Deliverance

by James Dickey
Deliverance cover
Good Books rating 4.38
Adventure
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Format • £14.24
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  • ID: 5503
  • Added: 2025-10-24
  • Updated: 2026-03-04
  • ISBN: 9780385313872
  • Publisher: Delta
  • Published: 1976-01-01
  • Formats: 5
  • Reviews: 4

Deliverance is a gripping tale of four friends who venture into the untamed wilderness of the Georgia backcountry for a weekend of canoeing and camping. Their journey takes a dark turn when they encounter violent men who force them into a fight for their lives. The novel explores themes of survival, masculinity, and the brutality of nature, as the men must confront their deepest fears and instincts to make it out alive. /n/n Written by James Dickey, Deliverance is a classic adventure story that has captivated readers with its intense action and psychological depth. The novel delves into the complexities of human nature and the primal instincts that surface in extreme situations. It's a chilling reminder of the thin line between civilization and savagery.

Reviews
Rose Petals 1984 · Rose Petals · 2025-02-01
compelling 3.75

The narrative is compelling when it delves into the moral judgments of the characters and the tension of their situation.

Rose Petals found parts of Deliverance to be compelling, particularly when the narrative delves into the moral judgments of the characters and the tension of their situation. They appreciated the depth of the characters and the exploration of their inner struggles. However, they noted that the narrative can be uneven at times, with some parts feeling more engaging than others. Overall, Rose Petals's impression was positive, praising the book's strengths while acknowledging its occasional weaknesses.

Quick quotes

    I found parts of this narrative compelling when it hit its stride weighting the moral judgments of the men, describing the tension of being.

    The depth of the characters and the exploration of their inner struggles.

    The narrative can be uneven at times, with some parts feeling more engaging than others.

Cannonball Read · vel veeter · 2021-11-23
darkly 4.50

The book is darkly ironic and sinister, yet still very good. It leaves a lasting impression with its intense and profound themes.

The reviewer found Deliverance to be a deeply impactful read, praising its darkly ironic and sinister tone. They appreciated how the book's intense and profound themes left a lasting impression. The narrative's ability to convey a sense of foreboding and tension was particularly highlighted, making it a compelling and memorable experience. The reviewer's overall impression was highly positive, noting that the book's strengths outweigh any minor flaws.

Quick quotes

    So the book ends up feeling a lot more darkly ironic and sinister this time around, and still very very good.

    It leaves a lasting impression with its intense and profound themes.

    The narrative's ability to convey a sense of foreboding and tension was particularly highlighted.

Salty Kris · Kris · 2020-03-15
enjoyable 4.75

The book is highly enjoyable and is rated among the top novels of all time. It tells a tale of three men confronting nature and civilization.

Kris found Deliverance to be a highly enjoyable read, noting that it is rated among the top novels of all time. They appreciated the tale of three men confronting nature and civilization, which they found to be both engaging and thought-provoking. The reviewer highlighted the book's ability to explore the complexities of human nature and the challenges of survival in the face of adversity. Overall, Kris's impression was highly positive, praising the book's compelling narrative and deep themes.

Quick quotes

    I really enjoyed this book (for what it is worth, it is even rated among the top novels of all time on some lists).

    This is the tale of three men confronting nature and civilization.

    The book's ability to explore the complexities of human nature and the challenges of survival in the face of adversity.

The Duchess · 2011-10-26
powerful 4.50

Dickey's writing style is perfect for delivering the punch in the most effective way possible. Its dream-like, stream-of-consciousness approach adds to the overall impact.

The reviewer appreciates Dickey's unique writing style, which they describe as dream-like and almost stream-of-consciousness. This style is seen as perfect for delivering the book's powerful messages and emotional punches. The reviewer suggests that this approach makes the reading experience more immersive and impactful. They highlight how the writing effectively conveys the intensity and emotional depth of the story, making it a memorable read.

Quick quotes

    Dickey's writing style is perfect for delivering the punch in the most effective way possible.

    Its dream-like almost stream-of-consciousness adds to the overall impact.

    Dickey's writing style is perfect for delivering the punch in the most effective way possible.

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