In Dweller, Jeff Strand goes in a different direction from his more usual humorous takes on horror fiction. And while the novel is classified as horror, it isn't really. It is a story of friendship, love, life, and the depth of relationships.
The story follows the life of Toby, and outcast boy and the victim of continual bullying, and Owen, the, well, we don't really know what he is other than a "monster." From their first meeting where Toby runs away in terror, the novel explores their growing friendship and how that affects their lives. Even when strained by events, their bond remains true. Both are outcasts, or "weirdos," as Toby refers to themselves, yet they find a connection which sustains them both, even if that is rather sad in many ways.
Over the next 50 years, each of them has other experiences, and their relationship has both ups and downs. Yet this relationship is also the pillar of who each of them is.
As mentioned, Strand moves away from his normal humorous style of writing. Except for little glimpses, such as Owen's penchant for ice cream and the young Toby's revenge fantasies, the tone remains sober. Even when things seem to be looking up for Toby, there remains almost a haze of discomfort which casts a pall on things. The overwhelming sense is that neither Toby nor Owen will every really enjoy a happily ever after.
As mentioned above, the novel covers a period of about 50 years. In order to make this novel tauter, yet without huge gaps, Strand uses an effective technique of covering time gaps by offering brief snippets of conversations which keep the story going, giving a glimpse of intervening years without making the novel three times the length. This can be a tricky technique, but the author pulls it off.
When I consider a book I have read, I pretty much boil it down to if I felt for the characters and cared for what happened to them, if I looked forward to each reading session, if it flowed well logically and without interruptions due to poor editing or storylines, and if it makes sense. Within these parameters, this book was a success. I had one issue of logic near the end of the novel where I didn't buy the reasoning behind Toby's son's actions, but I realize there had to be a trigger for the novel's climax. But overall, the story made sense. I could believe it. And I truly cared for the characters.
I read the book in two sittings, looking forward to getting back to the book after a day at work. To say it grabbed my attention would be an understatement.
I often have a problem with juvenile characters. They usually seem either too cartoonish for me, or they are merely adults in small packages. Strand does not fall into either one of these traps. His young Toby seems authentic as a young boy to me. Sure, he is a strange little boy, but he rings true. And as he gets older, his thoughts and speech mature as well. The 7-year-old Toby is a different character than the almost 60-year-old Toby.
I also liked Nick and Larry, the bullies who made life miserable for young Toby. The author uses them well throughout the novel as sort of a foil for what Toby goes through in life.
Dweller doesn't brazenly yank at the reader's heartstrings, but if someone reads this and doesn't feel even a little pull on them, well, perhaps some humanity is lacking. Dweller is a rather sad tale when all is said and done, but one that is engrossing. I strongly recommend reading it.
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Top reviews from other countries
Pierre Mathieu
Dangerous, dark, life destroying secrets
Reviewed in Canada on February 27, 2015
R T Twinem
I am truly amazed by this wonderful story..
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 11, 2013
