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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Creepy and slowly enthralling story of two travelers landing on a shifting island down the Danube, and realizing its inhabited by something outside their comprehension.
It's really brilliant atmospheric storytelling, and I can see why Lovecraft and others fell in love with it. Nature being out of whack is unsettling, and the narrator's rationalizations and eventual acceptance of the supernatural is on point (as he says, like a dentist pulling your tooth-- the truth is uncomfortable but you must eventually come to terms with the fact that a tooth is coming out).
Unfortunately, the ending is a real out-of-nowhere abrupt cop-out. I understand it is somewhat foreshadowed...but it still is far from even remotely a satisfying ending to the build up. It also struck me a little strange how easily the two characters leap to fourth-dimensional explanations for the phenomena on the island; I don't even think in my most paranoid states of mind that I'd jump to "well, naturally, it's other dimensions, you see."
Nevertheless, a spooky novella that has me adequately convinced that going outside is a dangerous pastime .
It's really brilliant atmospheric storytelling, and I can see why Lovecraft and others fell in love with it. Nature being out of whack is unsettling, and the narrator's rationalizations and eventual acceptance of the supernatural is on point (as he says, like a dentist pulling your tooth-- the truth is uncomfortable but you must eventually come to terms with the fact that a tooth is coming out).
Unfortunately, the ending is a real out-of-nowhere abrupt cop-out. I understand it is somewhat foreshadowed...but it still is far from even remotely a satisfying ending to the build up. It also struck me a little strange how easily the two characters leap to fourth-dimensional explanations for the phenomena on the island; I don't even think in my most paranoid states of mind that I'd jump to "well, naturally, it's other dimensions, you see."
Nevertheless, a spooky novella that has me adequately convinced that going outside is a dangerous pastime .
The best kind of horror is when you don't see what's coming after you. Alongside gorgeous descriptions of the Danube, this story speculates something otherworldly and ancient, leaving you with perfect scary story chills. Would recommend adding it to your Autumn reading list.
"The Willows" by Algernon Blackwood is a masterful piece of horror fiction that immerses the reader in a world of eerie mystery and supernatural terror. First published in 1907, this novella continues to captivate readers with its atmospheric prose and spine-tingling suspense.
The story follows two friends, who embark on a canoe trip down the Danube River and find themselves stranded on a remote island covered in willow trees. As they struggle to survive, they become increasingly aware of sinister forces lurking in the shadows, threatening their sanity and their very lives.
Blackwood's descriptive prose is mesmerizing, painting a vivid picture of the eerie landscape and the growing sense of dread that pervades the narrative. The isolation and vulnerability of the protagonists are palpable, as they confront forces beyond their comprehension.
What makes "The Willows" truly chilling is its ability to create a sense of unease and ambiguity that lingers long after the story has ended. Blackwood expertly blurs the lines between the natural and the supernatural, leaving the reader questioning what is real and what is imagined.
In conclusion, "The Willows" is a timeless classic of horror fiction that deserves its reputation as one of the greatest ghost stories ever written. With its atmospheric setting, compelling characters, and relentless sense of dread, this novella is sure to haunt readers long after they have turned the final page.
The story follows two friends, who embark on a canoe trip down the Danube River and find themselves stranded on a remote island covered in willow trees. As they struggle to survive, they become increasingly aware of sinister forces lurking in the shadows, threatening their sanity and their very lives.
Blackwood's descriptive prose is mesmerizing, painting a vivid picture of the eerie landscape and the growing sense of dread that pervades the narrative. The isolation and vulnerability of the protagonists are palpable, as they confront forces beyond their comprehension.
What makes "The Willows" truly chilling is its ability to create a sense of unease and ambiguity that lingers long after the story has ended. Blackwood expertly blurs the lines between the natural and the supernatural, leaving the reader questioning what is real and what is imagined.
In conclusion, "The Willows" is a timeless classic of horror fiction that deserves its reputation as one of the greatest ghost stories ever written. With its atmospheric setting, compelling characters, and relentless sense of dread, this novella is sure to haunt readers long after they have turned the final page.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Spooky
Creepy spook story which relentlessly creeps me out. Beautifully atmospheric and almost playful. The woods and the river go all weird.
Creepy spook story which relentlessly creeps me out. Beautifully atmospheric and almost playful. The woods and the river go all weird.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Really good. As with most strong short works: I wanted more.