The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum Book Review & Reaction | The Most Uncomfortable I've Been Reading

Mike kicks off Spooky Season 2021 with a spoiler-free review of the deeply disturbing 1989 novel The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum (spoiler-free).
You can purchase The Girl Next Door here: amzn.to/3DoDqrT (physical) amzn.to/3iKpIb2 (digital) amzn.to/3iKBn9X (audio)
Want to send Mike something? You can do so to the below address:
Mike K.
15201 Mason Rd
Suite 169
Cypress, TX 77433
Support Mike on Patreon: / mikesbookreviews
Join Mike's server on Discord / discord
Visit Mike's Amazon Wishlist: amzn.to/2zpHooW
Follow Mike on Goodreads: / mikesbookreviews
Like Mike's Book Reviews on Facebook / mikesbookreviews
Follow Mike on Instagram / zepp1978
------------------------------------------------------
Title & Outro music provided by Vivek Abhishek
/ @vivekabhishek
Music used: "Dark Horror Theme" originally composed and produced by "Vivek Abhishek"
• [No Copyright Music] D...
------------------------------------------------------
Theme music provided by Infraction
/ @infraction
Music used: Epic (No Copyright Music)
infractionroyaltyfreemusic.ba...
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0(CC BY 3.0)
creativecommons.org/licenses/...
------------------------------------------------------
#MikesBookReviews #TheGirlNextDoor #JackKetchum

[@nightmarishcompositions4536]

I’ve read 800+ horror books, and this is the only one I’m actually scared to read ever again. It traumatized me.

[@ConGamePro]

Can you share a list of must read horror books in your opinion? Thanks

[@BornNoU]

I’m reading it now for the first time; I thought nothing by Ketchum could upset me after “right to life” and the Dead River trilogy. I was wrong. I’m barely 50% into the book and I’ve been a type of uncomfortable I cannot name even until this point, where Meg is just beginning to go through the cellar tortures. Right to Life is also based on a true crime story (Colleen Stan), but though it was disturbing, it didn’t hit me the same way as The Girl Next Door (based on Sylvia Likens). Maybe because the victim is a child in TGND, or because many of the perpetrators and our narrator are children, it is just such a more horrific tale. Being in the mind of a killer who thinks they are innocent is worse than being in the mind of the victimized heroine

[@tomahawkchop7669]

When I sent the book to you I debated for a long time because it doesn't pull any punches. I think you handled the review very, very good!!!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks again!

[@dissociatenannotate9649]

This book made me so depressed because it’s based on a true story. I cried and it hasn’t left my mind since.

[@grimreads]

To me, the scariest part in the book is that you, like the main character, keeps reading what is happening and wants to see what comes next. Also, when he fades too black it is even more frightening (some of his earlier books, like Off Season, were way more violent)

[@DILLIS_]

Underrated comment, I didn't think of this

[@marycronin9518]

I'm glad you posted this because I finished the book yesterday and have had nonstop panic attacks. Very dark, beautiful writing at times, but I probably shouldn't have read it now.

[@davidk6482]

I just finished this book and I couldn't be happier to have it end. If you're looking for a story that delves into the deep abyss of human depravity, this is it. As a reader, i couldn't feel much more helpless than this. Like Mike said , it's hard to "like" this book but you can appreciate the craft. I'll just never get myself to read this again though.

[@tedwunderlich2741]

In a strange way, sometimes reading a book like this can actually provide some perspective for me during a particularly rough time, because when you contrast it to what’s happening in your own life, your own life doesn’t seem that bad all of a sudden, and you feel some gratitude for that. Sort of a “negative escape” which would seem contradictory on the surface, but I think it’s an important thing to do. Bc both the positive and negative escape are temporary, so when you return to your own life, youre contrasting that against what you read, and sometimes going from the positive escape back into the negative reality can be a little depressing, so sometimes it’s useful to escape into something way, way, way worse for a little bit, bc now your negative reality looks a lot more positive in comparison. The Road was like this for me too. Both have their place imo

[@scrumjohnson]

I just finished the audiobook read by Ketchum. You're right about needing to be in a good place mentally, this story gets so dark. I'm left with a really bleak feeling at the end. This is exactly the kind of horror that gets to me. Monsters can't hurt you, but people have been hurting each other for a very long time.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, I found myself staring blankly at the wall a few times ha ha

[@reginaldforthright805]

Mother Nature will hurt you real bad too.

