I read this book as part of a BookCrossing ring in 2002.

I had a very hard time putting this book down -- I felt compelled to keep reading! Great story, I love the subtlety of many of the scenes in the book. I will never be able to look at sand in quite the same way again...

I'll never look at sand the same again. ( )

Consistently one of my favorite horror novels. I usually re-read it once a year or so. McDowell has a flair for really unsettling imagery - if you read enough of his work, you'll find that quite a bit of it recurs in various forms - and the great Southern gothic atmosphere of a faltering family really shows up his talents well here. It's not perfect, but it's exactly the kind of horror I love: reality's gone wrong and, because natural laws may no longer apply, there's not a lot you can do to combat the forces around you. A great, creepy read. ( )

Well-written, tremendously creepy--one of the best 'ghost stories' of all time. ( )