Book Review Rewind: Bird Box by Josh Malerman
Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons!
My first review of 2019 started off with a genuinely creepy tale. Bird Box by Josh Malerman left a lasting impression with me. This year saw its sequel, Malorie, arrive in book stores. To prepare for part two, I decided that the first novel deserved a re-read. Was it better the second time around? Or did think less of this novel upon giving it a second look?
Bird Box is Josh Malerman's debut novel. It is published by ECCO Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. In this post-apocalyptic novel of dread and survival we are introduced to Malorie, mother of two small children who makes a desperate attempt to forge the river as they flee the home they have known for the past several years. The children are trained to listen and are hyper aware of their possibly dangerous surroundings. As they continue on, silent and blindfolded, she reflects on the events that led up to her current predicament.
We flash back several years to Malorie who is living with her sister, Shannon. After organizing their living space, the two deal with an impending pregnancy, something Malorie is apprehensive to confirm. The two do their best to prepare for the future. But a series of strange events begin to unfold where people have been driven mad and have either killed themselves or murdered others. It seems contained on the other side of the world. Slowly the state of the world begins to break down as more and more people succumb to this strange and deadly hysteria that has emerged. No one wants to go outside. No one wants to speak to one another for fear that their neighbor or family member may already be insane. The question stands: is it an illness or are their creatures so terrifying roaming the world that to see them drives one to lunacy?
Shannon finally is beset with madness and takes her own life. Leaving her home, a pregnant Malorie drives miles to a safe house where she is taken in by its inhabitants. But where is she actually safe? Her new housemates are suspicious and she is under watch from the day of her arrival. But Tom, the apparent leader of the group, is optimistic and is welcoming to her. Over time Malorie watches the safe home she has entered become wrought with paranoia and terror. They have let a man into their home. A man with a dangerous past that could be more threatening to them than what awaits them outside.
Bird Box was an exhilarating ride of chills and suspense. It twisted my mind, and had me grasped in a blanket of paranoia and claustrophobic dread. As I wandered through life with the blindfolded and terrified survivors of this book, I saw a depth of character with each person introduced. Spanning over five years Bird Box delivers excellent character development. I was thoroughly invested in each player. Malorie was brave and become the embodiment of a protective mother. Through all the dangers that she could see and not see, she managed to care for her two children in and out of the womb. As I got to know the various survivors I grew attached to them, hoping for their continued survival. Malerman's atmospheric writing style thrust me forward into the unknown, never letting me surface for air as the unseen forces surrounding the story nipped at and taunted me. He allowed the reader to develop the same paranoia and fear that his characters did. This made for reveals and scares that were more believable and surprising.
I read Bird Box in part with the amazing narration of actress, Cassandra Campbell. Her performance was loaded with emotion and her delivery of the scarier moments enhanced Malerman's narrative. I look forward to reading more novels with her voice as part of them.
Bird Box remains in my personal hall of fame of 5 star books. I will remember for a long time, this novel's claustrophobic and dread-laced story. Do not be surprised if you venture out in the world a little more aware of your surroundings. Onward to book two! Bird Box is an excellent book that I still highly recommend.
Have fun reading this week. Let me know in the comments below what are some of your favorite reads of 2020.
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