[@ninapeterson8241]

Hm, this is an interesting idea, audio versus reading…. Might have to try the audio like you did

[@AtticsTV]

So fun story. When I was young (7/8), I was HUGE into goosebumps, and reading in general. When my parents went to a garage sale, they bought a box of horror novels, which had most of the Goosebump books, a bunch of other RL Stine, Christopher Pike, and stuff like that. And I vividly remember a book called The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum (the cover of the cheerleader with the skull for a face). I never got to reading it, but always remembered the cover. Skip forward 15 years, and I decide to finally read the book. HOLY SHIT am I glad I never read it when I got it as a kid.

[@reginaldforthright805]

Would you have read it or stopped when you realized how bad it was?

[@AtticsTV]

At that age, I probably wouldn't have realized how bad everything was until it got to the REALLY bad parts. Then, honestly at that point now that I think about it... I might not have thought it was that bad because I wouldn't have really understood it. Who knows.

[@louisyank5326]

That is exactly why Ketchum hated that cheerleader cover, glad you waited to read it

[@tokyoreads4019]

Very well said. This is a very articulate, fair review, especially for a book which content and ‘inspiration’, if you will, is quite polarizing . This thoughtfulness and honestly is why I really trust your reviews. I’m team ignorance is bliss for this one, but without the discussion of this book I wouldn’t have known of the true story. Though the subject matter is disturbing, the fact it brings awareness to a deep injustice just by the fact we’re all having conversations about it is a huge part of what books/art are about.

[@steventhayer3588]

Awesome you brought back last year's intro and the grainy film footage look! I love spooky season! 👻🎃🦇🏚🕷💀

[@alynam82]

Great Review!! I think you discussed this exactly the way I felt when I read this. It's a guilty pleasure. Something you know is so bad that it's good. Like a severe train wreck or car accident but you can't look away. Gotta see how bad the damage was. That's human nature, to want to explore something like that.

[@evermoremystic17]

You did such a brilliant job with the spoiler free aspects of the book review Mike! Finished the first chapter and I’m still clueless about what you were talking about here. 😄 I’m half afraid of continuing - but I will continue!

[@clairesayers7727]

I've just finished this book and agree totally with your review. It was hard reading and I felt like I had been through the emotional wringer by the time I put it down. I'm glad I read it but it will stay with me for a long time and I could never recommend it to anyone else .

[@mayzo51184]

I feel the same way.

[@reginaldforthright805]

If you could erase it from your memory banks would you?

[@aras_teddy]

​@@reginaldforthright805 yes 💀

[@Johanna_reads]

You did an amazing job making me appreciate a book I shouldn’t read!

[@fangs1972]

I'm not going to read the book, but I think this is the first review video of yours I've watched from beginning to end :)

[@brianl6151]

Keep watching the content all the way through, quality videos and opportunity to find new interesting suggestions.

[@BrandonsBookshelf]

hey man! just found your channel, very inspired. man I need to try out more horror, thanks for the rec!

[@jamessmithfitness309]

The Girl Next Door is 3rd in my most disturbing books list and The Girl Next Door is in my top 5 books of all time. The only books that are more disturbing than The Girl Next Door are Survivor by JF Gonzalez and The Groomer by Jon Athan. Jon Athan writes fantastic extreme horror and dark/disturbing fiction with great plots and character development. The Groomer is so terrifying that my heart was racing several times when reading. My heart broke for Sylvia Likens. Reading about Meg and Susan, made me think about Sylvia and I wanted to somehow time travel and help her. I feel like Jack Ketchum had Stephanie Baniszewski in mind when writing David. Stephanie was the one that attempted to de-escalate Sylvia's abuse by taking things out of Gertrude's hands to stop Gertrude from beating Sylvia. Stephanie was with Sylvia in the end, as David is with Meg. Stephanie found Sylvia not breathing and attempted to resuscitate her. Stephanie is still alive and she is 71. Stephanie lives in Florida. Paula lives in Iowa, and I can't even imagine what the sons and daughters of the Baniszewski children have to go through, all of the questions and comments.

