rating:
90%
synopsis:
during an overseas hunting trip, sanger rainsford falls off of a yacht after he hears gunshots and must swim to a nearby island. he soon finds the island is inhabited by a hunter named general zaroff and his servant ivan. the general has become bored with hunting wildlife (however exotic) and is now fond of hunting humans, who provide him a greater challenge. when the general decides to hunt sanger, he underestimates his fellow hunter and is provided a greater challenge than he expected.
positive:
the story is crafted well. its rich imagery is hoisted to a higher level by the simplicity of the author's technique. while its length made it easy to read in a single sitting, so did the consistent pace and constant thrills.
negative:
though it was likely the perfect length, the writer leaves the reader wanting more! there may be good things to be found in the rest of connell's catalog, if this short story is, any indication. also, the way the conflict is resolved may be predictable to some readers.
all in all:
if this story wasn't assigned reading material in your school (i empathize - it wasn't in mine either), i recommend finding a copy to read. i feel like i was deprived of something good by not being exposed to this one! i'm pretty surprised that a film version hasn't been made in eighty years... come on hollywood! you've got a murderer, wild animals, and mind games. it's time for a remake already!
vocabulary:
repast, n
the food served and eaten at one time; synonym: meal
quotation:
"at daybreak rainsford, lying near the swamp, was awakened by a sound that made him know that he had new things to learn about fear."
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