Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead

Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead cover
Good Books rating 3.1
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Technical
  • ID: 11571
  • Added: 2026-03-10
  • Updated: 2026-03-10
  • ISBN: 9780984469314
  • Publisher: New York Review of Books
  • Published: 2010-11-01
  • Reviews: 3

Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead tells the story of the Willoweed family and the peculiar English village they inhabit. The narrative begins with a flood, ducks swimming in the drawing-room windows, and a series of bizarre and gruesome deaths that plague the villagers. The novel's unique voice weaves a text that is as wonderful as it is horrible, as beautiful as it is cruel. Originally published in 1954, this overlooked small masterpiece is a blend of dark humor and tragedy, offering a twisted and tragicomic exploration of life and death./n/nThe book's distinctive style and darkly comedic tone set it apart, making it a compelling read for those who enjoy unconventional narratives. The Willoweed family's experiences and the village's strange events create a haunting and memorable story that lingers long after the last page.

Reviews
Reading Matters Blog · Anonymous · 2024-04-26
unsettling 1.00

The story is described as morbid and ghoulish, blending the domestic with the surreal. The reviewer did not particularly enjoy it due to its distant narrative style.

The reviewer found the book's tone to be unsettling, with a mix of the everyday and the surreal that didn't resonate with them. The narrative's distance and almost detached perspective were particularly off-putting. They felt the story was more focused on the grotesque than on character depth or emotional engagement, making it a challenging read.


Quick quotes

    It's an odd story, morbid and often ghoulish, a mixture of the domestic with the surreal.

    I didn't like it very much, nor the distant, almost detached perspective.

    The story is more focused on the grotesque than on character depth or emotional engagement.

JacquiWine's Blog · JacquiWine · 2021-05-11
loved 4.50

The book is loved for its macabre tone and eccentric family, ranking among the reviewer's top three reads.

JacquiWine is a big fan of this book, particularly its macabre tone and the eccentric family at its center. They find it quintessentially Comyns and place it among their top three reads. The reviewer appreciates the book's unique style and its ability to blend the dark and the whimsical in a way that feels both authentic and engaging.


Quick quotes

    I love this book, that macabre tone and the eccentric family are just classic Comyns.

    It's definitely one of my top three.

    The reviewer appreciates the book's unique style and its ability to blend the dark and the whimsical in a way that feels both authentic and engaging.

Goodreads · Anonymous · 2010-11-01
tragicomic 3.80

The book is praised as a twisted, tragicomic gem, though the reviewer acknowledges it might not appeal to everyone.

This reviewer sees the book as a hidden gem, appreciating its unique blend of tragedy and comedy. They admit it might not be for everyone, but they find its twisted narrative and tragicomic elements compelling. The story's dark humor and sharp commentary on society are highlighted as particularly noteworthy.


Quick quotes

    This 'overlooked small masterpiece' is a twisted, tragicomic gem.

    Oh well, maybe I am a fussbudget. I dunno.

    The story's dark humor and sharp commentary on society are highlighted as particularly noteworthy.