stable enough so the details are general for everyone when they need to be. Nicely done
A very interesting thing here is that, the Grolar, our main character, that is a bear, a monster bear, is described in primal ways of behaviour and thought. It’s very interesting to see how Thorsten Nesch describes the moods, tactics and perceptions of the beast. The way it walks, its intentions, and even the plans he makes before killing. It’s something new, this beasty “first impressions”.
As the story progresses and we get to the goings of it, we start taking notice that Thorsten Nesch did dedicate a good amount of time in the dialogue, that although might seem simple, it reveals how can short-talk be the sign of a dying marriage. There is a lot of tension between Jon and his wife, although he is trying to do his best everyday, and keep his family fed, his kid safe. We also notice that the tension is also due to the expectations of the part of the wife of marrying a man that “makes it” someday, and that wants that man to make it now, as she becomes tired of the man she supposedly loves.
I love the dynamics of this book, how the tension is built ever so slowly, as if the writer didn’t plan to kill everyone in this book through the Grolar. The way things just proceed, without hurry, like the walk of the beast itself it’s very nice. A thing here: Thorsten Nesch uses the emotional tension of the couple in order to keep our senses “teased” and ready, but ever so lightly in order for us not to notice when he is going to strike. Sneaky and very professional of his part.
The scenes change pace in an instant. One line you are all comfy, and the next one you are in the middle of a thriller filled with claws, jaws, blood and dead bodies, where by the end of it, 3 paragraphs have been read in a flash. It’s impressive. I like this type of narrative motion really much, it’s something interesting to read and the way Thorsten Nesch makes the almost expected transitions of pace gives this book the distinct mood that sets it apart. I mean, who would make a book focused on the views of a bear-like creature thirsty for blood and vengeance?
The cinematographic feeling that this book possesses, thanks to the narrative of this great writer, is something that enhances the reading experience. This is a thriller book for nature lovers, and it will totally satisfy your beasty appetites for blood and fast-attack scenes. Very nice read.
Pros:
- Smooth characters. Simple descriptions with vivid, distinct personalities
- Loved the way the Grolar is put as a character with a major role to play, and not as an “occurrence”
- You get immerse in the beast and you understand its motivations, something pretty new and very well made
- The emotional toll of the married couple, was a major thing here. It was so well displayed and you can actually feel it in you, the anger, the pent-up energy, the distress, and Jon trying his best to not let that influence his son
- Nice descriptions of nature and the dynamics, the weather, the sounds, the air, the smells, the lakes, it’s quite imaginative and gripping.
- A simple plot that you don’t need to predict at all, you just read it and have fun. It’s very nice
- The author keeps things simple and focuses on the story, just the story and tells it
Cons:
The book takes a little time to “start”. I wish the second scene was the first because it would grip the readers at once.
Scribble's Worth 