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Book Review: The Vessel by Adam L. G. Nevill

The Vessel by Adam L.G. Nevill.

Ritual Limited, 2022

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1739788612

Available: Paperback, Audible, Kindle edition.   ( Bookshop.org | Amazon.com )

 

 

Another Adam Nevill novel means another few days lost in the dark mind of the author.

 

Each of Nevill”s stories is unique. He moves swiftly with a deft hand in unexpected directions. Readers can expect from this author that the same path won’t be tread twice. Nevill’s gorgeous writing embraces the reader with descriptions that recall the best of Ramsey Campbell, Peter Straub, and Shirley Jackson, yet in a style that is entirely his own.

 

This time around, his folk horror stylings bring the reader to Nerthus House,  the home of an elderly woman,  in the middle of a village that, of course, becomes a major character itself..

 

The home of Flo Gardner holds many secrets, especially the garden out back. Flo’s life contains dark shadows that are revealed slowly, a major win in a work this short. She is suffering from dementia, yet has her moments of clarity– and violence.

 

Jess takes the job of caring for Flo, sharing the position with a miserable woman and dealing with a boss who appears to lack much of a soul. Flo doesn’t speak to Jess, and barely survives on the bland food and sustenance the house provides for her. Where is Flo’s family? That unfolds as Jess works the job that nobody else can handle.

 

Jess keeps the position, as she desperately needs the money to escape a horribly manipulative ex-husband and start a new life with her daughter Izzy, a young girl who seems to keep her own heart free from the darkness of others. Soon, Jess brings Izzy to work in the evenings out of necessity. Something awakens in Flo. Does it need her alive, or does what lurks within desire something more?

 

What ensues brings a literary payoff that elicits true horror, but with the finesse only a true master can accomplish. The story clocks in at only 173 pages, shorter than is typical for Nevill, but between the covers he manages to paint an atmospheric novel that feels much bigger than it is. His writing coaxes the reader to take their time and imbibe the darkly sweet imagery. The length is just enough to allow the fractured characters to be affected by the house and what plagues Flo.

 

An utterly enveloping read, The Vessel is unlike all other Adam Nevill books yet is exactly what his fans expect: a near perfect story. 

 

Hopefully, the rest of the world will catch on to this fine author.

 

Highly recommended, as always.

 

Reviewed by David Simms

 

Posted on December 31, 2022 by , Reply

Book Review: The Mammoth Book of Folk Horror: Evil Lives on in the Land! edited by Stephen Jones

The Mammoth Book of Folk Horror: Evil Lives on in the Land! edited by Stephen Jones

Skyhorse, 2021

ISBN-13: 9781510749863

Available: Paperback, Kindle edition ( Bookshop.org  | Amazon.com)

 

 

Folk horror is finally getting the attention it deserves. Ancient traditions and practices, crumbling buildings surrounded by nature that has reclaimed the land, rituals that call down the gods, myths and legends coming to life. All of these and more can be found in the pages of The Mammoth Book of Folk Horror edited by Stephen Jones, acclaimed author and editor of horror and dark fantasy. While a relatively new term, folk horror has existed for much longer than this subgenre’s name.

 

This anthology contains many great tales of folk horror, old and new. The following are some of my favorites. “Jenny Greenteeth” by Alison Littlewood, set in the wartime English countryside, is the story of a young girl named Alice, an evacuee sent to live with a family that has two young daughters, Olivia and Betty. Olivia torments Alice with tales of Jenny Greenteeth until the stories seem to come true. In M. R. James’ “Wailing Well,” two members of a troop of scouts do not take the warning of a local shepherd seriously about avoiding the field containing the titular well, let alone using the water from it. Michael Marshall’s “The Offering,” set in Copenhagen, concerns a family on vacation staying in an Airbnb. When wife Lauren throws about a bowl of mysterious gray porridge in the refrigerator, Bill soon finds a sacrifice is made to the proper guardian of the house. Could it be the Nisse? “Gavin’s Field” by Steve Rasnic Tem tells of the titular character inheriting his father’s estate, but he discovers he should have done his homework on the property, and the town. “The Fourth Call” by the amazing Ramsey Campbell is my favorite story in the anthology. Mike returns to Leanbridge alone during Christmastime. He is drawn to the neighboring property, formerly owned by the Bundle family. When Mike tries to bring up the strange holiday tradition practiced in the village, longtime family friends, the Darlingtons, insist no such thing happened.

 

Other authors in this anthology include Algernon Blackwood, Christopher Fowler, Maura McHugh, Arthur Machen, Karl Edward Wagner, Simon Strantzas, Mike Chinn, David A. Sutton, H.P. Lovecraft, Kim Newman, Jan Edwards, Storm Constantine, Dennis Etchison, and Reggie Oliver. Included at the beginning of each entry is a write up of the author’s brief biography and works, as well as beautifully eerie black and white photography by Michael Marshall Smith.

 

The Mammoth Book of Folk Horror is a must-read for fans of folk horror, or new readers dipping their toes into the bog of the subgenre. Highly recommended.

 

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Posted on September 22, 2022 by , Reply

Book Review: The Crying Forest by Venero Armanno

Cover art for The Crying Forest by Veneno Armanno

( Bookshop.org | Amazon.com )

The Crying Forest by Venero Armanno

IFWG Publishing Australia, 2021

ISBN-13: 9781925956559

Available: Paperback, Kindle

 

Paul Munro and his young daughter Lía move from Hong Kong into a large country house in Australia. It becomes clear early on that Lía is more than what she appears. She sees things and has a power that others want to harvest for themselves. Agata Rosso, an ancient Italian witch, is one such individual. She used to hold so much power, but that power, and her youth, are long gone for her and her ailing husband, Giancarlo. Another party interested in restoring his vitality and power is the lecherous and wealthy Karl Haberman. After Agata Rossa endears herself to Karl by way of offering him something of a youth elixir, presented to him by a mutual acquaintance, Donatello Zappavigna. The old wretch and the aged witch join forces to track down the rich source of power in their midst.

 

Venero Armanno’s folk horror combines a good mystery, interesting characters, and both inhuman and very human monsters. I found myself unable to put the book down, while at the same time needing to take breaks to properly digest the chapters. Most of the characters are multifaceted, especially Donatello. I could go from having immense sympathy for him in one chapter, and absolutely hating him in the next. I liked discovering more about Lía as the story progressed, including details about her previous schooling and why she had to leave the hallowed halls of that school. She’s full of mystery and surprises, and a strength that shines through even from the first pages. I would recommend this for adult readers who enjoy folk horror works.

There is a content warning that needs to be addressed. Karl Haberman has certain sexual appetites that are disturbing. When Agata Rossa tells him what kind of person he needs to look for to pinpoint their target, it is revealed Karl has a liking for young girls.

Contains: blood, sex, pedophilia

 

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Posted on January 25, 2021 by , Reply
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