[@marianemes72]

Perfect. For me the only similar books to these (like affecting your mood, and making you feel wrecked) are Death Is My Trade by Robert Merle and The Devil of Nanking by Mo Hayder. The latter one is heartbreaking.

[@boydstallings6004]

This book put me into shock. I felt nothing from it after reading it. All the emotions revieled themselves when i woke up the next morning to see that my dog was dying... i had nightmares about that dog trying to kill me right before death. A few years later and im still recovering

[@chadjarnigan214]

i was in the similar situation as you Mike, the hype surrounding the book and the content kept it on my TBR for almost 2 years before i decided to give it a go. I had read horror, and extreme horror books but knowing this story actually happened added an element to the story that is hard to find anywhere else. I also hated everyone in this book (the bad people of course is the ones i refer to)as i feel most people will, and you have to take the story for what it is and like you said separate it from the true events because they are different while trying to be the same. I listned to the audio book which is narrated by Jack Ketchum and he does an amazing job with it, i mean top notch. I will say this though speaking strictly from the story and NOT the true events, i didnt feel like the book was as bad as people were saying it was, now it was bad and it did break my heart man, but i felt like alot of the hype didnt live up to the over the top hype it received. TO be more specific, i went into it expecting to DNF the book because not being able to handle the content, and instead found the story so gripping that i listened to it in one day. I dont want anyone to think this content is in anyway easy to read because it is not, i do feel that the true story was even more horrific and this book just could not embody those events, but the way Ketchum made the story feel, was excellent. It has been the only book i have read by him but i intend to read more. I think Mike nails this review over a sensitive subject and is correct when he says do NOT read this book unless you are happy before page one, because by the end you wont be for several days.

[@Phobophile]

It's a hell of a book, for sure. One of my favorites, but yeah, very disturbing. The sad thing is, when I dug into the true story behind it, I feel like Ketchum actually pulled some punches, believe it or not, because the real story got to me even more than the book did (and not just because it was the true version).

[@BookBlather]

Great review of a tough book to discuss. Not a real life “protagonist” per se, but one of my viewers mentioned that he thought David was somewhat based on Stephanie Baniszewski, which I thought was a pretty astute observation. Don’t want to spoil here, but she did do a number of things similar to how David behaved.

[@theguyinthefunnyhat]

Oh man. I read this in a week. It's a page turner in the wrong kind of way. So many Booktubers have recommended it, so I read it. My younger brother - who is handicapped - actually watched it against my warning, and it scarred him. Don't go into it thinking it's the story of Sylvia Likens because it's not. It takes what happened and makes it into its own story. The hardest pill to swallow was the fact that the story is told from the point of view of a child who played innocent throughout the whole thing. While he didn't do anything directly to Meg, the fact he remained silent - which I felt was against his character - just made it that much harder to follow. Its visceral depictions of torture seem unrelenting, and when you think you've got the stomach to carry on, it sucker punches you hard. I'd recommend it.

[@arthur8013]

Just finished this, a deeply upsetting and disturbing book that hammers home the moral and systemic failures that made what happend possible. You want the protagonist to snap and tell someone, anyone else but you also know he probably won't be believed. It's a great book about evil being a moral contagion and about how just because you're not doing anything doesn't mean you're in the right.

[@danielmarlett1421]

I read this for the first time this year as well. Your thoughts are spot on.

[@theentertainmenthideoutlynne39]

Hello Mike I'm going to start listening to the audio book of The Girl Next door tonight!!!

[@greenhulk1982]

I read true crime books before that are equally disturbing Those books have already prepared me being broken in will help when reading Jack Ketchum’s The Girl Next door.

[@benjaminkennedy5083]

Great review. Definitely the most disturbing book I’ve ever read. I liked it though, it proved there’s somebody else out there that’s as scary as Stephen King

[@websterkntz7]

I haven't read this, but I have read LET'S GO PLAY AT THE ADAMS', which is apparently quite similar. The book was recently re-released by Valancourt Books. I'd recommend that book, though it is also a very difficult book.

[@anna_rn]

Good review and good points. True crime and crimes against children are always so hard to read but at the same time I agree with you. People need to know where they are getting themselves into. Although I am familiar with the real-life crime that influenced this book and the fact that in my career I’ve seen my share of horrors people can do to adults and children, I think I’m going to pass on this one. I remember feeling emotional just listening to a true crime podcast about this story. I’d rather stick with Cthulhu, demonic possessions, pennywise, and other monsters for now.

