Laughing Boy Shadowby Steven Savile
Cover: Robert Sammelin
Genre: Horror
A little context I think. This is not a new book, Steve has just released it as an ebook but it was published as a paperback for a while. It was written in his 20's, shortly before he abandoned Newcastle, where the novel is set. There is an afterword in the paperback that talks about this, sadly it's not included in the ebook. I lived in Newcastle for a few years in the late 90's and there were days when I could recognise the City Steve describes here.
The best horror's, the ones that give you shivers days later are the ones that are not just grim and scary but are bleak. Laughing Boy's Shadow is definitely bleak. The book takes all the darkness, despair and brutality that is the worst of a city filters it through angry, desperate & bitter and spews it at you. It's relentless, the rare moments of relief snatched away suddenly and almost making everything else darker for offering a glimpse of something else. Everything decaying and vile about a city is exposed here.
Savile's work has improved over the years, as you'd expect, his natural feel for language and love of wordplay refined, his plotting cleaner, his character's more clearly motivated. LBS is a little more raw but it suits the story, the slight rough edges adding to the sense of brutality and desperation in the story. The story is that of a city destroying itself. There is a supernatural element but the real horror is in the choices Declan Shea makes and the impact they have on those around him. There is nothing positive here, no hope, no neat good defeats evil, drag it out into the sunshine ending, just the dark and the shadows. It's actually rather brilliant. It deserves time and concentration, not one to be rushed through.
It's available on Amazon for Kindle or from Crossroad Press as an e-pub, pdf, prc (mobipocket) and mobi (for a pittance).
I am giving away a copy of any Crossroad Press version to one commenter. You have till friday, it's obviously international and all you need to do is tell me your fave horror book or movie in the comments on this post.
6 comments:
It sounds very interesting-- but the cover looks fantastic! If I saw it, I would buy it just because of it and I don't do that... but it is just so nice that I feel like caressing it and going all "My Precious" on it *snort*
You don't have to count me in, I've never read horror I think-- unless you count Goosebumps, and Fear Street =P hehe
Love the cover of that, and would be very interested to read it.
My favourite *book*, ever (horror or otherwise) is 'Salem's Lot by Stephen King. Reading it was revelatory. I can still remember the first two paragraphs of chapter six clearly, and that's a rare thing.
hey both, it's an excellent cover. Steve collaborated with Robert Sammelin on a graphic novel version of a short story too. It's beautiful, self published through lulu I think, called Fragrance of You.
My favourite ever review was for the Swedish edition (the first published) of this book, in Bonniers Literary Magazine, which at the time was the biggest and most prestigious review venue in Scandinavia. It said, and I remember it vividly 'why would anyone want to write a book like this? you come away feeling dirty.'
that is a superb review and apt, although I am glad personally that you wrote it. I like the occasional wallow in misery. ;p
Favourite horror movie would have to be Ringu (not the North American remake, but the original Japanese version.) I find the Japanese tend to have a better flair for horrow that appeals to me, moreso than a lot of the jump-scare movies made in America. Not too sure about horror novel, because in truth I haven't read many. If horror video games count, my favourites have to be the Fatal Frame series. :p
Just mentioning Newcastle makes me a little homesick, since I was born not far from there and have gone back many times on holiday to visit family. It would be nice to take a mental trip home if I win a copy of this book, even if it is a dark one.
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