Customer Reviews

Katie

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Closer to the great gothic tradition and to Charles Dickens, this is a real jewel of plotting (as all of McDowell's novels were, either by pseudonym - Nathan Aldyne and Axel Young- or under his own name)about two nemeses who are bound to face off in late nineteenth-century New York.

Meet Katie Slape and Philo(mela)Drax. Both were born poor and were destined to come unto money, though one was to inherit, the other to steal it. Katie is what you would call a monster. Pretty to look out, but you wouldn't want her to look into you.

On the other hand, Philo is a heroine in the old-fashioned sense of the word, browbeaten, put-upon and constantly humiliated, yet always optimistic and resourceful, not to mention lovable, she is acharacter one roots for from the start.

Gruesome in some details, yes, "Katie" is also an engrossing read, evocative, well-researched and written, composed with a sense of [very dark] humor and a prodigious sense of wonder, this is a novel to be sought, found, and treasured forever.

An unsung classic by an obscure yet marvelous writer.

Although Katie is not my favorite McDowell book (still Blackwater, for now), it is quite a good read. It is a period piece and very interesting because of its detailed descriptions of life in 19th century America. Certainly, the death scenes are gory and frightening (Katie's, along with some of her victims comes to mind), but even more interesting is the character development.

Philomela Drax is an intriguing heroine specifically because of her humanity. While she is upset that the Slapes have killed her grandfather, it is more a practical upset than an emotional one. While it might be romantic to assume that she should be terribly concerned with his loss, the reality is that she had no deep emotional connection with the man. The reader identifies with her need of the money, althought they might be ashamed to admit this fact.

Katie and the Slapes are likewise intriguing. One must wonder whether the name "Slape" is an homage to Faulkner's "Snopes", for they share a basic animal motivation for what they do. The mystery of Katie's evil remains just that - a mystery. It leaves the reader both satisfied and oddly conflicted. You know that you should be completely repulsed by her, and yet you find that you cannot resist a slight pang of empathy for one that can feel nothing beyond the most base of sensations: hunger, pleasure, pain.

This is one of McDowell's most brutal books. It's a nice Cinderella-type story with an unrivaled evil stepsister. I like the ending- gory but ultimately a happy one.

Katie is the most gruesome of all Michael McDowell's books, yet it is one of my favorites. Philo is a true heroine, Katie is unbelievably evil, and then who hasn't known a person who resembles Jewel? The Slapes will leave you dumbfounded at their callousness, and you will find yourself cheering every time Philo overcomes some other obstacle in her path. This book is a really fast read, totally absorbing. Get ready for some gore, though.

This is one of McDowell's most brutal books. It's a nice Cinderella-type story with an unrivaled evil stepsister. I like the ending- gory but ultimately a happy one.

why so few reviews? maybe it is a difficult book to find?
my copy i have owned since 1982. i have gone back to re-read it many times over the years. this would make an amazing movie!
suffice to say,these characters (the slapes) are ultra-evil,ultra sinister. the author has done a fantastic job of making them and this story unforgettable to all who read it.
if i can explain more of the plot: dirt poor philo drax almost gets money from a grandfather,but before she can,he is murdered by katie slape(by shoving dirt down his throat with a toy scoop and child's pail-gruesome huh?) philo starts out in the world,determined to find the slapes. the slapes indulge themselves in some less than honest activies,like,murdering more people.(hey,i gave warning-these slapes are evil-most of all katie). the murders are various and described in creepiest detail. for example,a dead woman stuffed into a bag,left hanging in a cellar and the ropes of slime hanging from the bottom-eeewwwww,i can almost SMELL it!!!
the ending is good. i won't say "what" happens to katie and the VERY end (the "conclusion",is a bit ironic but,in keeping with philo,that she would not do anything with the $$$...)read this classic and find out how great it is.