[@martinjg3662]

Well I got this book at the second hand shop for my partner, I thought, 'oh that's a movie, might be a good read'. I didn't know what the story was then. but she does not like horror and she is very empathetic so I won't be pushing her to read this one!

[@TheHumbleRoots]

Absolutely the most Vile book I have ever read. I would rather be drowned in horse piss than read it again. And don’t fall back and say we need to bring these things to light. That being said one of the most thorough reviews I’ve ever seen on the book. Great Channel. Great Content.

[@jackwalter5970]

I only read about 100 pages. The writing was great, but I couldn't bring myself to experience it.

[@chadjones487]

I read it last week and just googled the story. I was surprised to see this happened where I live and that I've never heard of it before now.

[@fictionalreality1010]

Is it just ME? The crow flying on Mikes t-shirt...too cool 😎

[@normski0457]

Just finished The Lost by Ketchum, and what you say about this book resonates. Started Stranglehold yesterday and again, Ketchum shows how screwed up people can be.

[@supernorry3847]

It sounds so intresting, i gotta read this sometimes but i am not really a horror reader so its hard to pick it up and read it instead of the hundreds of other books i have at home AND YOU DONT EVEN RECOMMEND IT now i am scared :D..... I really wonder what would you rate it on the scary scale you had last year

[@si85451]

I knew nothing about this book (including that it was loosely based on a true story) when I started reading it. If I had have known, I'd never have opened it. Extremely disturbing.

[@jmzzz1]

I read the book, and enjoyed it. Even though I knew it was inspired by true events, I didn't find it THAT disturbing. I think that's because in the past couple years I've read news stories about equally horrific things - Brother killing brother, child killing parent (a 17 year old killed his mother because she took away his cell phone), parents killing their own children. Horrible things happen.

[@mayzo51184]

You know...I had heard of this book from several groups on Facebook and everyone was recommending it. I also heard this was made into a pretty bad movie that I never saw and I don't know if I'd honestly want to watch it. I did hear it was based on a true story or true events but knowing nothing about the case it had been based on, when I happened to stumble across it, I figured Okay I'll check this out. boy was I surprised at how far he went with this one though. At one point, I knew where he was going and my heart was racing. I almost stopped reading it. I too was relieve that he describe the rest of that scene. I see what you mean though about the coming of age stuff. I sort of got It vibes with the book and how it started. I don't know if this would be a book that I would ever read again but I also agree that you need to be in the right headspace when reading it. hell it did stay with me and I went to bed after reading it and just felt horrible for a couple days after it. Great review. I don't think this book's for everyone including not every horror fan but I was glad I read it. I might do some research though into the real case this was based on. Again, great review and I'll catch you in the next one!

[@mgelliott1]

LOL. You initially say I recommend, but don't read, then ends with read if you are in a good place. "Don't open that door". "Don't eat the fruit from that tree." LOL. Ok my friend, I am ordering and reading the book now. Human nature. Hopefully, I don't end up in a straight jacket, drooling in the corner. Newer sub here. Love your channel.

[@johnscott6481]

Doesn't seem like horror, more like torture porn...doesn't seem like slog is justified by quality..which is always a guide for me.

[@HeXen1900]

Spot on review again Mike about a great/horrible book. Mr Ketchum had written some very interesting books.

[@tiananesbitt7156]

Gosh TRIP TO THE MOON is over a hundred years old. Too funny HBO has it! Sad. Chilling. If I want those punctured feels.

[@nikkivenable3700]

I read this book in my early 30’s and could handle it...but now I’m in my late 40’s and I have lost my appetite for stories such as this. I’m not sure why.

[@Patrick.__]

It's one of my favorite reads this year, but I won't be rereading it anytime soon.

[@greeneyedmonsterreview3093]

I didn't plan on reading The Girl Next Door, but all the hype got to me and I had to read it for myself. I actually saw the documentary years before I knew about the book. I told myself I wouldn't read the book because of how devastating the story was but I was destroyed all over again!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, it's a tough read.

