My first thought is that Kate Alice Marshall's Rules for Vanishing MOVES - that it's propulsive in its structure and pacing.
I've seen a reaction or two, in which readers feel that the documentary-type storytelling slows down the narrative, but I have to respectfully disagree. There ARE jumps between interview, and text message log, and written statement... However, those jumps give momentum to the story and keep me on my toes, "jumpy" myself, as a reader.
Meanwhile, Marshall ensures the text's cohesion by establishing Sara as the protagonist. Sara, through her grief, and her horror, and her relationships, becomes the emotional center of the story, for me.
Here are just a few more thoughts before I conclude!...
- Please keep the cover, as is! The threatening woods, the narrow road... these not only have a sort of psychological symbolism (e.g. fear, choices), but they preview the literal story setting! Also, the eerie greenish coloring is just awesome.
- From what I've read so far, this book does not sacrifice character development and relationships for horror and thrills. That's a tough line to walk, and I really admire what Marshall's done so far!
- Can I reiterate just how fantastic I think the book's structure is?! The letter introducing the case file... Its last line "To our knowledge, Dr. Ashford remains unaware of your interest"... WOW. I'm not quite sure if I'm being called out as a reader ("your interest"), or if a 'you' will be revealed, but either way I love it.
I've seen a reaction or two, in which readers feel that the documentary-type storytelling slows down the narrative, but I have to respectfully disagree. There ARE jumps between interview, and text message log, and written statement... However, those jumps give momentum to the story and keep me on my toes, "jumpy" myself, as a reader.
Meanwhile, Marshall ensures the text's cohesion by establishing Sara as the protagonist. Sara, through her grief, and her horror, and her relationships, becomes the emotional center of the story, for me.
Here are just a few more thoughts before I conclude!...
- Please keep the cover, as is! The threatening woods, the narrow road... these not only have a sort of psychological symbolism (e.g. fear, choices), but they preview the literal story setting! Also, the eerie greenish coloring is just awesome.
- From what I've read so far, this book does not sacrifice character development and relationships for horror and thrills. That's a tough line to walk, and I really admire what Marshall's done so far!
- Can I reiterate just how fantastic I think the book's structure is?! The letter introducing the case file... Its last line "To our knowledge, Dr. Ashford remains unaware of your interest"... WOW. I'm not quite sure if I'm being called out as a reader ("your interest"), or if a 'you' will be revealed, but either way I love it.