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Tuesday 2 April 2019

ALTAR by Philip Fracassi

AltarAltar by Philip Fracassi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I started reading this story on my Paperwhite last night and was instantly drawn in.

Gary, his sister Abby, and their mother Martha, decide to spend a hot day at the local swimming pool. They might go there together, but each one has their own plans and thoughts. Gary decides to meet up with a school friend while lost in the nostalgia of the location. Abby gets herself involved in some trouble. While Martha is trying not to be bitter about her divorce, or think about how much alcohol would help take the edge off things.

But none of that compares to what happens when the clouds start rolling in...

Yikes. I found this story intriguing and very well written. It hooked me in with the individual character drama, and kept me there because the tension builds slowly and surely with each new word.

I especially like Gary's innocence and the unconditional love he shares with his sister. As well as how excited he is at the beginning of their day. The way his nostalgic happiness turns to dread is quite sad to watch. Especially what happens to Abby, which was fucking horrifying.

Martha's POV was also good because it contained a nightmarish--almost as if she was suffering heatstroke--effect on the events.

Actually, the whole story feels like that. It moves at a good pace, slowly unravelling the mundane, yet problematic lives, of people who soon finds themselves in the middle of a hellish situation. One that'll ensure you never look at swimming pools the same again! 😳

I like tales that start off perfectly normal with harmless and familiar situations, and then take a macabre, unexpected turn.

Personally, I don't think what happens is an accident. I think the kids and the problems and the underlying violence pretty much summons the trouble, if you know what I mean.

This is a great story. It's not long, but the length captures the story perfectly. And what isn't mentioned in the story, you can pretty much decipher with the creepy cover.


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