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There are currently 26 member reviews
for The Devil in Silver
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Bess W. (Marlton, NJ)
The Devil in Silver
I wasn't sure how I would enjoy a "horror" story, but this is not a typical horror story--and I did enjoy it! The horror is the public mental institution. The characters are great, individually and also their relationships with each other and they will keep you reading.
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Barbara K. (Brooklyn, NY)
Reach out and say "hello"
Although this tale is beautifully written, infused with humor and rich descriptions, I found the story a little difficult to follow at times; I wasn't sure where it was going. However, the beautiful use of language made this a worthwhile read.
It was sad to read about the lack of concern 'the system' has for certain 'throw-away' people, subduing them , but making no attempt to better their lives.
In the end however, we get to see that even if it takes great courage, trying to reach out to others to help free them from their misery with a smile and a "hello" can brighten a person's life and change his world for the better.
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Shelby L. (Hamden, CT)
A page turner
I couldn't put this book down. It's a quick read, entertaining, funny and so sad. The characters are well developed and you'll sympathize with the situation they are in as patients in a state run mental institution. They suffer deprivation, discrimination, abuse, everything that has been exposed in these institutions you've read about before....and they are tormented by "the Devil" behind the silver door. No one will hear their fears and complaints and they plot to take matters into their own hands.
You'll laugh out loud and cry for these prisoners of "they system"
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Theresa R. (Sierra Madre, CA)
Started strong, finished slowly
When I started reading this book, I got right into it and was excited to read it. I liked some of the characters and was interested to find out what was going to happen. However, about halfway through the book, I almost didn't care anymore. I made myself finish the book to see what "The Devil in Silver" was and was not impressed! Overall, this book was just ok.
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Shaun (Woodridge, IL)
The Devil in Silver
The tag-line for this book reads "New Hyde Hospital's psychiatric ward has a new resident. It also has a very very old one." Sounds intriguing, right? It's not and neither is anything in this book. I don't think it would spoil the yawn of an ending to say that there isn't in fact anything supernatural going on at New Hyde. And the 'scary' resident referred to in the tag line isnt "very very" old - he's just old. And not in a suspenseful kind of way - more like in a (hold tight now) crazy-guy-in-a-mental-hospital-who-is-more-crazy-than-scary. The story plods and the least interesting character is unfortunately the main one. A man who insists on being called Pepper "because he's spicy". Huh? It's downhill from there. Some, and only some, of the other residents are interesting and it's detrimental to the story that the least amount of time is spent with them. The most is spent with our hero Pepper who is one of the dullest protagonists I've ever encountered. The story is way longer than it needs to be. The book felt like what could've been a serviceable short story stretched out a few hundred pages too long. Not much happens at New Hyde so in that respect the story would also have worked if it had been more character-driven. But instead you only get a few snippets of the truly interesting patients and far too much of Pepper.
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Elaine G. (West Lafayette, IN)
The Devil in Silver
Difficult for me to properly review as I am not one who likes books involving mental hospitals. I do think those who like such will enjoy this book as it is well written and has a novel twist to the subject matter.
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Bink W. (Sopchoppy, FL)
Lost my interest
One of the few books that I have not finished. Good character development and some truly horrific episodes. As a mental health professional and nurse, I found the story to have a fair measure of accurate representation of some institutions in the past, but was annoyed by all of the stereotypes. Both of treatment and characters. I'll probably give it another try in a month or so.
