I Remember You
2 journalers for this copy...
I got this fair-condition ex-library softcover, translated from Icelandic, from Better World Books. I'd been wanting to read it since hearing about it in this Book Talk thread. It's a mix of mystery, thriller, and horror story, with some marvelously atmospheric notes. (It has some elements in common with John Ajvide Lindqvist's Harbor, which also features a missing child and a haunted location - and that Nordic sense of doom! - though in other ways the novels are quite different.)
I enjoyed the way the story unfolded, dealing with different points of view that gradually began to intersect - some in unexpected ways, though I did guess at one or two plot-twists before they became obvious to the characters. There's a young married couple and their newly-widowed friend, who are visiting a remote coastal hamlet - abandoned in the off-season - to renovate the house that the couple bought; then there's a psychologist who's still suffering the breakup of his marriage after the disappearance of his young son years before, and who's been called in by the police to help with the investigation of a case of vandalism at a local grade-school. That investigation leads to earlier incidents years - decades - before, and that ties in to the mysterious death of an elderly person. And meanwhile, in the remote village, it seems that perhaps the trio isn't as alone as they thought they'd be...
There's psychological suspense, police-procedural intricacy, and out-and-out blood-chilling, "get the hell out of there" horror, all weaving into a wrenching climax. And even though I'd guessed a few key elements ahead of their reveals in the story, I still found the whole book a very satisfying - and occasionally a "turn the lights on" - read.
I'd dearly love to see a well-made film of this - it could be very effective!
I enjoyed the way the story unfolded, dealing with different points of view that gradually began to intersect - some in unexpected ways, though I did guess at one or two plot-twists before they became obvious to the characters. There's a young married couple and their newly-widowed friend, who are visiting a remote coastal hamlet - abandoned in the off-season - to renovate the house that the couple bought; then there's a psychologist who's still suffering the breakup of his marriage after the disappearance of his young son years before, and who's been called in by the police to help with the investigation of a case of vandalism at a local grade-school. That investigation leads to earlier incidents years - decades - before, and that ties in to the mysterious death of an elderly person. And meanwhile, in the remote village, it seems that perhaps the trio isn't as alone as they thought they'd be...
There's psychological suspense, police-procedural intricacy, and out-and-out blood-chilling, "get the hell out of there" horror, all weaving into a wrenching climax. And even though I'd guessed a few key elements ahead of their reveals in the story, I still found the whole book a very satisfying - and occasionally a "turn the lights on" - read.
I'd dearly love to see a well-made film of this - it could be very effective!
I'm adding this to the Otherworldly bookbox, which will be on its way to its next stop soon!
*** Released for the 2015 Allergic to A challenge. ***
*** Released for the 2015 Allergic to A challenge. ***
I picked this out of emmejo's Otherworldly Bookbox. I couldn't resist picking this book up due to the fact that it is written by an Icelandic author. I have a thing about Scandinavian books and things since I have a strong Swedish heritage. This story looks like one that both my husband (loves horror) and I (loves thrillers) will enjoy. Thanks for sharing!
