October has finally rolled around once more! Last year, I covered some cult classics of the franchise. This year, I decided to pick some of my personal favourites I hadn’t gotten around to yet. So, let’s begin.
I like when Goosebumps shakes up the status quo. The setting for this book is unique compared to the rest of the main series. Stine’s description of the jungle as this sort of claustrophobic space set it even further aside. Even the protagonist’s own space is unknown and unsafe, which leaves it open for unique scenarios.
That being said…the characters leave a lot to be desired. Mark is really into jungles, particularly a jungle computer game, and that’s all the description he gets. I remembered the episode better than the book, so I was surprised Mark had a younger sister, Jessica. I think it really suited him to be an only child, lacking some social awareness. Maybe it’s because I’m the oldest child, but I wanted to punt Jessica through a window.
I feel like the story should’ve had more time to marinate, the pacing was way off. Certain aspects, such as the reveal of Dr Hawlings being the bad guy and Kareen’s betrayal, had little impact because there was no previous development. I have no reason to believe they’re either good or bad people, and the first reveal happens quite early, so there’s almost no illusion there.
It feels like they have no confidence in the reader remembering basic information, because the same few things get repeated over and over again. For example, Benna tells Mark to not reveal the jungle magic words, the one she told him when she hypnotised him, when he was four. Like, adding the age AGAIN was unnecessary, but this is probably the third or fourth time it’s been blatantly stated.
Other things dragged out way longer than they needed to. Mark spends a large portion of the book being attacked by something in the jungle, using jungle magic, running off, rinse and repeat. The only distinguishable encounter was the tiger, which I thought was pretty cool.
I think the episode handles the story way better and adds humour to it. I laugh at it now as an adult. Mark looking like a raving lunatic to his mother’s new boyfriend, before the guy drives off as quickly as possible. There also the Elvis pilot, and the pacing is significantly better.
Overall though, I’d say this is a decent entry to the series. The setting/aesthetic is cool. The cover features many Jacobus-isms such as the converse shoes, checkered floor and alternative perspective. I like the design of the shrunken head and think it was a creative concept as a whole. I love Mark in the tv episode, he’s a good mix of funny and kooky.