Alex Weller’s Reviews > Bird Box > Status Update

Just read Chapter Thirty-Seven. At dinner, Malorie finally reveals to the housemates that she saw Gary's notebook. Though Gary explains he just wanted to understand how Frank thought, the others grow concerned. The housemates, all but Don, ultimately vote to evict Gary from the house. Gary leaves, and Don storms down to the cellar in rage. So, uh, things won't get any worse from here, will they?

Just read Chapter Thirty-Five. It's been a week since Tom and Jules left, and Malorie is still thinking about Gary's notebook. Fearing that telling individual housemates would result in violence, she decides to tell them altogether. But she is stopped at the last minute when Tom and Jules finally return, having retrieved a phone book. But Gary appears to know Malorie was reading the notebook. Uh oh!

Just read Chapter Thirty-Four. Back in the past, Malorie sneaks to the dining room at night to look inside Gary's briefcase. On looking at the notebook inside, she realizes that Gary was actually the crazy housemate who believed the creatures were harmless. Worried Gary might approach her, she returns the briefcase and goes back upstairs. Looks like we've finally met our villain. Uh oh!

Just read Chapter Thirty-Three. Back in the present, Malorie remembers a blindfolded trip she took with Victor to a bar, back when the kids were babies. They hoped to retrieve microphones and amplifiers to upgrade their alarm system. After several failed attempts, they got there and retrieved the objects, but Victor saw something in the cellar, went mad, and violently mutilated himself to death. Holy shit!

Just read Chapter Thirty-Two. Tom and Jules, accompanied by the huskies, leave for a three-mile trip to Tom's house to search for supplies, which sends the housemates into a panic. Before leaving, Tom encourages Malorie to act as a leader while he's gone. As the housemates panic, Malorie reminds them there are things to be done around the house. As the housemates get to work, Malorie hopes for the best.

Just read Chapter Thirty-One. Gary's arrival has divided the house; while some are scared of him, Don is intrigued by Gary's friend's theories about the creatures being harmless, which concerns Malorie. Meanwhile, Tom and Felix measure how many of Tom's steps are in a mile. Malorie notices the briefcase Gary brought with him, concerned about what may be inside it. Who is Gary, and what could he be up to?

Just read Chapter Thirty. Back in the past, as Cheryl leaves the house to feed the birds, she hears them make alarmed chirps. Then something touches her shoulder, and she crunches a leaf beneath her foot as she panics. She can't remember if there was a tree by the front walk, and goes inside panicking. Malorie hears her tell Felix about it and wonders if the things they fear are closing in on them.

Just read Chapter Twenty-Nine. Back in the present, Malorie wakes up to discover the children have been rowing while she was passed out, and even managed to free the boat after it got stuck again. Now rested and feeling better, Malorie gets back to rowing, proud that she trained the children enough to survive alone for a while, but scared that they missed their destination and came very close to danger.

Just read Chapter Twenty-Eight. Gary tells the group his story: He was staying at the house of his brother's friend, who started training people to fight against the enemy. One housemate, Frank, was insane and believed the creatures were harmless. When his housemates decided to find Frank and kill him after he undraped their windows, Gary left. His story divides the group, who either sympathize with or fear him.

Just read Chapter Twenty-Seven. Back in the past, the housemates are awaken by knocking on the front door. It's a man named Gary, who says he had to leave his house after the people there got violent and has been living outside for days. The housemates are skeptical about him, and when they vote on a decision, Malorie breaks a tie to vote yes. Gary is taken in and everyone eventually goes back to bed.