[@hordolur]

I just finished this, I have nightmares now... good review and book, but man....

[@BenKellyMusic92]

It's one of those "Eugh I need a shower" kind of books 🤢

[@probablyhyperfixating]

Ah crap I do have the book.... But watched the movie a year ago. So I guess I have to really remove the facts I know from my brain. I do think theme movie shows how tortured Davey was throughout his life? It's awful. So sad. So very sad.

[@mikebruce3933]

So, I have to begin by saying I haven't read this one so my observations are second hand. Mike, your review was really interesting. People read horror fiction for lots of different reasons. One reason I read it is for the feeling of catharsis that's often a feature of a great horror tale. That kiss the ground feeling when you step off the rollercoaster or touch down after a bumpy flight. One of the big drivers of that and another reason to read horror is being safely scared. Now I don't think I heard you say once that this book scared you. No doubt it horrified you and from the sounds of it, revolted you? So thanks for a great review but I don't think I'll be reading this one. If I want that kind of content, I think I would rather read a factual work and goodness knows, the true crime racks are full of those. Cheers man, hope you get what sounds like the bad taste out of your mouth soon.

[@Joshua47674]

Just read it today, I don't think it's as bad as all of the reviews make it out to be, I wouldn't recommend it to just anybody though

[@harveywickens2447]

I'd love to know your thoughts on the movie too. Which fyi tbh is just as messed up as the book

[@tbandelt13]

Loved the spooky season opening

[@esliet]

I’m starting it tomorrow. I think I’m ready

[@SuperStrangSshadow]

I think my fave author King has blurbed my whole horror book collection.

[@lifestyle7936]

The author did a great job focusing on the main plot. That’s something Stephan king lacks in my opinion. He does too many back flashes

[@cmmosher8035]

I read it a few years before the movie came out so its been about 15 years. I have been curious to see if it holds up because it was certainly the most impactful Ketcham book i have read. Btw, i love King but I also find his recommendations spotty.

[@lukeskywalker6809]

Agreed. King has a very strange taste in books.

[@TH3F4LC0Nx]

Yo this book was brutal. :(

[@lukeskywalker6809]

My Dad (81) just read it and said it was very good. I read the true story and it was more than enough for me.

[@user-hx1ob7sl8o]

It's more sad than gruesome. I thought it was actually quite anodyne. Maybe because I study crime and also have read too many extreme horrors. I gave the book 2/5*.

[@zachtonight75]

Man, I bet even Stephen King would look at Jack Ketchum and go "Damn, boy!" LMAO!

[@sunshine_tidings6983]

The movie made me so upset I fast forwarded most of the second half. I don't think I could ever bring myself to read the book.

[@williamferrara188]

Fair and balanced review.

[@travelagent1279]

That was a capital child abuse incident

[@kyrilson71]

I read it once. And it is “good” but not good for the content. If you know what I mean. It is the rare book that I will never reread.

[@mikesanders9267]

I don’t think “enjoy” is the proper word. I think it should be appreciated for what it is.

[@SolSkinn]

I had my husband read this and he wouldn't speak to me for a week after. I don't think it's a bad book. I think the author accomplished what he wanted to. It was effective.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It'll definitely get a reaction out of the reader.

[@khyzarus7745]

Can you ease in the outro music next time? Felt a bit harsh

[@mikesbookreviews]

I’ll get right on that, boss.

[@Iza56]

I'm getting in from my library next week 😉 Edit: read it, didn't like it, gave it 2 stars.

[@prettywomansemberg9]

A dont like this damm DAVID in this book 😢😢 hes do Nothing to Helping Maggie!!! Am soo pisst of it!

[@junehiss2800]

this was worse for me then tender is the flesh

[@em_kit]

i took a break from that book to read this one,,, not really the best idea on my end

[@vichetthim5223]

Is it as bad a a little life????.

[@anyonymswede]

I think it wrong to do a horror book about child abuse. I will never read it.

[@devilwhite7185]

No

[@swisswatermethod1781]

The film adaptation is good 👍🏼

[@mikebrough3434]

What disturbed me the most is that you, the reader, become complicit in the crime, just by turning the pages.

[@juanitastripling3253]

I hated the book and the Netflix movie was even worse.

[@NamasteBbooktube]

Think I'll skip this one.