FantasticLand: A Novel

One of the best books I’ve read in a long long time. The story is a modern-day Lord of The Flies, with sprinkles of Jurassic Park (minus dinosaurs). I love how the story was structured and told through a series of interviews from each character’s perspective. Something about that made it very easy to visualize in my imagination. I felt immersed in this story in a way I haven’t been since I was in my teens. I would LOVE to see this adapted as a limited series and I feel like the people at HBO are the only ones that could do it justice. Easy money, HBO!While reading this book, I learned that there is still an overwhelming and disappointing number of people who have NOT read The Lord of The Flies. You don’t have to read that book to understand and appreciate this story, but I feel like you would definitely have a better appreciation for it if you did.

Fantasticland was everything I wanted it to be and I enjoyed and gobbled up every minute of it.This book is actually far from my typical read, as I am not too keen on blood and guts and doom and gloom. Yet somehow, when my husband mentioned he was listening to the audiobook, I was instantly intrigued and downloaded and read it in one sitting.A modern Lord of the Flies, a skeleton crew of 300 or so theme park employees find themselves trapped in the park following a hurricane of epic proportions. Revealed in a series of interviews, the days following the storm are filled with chaos, paranoia, depravity, and some downright deliciously creepy stuff.What I loved about how this story was told is the uncovering of events gradually through various POVs and voices. In this way, we can see how something seemingly so outlandish could transpire so quickly. How one moment and our responses breed the next, and how these moments ripple and leave us scratching our heads, asking, “How did we get here?” There is a subtle insight into motivations, buried demons, and personality faults that are amplified when put into a vacuum.The only thing that kind of irked me was the repeated theme and idea of “what happens when you take away internet and social media from a group of young folks who have grown to depend upon it so desperately?” While I don’t disagree with the idea of a generation addicted to instant gratification, connection, and misguided purpose, I don’t think it was entirely necessary in this book or as an idea as a motivational driver for utter carnage and murderous teens.Rather, I think you can take from this a bigger picture, spanning all ages and generations, of what happens when you have a group of individuals who are isolated without information, scared and unsure of their future and wellbeing, lack purpose, and have no guiding force-and what happens based on WHO steps out ahead of the pack as the leader to create that guiding force and set the tone. How our differing perceptions, misunderstandings, and reactions to things can create a situation that grows quickly out of control. These same ideas shape and form politics, religion, cults, and the like…affecting individuals of all ages, place, and time…not just digitally addicted teenagers in Florida.For those reasons, I can also see how some might not enjoy this look into the darkest parts and the lowest of where our humanity can go while living during a period of time where perhaps we want to escape just how low we have seen society go in ways we thought not possible. For others who find solace in accepting the bleak and depraved and enjoy piecing together its motivations-Fantasticland offers a fun ride.For me, this book was simply and honestly a FUN, quick read. As I mentioned, I am no fan of gore, and for whatever reason my dark side showed up for this one and honestly didn’t find it all that bad? I found it had just the right amount of car crash you cant look away from and creep factor to keep me glued, entertained, and curious from beginning to end-leaving me nagging my husband to hurry up and finish his audiobook so we could discuss.

This book fell short of expectations, lacking the depth and fulfillment I anticipated. The plot seemed promising, but character development was lacking, leaving the story feeling incomplete and unsatisfying. The potential for a captivating narrative was there, but the execution left much to be desired, ultimately leaving me wanting more from the novel. Around two-thirds into the book, it finally gained momentum, but by then, I had already faced considerable difficulty staying engaged. I found myself questioning if the premise aimed to critique America's youth, their detachment from reality and excessive reliance on phones and social media, leaving them ill-equipped to handle stressful situations. While this theme emerged belatedly, it wasn't enough to redeem the overall lackluster experience of the earlier sections. Despite containing mild horrific descriptions, "Fantastic Land" doesn't quite qualify as horror, in my opinion. It provides just enough to spark interest, but I found myself wanting more substance. The temptation to DNF the book was strong. I can see how some might appreciate its unique approach by being written in interview style, but personally, it didn't resonate with me. While not the worst read, it certainly doesn't rank among the best in my literary experiences.

I absolutely loved the way this book was written. Ive never really read a story quite like this and i just loved it. Need a movie/TV/video game adaptation of this book ASAP!

Very interesting story. The interview style this book is written in did not do the plot justice. When the author tried to write like he believed a younger person would talk during an “interview” it sounded so cringey & took me out of the story.

This book was one crazy, wild ride (No pun intended)! I was hooked from the first couple of pages and couldn't wait to read more each night. I found myself thinking about it at work, or while doing other things. This book is like The Lost Boys meets Lord Of The Flies. It is written in the style of interviews with survivors from the park, and they are not for the week. I would definitely recommend this book.

This book just really appealed to me from start to finish.

I absolutely loved this book. I would love a TV series adaptation, hour long episodes and in particular that one chapter can be a two hour episode.

Selten so einen Müll gelesen.

Finished this book in a day. There are some genuinely frightening scenes. What makesIt most eerie is the thought that it could happen in real life

Over the top and readable in a fun fashion; this book was simply enjoyable. Able to be read on so many levels, this new take on a solid theme satisfied my love of dark humour, satire, commentary, and a fun writing style.