Have you ever watched a movie or a TV show to find out its based off a book? Only to find out after the fact and have the reading experience ruined for you. That almost happened to me with Bird Box but thankfully Netflix is getting better at advertising their book based movies and shows.
There’s something about watching the show/movie before reading the book that is more difficult for me. I think it comes down to not being able to picture things in my own mind any more. The screen decides what the characters look and sound like, they design the setting with their own ideas. While I can recognize they try their best to fit into the book (most of the time) they still have their shortcomings.
So I am thankful I was able to read Bird Box by Josh Malerman prior to watching the movie because the differences were drastic. But today, let’s focus on the book on its own. Because I believe it truly deserves its own spotlight moment.
Synopsis
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The world has gone to ruins. People are dropping dead and going crazy for seemingly no reason. The news reports of a strange visual phenomenon and encourages people to lock down in their house, cover their windows and lock their doors. No one was prepared for the threat that laid outside their homes, and not many lived to see past the first months.
After discovering she was pregnant, Malorie witnesses the traumatic death of her sister due to the same mist that is spreading throughout the world. Malorie makes the daring journey and finds refuge in a house she heard about through the radio. Inside the house, she meets five other people all trying to live out the apocalypse on the other side of the door.
Event unfold that leave Malorie stranded with the children. Her only hope at survival is venturing out onto the river. A voice over the radio spoke about a larger refuge just down the river. In order to give the children a standing chance at growing up, her only option is to risk everything she’s worked so hard at maintaining. So, her little family steps foot on a raft, blindfolded to stay safe from the fog, they travel down the current.
The book is set up to reveal the past and present simultaneously. As Malorie and her children float down the river, we see the events that unfolded for her to make such a dangerous decision. We watch as trauma and fear cause the housemates to unravel. When different minds and wills come to battle, we watch as the walls of their sanctuary come tumbling down. We learn that the fog isn’t the only enemy they have to worry about. Survival requires more than just a blindfold but also an insane amount of courage.
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Likes
This book is packed with action and thrill. Each chapter leaves you feeling hooked and turning to the next page. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Malorie transform from a timid yet stubborn woman into a courageous and strong-willed mother. Malerman did a fantastic job at writing intrigue between characters without taking away from the plot at hand. I also enjoyed the simplicity of his writing. He does not waste time getting to the details and the struggles his characters are facing. I also enjoyed the hopeful ending, rather than the typical gloom left at the end of most horror novels.
Dislikes
I think my biggest dislike in this book is in the fog itself. Malerman does a great job building the characters and plot, but there is an emptiness in the fog. As the reader, we never really learn about it other than if you see it you die, or perhaps go crazy and then die, or maybe even die and live crazy. It is on the confusing side. There is also a simple way to survive which takes away from the dramatics at the end. If you can’t see it, you will live.
Review and Recommendations
I enjoy horror. I really enjoy horror that writes a different narrative. This book does that and despite its small shortcomings, it does a good job. I think this is a good intro to horror, as it’s not all blood and guts like some others. This would be a good fit for high-schoolers and up. I think if you’re looking for horror but don’t want something that will keep you awake at night, this is perfect for you.
Chilling 8/10
Want to hear about how the book compares to the movie? Have you read or watched Bird Box? What did you think? Let us know in the comments!
And as always, happy reading!