Grotesque
#12
by Ellen Steiber
Synopsis
A serial killer arrested for serial murders of at least seven men over
the past three years, slashes his victims’ faces before he killed them.
However, when the murderer was in custody for five days, the serial murder
still took place. The killer caught claimed that there was the spirit of
an ancient, malicious gargoyle, which had once possessed him and now, has
possessed someone else. He said that the gargoyle had killed them all and
not him…
When the brutal deaths continue, special agents Mulder and Scully were
called in to investigate the case. Both have different views about the
case where Mulder believes the killer while Scully thinks he suffers from
sociopath.
In order
to catch the creature, Mulder thinks that he has to become one himself.
His superior Patterson also has this way of thinking and in the end he
really became one without realizing it…
Although the case was solved, nobody knew the whole story except Mulder.
Deep inside his heart, he believes that gargoyle does really exist.
Setting
The setting
of the place is an old factory building, a place that everyone has seen
before, nothing much to be fascinated about. However, the place is being
abandoned and deserted where nobody would hang around. Moreover, the wallpaper
is not any ordinary pieces of colored or printed papers but the drawings
of the gargoyles. This created tension as ordinary people would not hang
pictures of fierce- looking gargoyles all around their houses. This tempted
reader to carry reading as to understand the reason for this setting.
Plot Structure
and Development
As the novel is being developed, tensions are built up, stirring the readers’
emotion to a greater height. It is not excitement but fear filled the readers’
heart while reading on. As Mulder sinks further, he get more involved in
the case and almost turn out to be one of the suspect. He was even attacked
by someone (a gargoyle?) when he visited the place.
Mood/ Atmosphere
Throughout the whole story, suspense and tension is built up slowly, making
one read with fear. However, the temptation is even greater that one has
to suppress his feeling and carry on reading. Mulder’ s actions also helped
to build up tension as almost everything he does make one worry for him…
Style of
writing
Although there are some bombastic words used to describe how the victims
are killed and mutilated, the language used is simple for all. The author
uses detailed descriptions to support the characters in the novel.
Characteristic
Characters of the killer and Mulder are rather peculiar and unique ones.
Mulder’ s ways of seeing things sometimes seem senseless but they always
turns out to be true. Mostow, the killer, is someone who has suffered much
since young and he turns out to be a particular type who draws gargoyles
as his protectors.
Opinions
The best part of the novel is the encounter with the gargoyle. Mulder did
really see a gargoyle himself and almost got killed. To my surprise, the
gargoyle turns out to be his superior. I am amazed by the plot line, as
I have never read such an unpredictable one that is filled with mystery.
The ending of the story is a satisfying one where Mulder finally got his
hard works paid off. However, I do not really like to read story with a
sad ending that Patterson was suffering like hell behind bars.
While I was reading the novel, my heart was beating fast and I could feel
my sweaty palms turning colder than ever. I taken in by the way the author
writes the story, so convincing that I felt as if I was also part of the
story.
I believed that most readers’ favourite character would be Mulder as he
indeed was a genius to be able to crack so many cases. People working with
him would have to appreciate the way he solves crime and Scully did learn
that lesson.
All science- fiction readers, especially X- files fans, should not
miss this episode as many unpredictable events happened in this novel…where
the superior could turn out to be the murderer!
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