Rating: 
Summary: Grizzly Allegory
Review: Under the Skin started out as a kind of titilating thrill ride and quickly took a U-turn into a quirky strange world that quickly got stranger and stranger. This is a book that I couldn't put down. Reading it wasn't overly pleasant, but I kept coming back for just a bit more and a bit more. Now that I've completed my reading, I'm intrigued by the ideas it presents. I find the allegory on how we accept or reject other people and ultimately relate to them to be fascinating. The human tendency can be to not see value in those with whom we don't relate to the point of regarding them as not really human. Michel Faber kind of sets this idea on its ear and makes us look at ourselves as human from a most bizarre angle, the outside looking in. Isserly is a great character. I've already cast Ashley Judd as the star in the movie in my head. I liked this book in the same way I liked the film Gattaca which dealt with genetic rascism. No doubt that this book is disquieting and not for the more conventional reader. But I liked it!
Rating: 
Summary: A good (but strange) read.
Review: I bought this book based on the reviews on Amazon.com. That was four months ago, and I've finally finished it. It was a really good book, but it takes a lot of patience. First of all, it's verrrrrrry slow. Second, it becomes redundant after the first couple of chapters. I set this book down for a month, and read a few books. Then I picked it up again and read some more, and set it down again. The last time I picked it up I was halfway through, and I read the last 150 pages in two days. I kept thinking throughout the entire novel "What is going on?!" I was hoping that the book was supposed to be that strange, and it wasn't ME who just wasn't getting it. However, the author is a genius at teasing you, and when I finally figured out what was happening, I was very intrigued. By the time you finish this book, you will agree with me. It's worth the wait to get to the climax of this unusual (but brilliant) novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Under The Skin (or A Most Mind-Numbing Novel)
Review: Hmmmm....where to begin? How about "Run as fast as you can from this book!", or "Never select a piece of reading material based solely on European reviews". To imply that this book was mind-numbing would be a mere understatement; in 30 years of reading for pleasure, I've never encountered such a repetitive collection of drivel. How many u-turns on fog-shrouded country roads did this author really believe the reader could endure? We KNOW that the main character prefers to drive by the potential passenger a couple of times before accepting/dismissing the encounter. However, is it imperative to have this tedious detail regurgitated chapter after chapter for our dining pleasure (Answer: Uhm, no). Bottom line: (1) the premise had potential, (2) the story turns watery and tired, and (3) the writing style perseveres to achieve an incredibly anesthetizing quality (it succeeds). Do yourself a favor (potential purchaser), and reread the classics gathering dust on your shelf; your cognitive function (along with your wallet) will be most appreciative.
Rating:
Summary: Intrigued then frustrated
Review: I bought this book because Amazon.com recommended it so highly. It hooked me right at the start. I immediately liked Isserly, the main character, and was almost obsessively intrigued by the creepy mystery at the novel's core. However, as Faber repeatedly would pull the dangling carrot out of my reach, I became frustrated. I think the book could have been as gripping and interesting if the reader were let in on a few secrets earlier (perhaps even from the beginning?). But, I must applaud Faber for his dark imaginings and making a very foreign different world crystal clear to me as a reader.
Rating:
Summary: Negative reviews have merit, but still a great read
Review: If your a sci-fi geek, you might not like this book. If you're easily disturbed, you might not like this book. If you love a good disturbing novel, try it out. The book does lack a certian amount of technical expertise in writing (it's is first novel, and it reads like one) as well as in the sci-fi element of it (some aspects just don't seem plausible. Even in the novel's sick little world.) Nonetheless, it is enganging and entertaining. Just stay away from the farm while you're reading it.
Rating: 
Summary: Although well-written, too disturbing for me
Review: Just a warning to people who don't enjoy horror (like me) - it's not until you're well into the book that the story suddenly explodes into a horror tale. No question that this book is well-written and engaging, but the imagery is graphic and honestly, pretty sick. The book subtly baits your interest with hints that something mysterious and unusual is going on...but you'll have no idea how horrific the situation is until it's too late. Perhaps this book redeems itself later on, but I won't be reading anymore of it. I love science fiction, but this book was way too disturbing for me.
Rating:
Summary: Shades of Cormac McCarthy's "Child of God."
Review: Can't ruin premise by detailing the analogy, but if you know Cormac McCarthy's small gem, "Child of God," you will find that Faber's excellent novel explores the same philosophical territory, forcing you to confront your own worldview to sympathize with an amoral protagonist. It's a testament to his powers as a writer that he bends genres (and I won't say which, a spoiler) to do it.
Rating:
Summary: Very Bizarre
Review: This has to be one of the most bizarre books I have ever read. Once I figured out what was going on, which actually took me a while, I realized what a brillant writer Faber is. If you choose to read this one...get ready!
Rating:
Summary: Genre Bending, Insightful Read
Review: Occasionally you pick up something, read it, and have no idea where exactly it fits in to the literary landscape. That's the case with Under The Skin. Is it urban fantasy, plain old literature, a thriller or science fiction? Or all of the above? Whatever you want to call Under The Skin, its a great read, reminiscent of fellow Scottish writer Iain Banks. Its eerie, clumsy at times and annoyingly vague at others but all this eventually works to Faber's advantage and the reader is left with an unforgettable story.
Rating:
Summary: Know what you want
Review: I was originally drawn to this book by the promise (as reflected by the ratings) of discovering a well written science fiction book. In that regard, this book was a disappointment - I found myself turning the pages only in the hope that the next chapter would enlighten me to the source of the rave reviews. As a fan of SF, I am quite capable of transporting myself to new/alien environments, but once in those environments I do expect a certain amount of logic to follow. I found this sorely missing from the narrative (e.g. how could they get established, obtain money, learn only limited parts of language/culture and remain totally ignorant of the rest, choose such a risky and convuluted way of obtaining their raw material, etc.). The two major problems I had though were 1) the senseless sexual tension that was generated between the driver and the passengers (what was that about?) and 2) the heavy handed and fault-ridden moralizing on the vegan question. Fault-ridden because of the their continuing argument about the intelligence of their feed, while at the same time hiding from them. Finally from the SF point of view, I believe it is a standard "policy" in the trade not to insert alien words in the text, saving their explanation only to the moment of their use. Like pulling a rabbit out of one's hat. At the risk of nobody finding this review useful, as there does seem to be a correlation between stars and usefulness, I award this (too-long) novel two stars! The positives being the character and atmospheric development. If you like SF, I would avoid this one. If you want to read a disturbing atmospheric novel that will turn you off meat for a while - go for it.
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