Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was truly terrifying to me, and Perly Dunsmore has to be one of the scariest characters in literature. I didn't know what to expect when I started listening to the audiobook, but I was hooked instantly.
Published in 1975, author Joan Samson cultivated an incredibly frightening story that builds upon itself, causing anxiety in the reader. It's a shame that this is the only novel we will ever have by Samson-she passed away shortly after the release of her novel from cancer at the age of 39.
The Auctioneer was rereleased in 2018 and has introduced a new group of readers to its quiet horror.
The story takes place in an isolated farming community of Harlowe, New Hampshire, a town that has changed very little in many decades. John Moore, along with his wife, his mother, and his young daughter live on the farm that his been in his family for generations. Along comes Perly Dunsmore to the quiet town and using his charm, starts soliciting donations from the families of Harlowe for an auction-an auction that Perly promises will benefit the town. Once the auctions start, things begin to slowly change in Harlowe. The Moores and their neighbors find themselves gradually and inescapably deprived of their possessions, of their freedom, and if something doesn't change, they may lose their very lives.
What made this story so scary for me was the idea that what happens in this story could actually happen-and most likely in some form HAS happened. Joan Samson builds up the tension in this story to a fever pitch, and I constantly found myself holding my breath, waiting for some kind of resolution. The author preyed upon the part of me where my biggest fear is losing those I love the most.
This was a highly addicting listen and the reader was excellent.
Published in 1975, author Joan Samson cultivated an incredibly frightening story that builds upon itself, causing anxiety in the reader. It's a shame that this is the only novel we will ever have by Samson-she passed away shortly after the release of her novel from cancer at the age of 39.
The Auctioneer was rereleased in 2018 and has introduced a new group of readers to its quiet horror.
The story takes place in an isolated farming community of Harlowe, New Hampshire, a town that has changed very little in many decades. John Moore, along with his wife, his mother, and his young daughter live on the farm that his been in his family for generations. Along comes Perly Dunsmore to the quiet town and using his charm, starts soliciting donations from the families of Harlowe for an auction-an auction that Perly promises will benefit the town. Once the auctions start, things begin to slowly change in Harlowe. The Moores and their neighbors find themselves gradually and inescapably deprived of their possessions, of their freedom, and if something doesn't change, they may lose their very lives.
What made this story so scary for me was the idea that what happens in this story could actually happen-and most likely in some form HAS happened. Joan Samson builds up the tension in this story to a fever pitch, and I constantly found myself holding my breath, waiting for some kind of resolution. The author preyed upon the part of me where my biggest fear is losing those I love the most.
This was a highly addicting listen and the reader was excellent.
2024 - The 52 Book Club Challenge
Week 29: Published in a Year of the Dragon
2024: A Year in Paperback Hell
June: Probably my favorite Paperback from Hell so far this year. Quite a twisted story. The weakest part, though, was the ending. Kind of fell apart there. Not that I needed to see the Auctioneer get his just comeuppance but maybe a bit of an explanation of how he held such sway over the town and the newcomers. Worth the read.
Week 29: Published in a Year of the Dragon
2024: A Year in Paperback Hell
June: Probably my favorite Paperback from Hell so far this year. Quite a twisted story. The weakest part, though, was the ending. Kind of fell apart there. Not that I needed to see the Auctioneer get his just comeuppance but maybe a bit of an explanation of how he held such sway over the town and the newcomers. Worth the read.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
"She was swept with an awe at his power. It required a reversal of everything she wanted and believed to think that such power--whatever its devious route--could be directed at ends that were anything but right and good."
It's always terrifying when a book published over 40 years ago is eerily relevant in a political sense. Although The Auctioneer deals with a story that is particular to the town its set in, the atmosphere that Joan Samson builds hits a little too close to home.
The auctioneer, Perly Dunsmore, takes over Harlowe & claims he wants to take the town back to its roots with "Christian values" (and at some point says something about making America great). He sells them on a vision of false community with great emphasis on excluding outsiders / strangers, and leads his sheeple to believe that he can keep them safe from the scary outside world. The town eats it up, and they easily fall into his traps.
This book has gaslighting galore, and everyone who (somewhat) attempts to question what's going on is made to believe that they're wrong. That being said, nobody tries very hard, which brings me to the main message of the book (in my opinion) - silence about an act of evil is just as bad as committing the act yourself. This theme reminded me a lot of The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum, not because the plots have anything to do with each other, but both books have main characters who are dealing with the repercussions of their silence.
The main character in The Auctioneer (John) was significantly more infuriating to me than the villain (Perly). I just wanted to scream at him for putting his family at risk so that he could stay selfishly silent. This entire book is a suffocated scream coming from the reader because they can't hear you, and they wouldn't listen anyway. It's a frustrating yet intriguing read.
Harlowe, the town in which this book is set, is very well-written. It felt like a Stephen King small town story at times, which is where he really excels. It was easy to sink into this town, and horrifying to watch it fall apart.
At first I gave this book 3⭐ because I was annoyed by the ending, but upon writing my review, I've bumped it up to 4⭐ because it is a good book as a whole. Some parts of it dragged a little too much for me, but it's still a pretty short book.
Joan Samson was a talented writer, and it's unfortunate that this was her only book. The original editions of this book were difficult to find, but now Valancourt Books has re-published new editions! If you like small town horror with a political tone, pick up The Auctioneer.
It's always terrifying when a book published over 40 years ago is eerily relevant in a political sense. Although The Auctioneer deals with a story that is particular to the town its set in, the atmosphere that Joan Samson builds hits a little too close to home.
The auctioneer, Perly Dunsmore, takes over Harlowe & claims he wants to take the town back to its roots with "Christian values" (and at some point says something about making America great). He sells them on a vision of false community with great emphasis on excluding outsiders / strangers, and leads his sheeple to believe that he can keep them safe from the scary outside world. The town eats it up, and they easily fall into his traps.
This book has gaslighting galore, and everyone who (somewhat) attempts to question what's going on is made to believe that they're wrong. That being said, nobody tries very hard, which brings me to the main message of the book (in my opinion) - silence about an act of evil is just as bad as committing the act yourself. This theme reminded me a lot of The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum, not because the plots have anything to do with each other, but both books have main characters who are dealing with the repercussions of their silence.
The main character in The Auctioneer (John) was significantly more infuriating to me than the villain (Perly). I just wanted to scream at him for putting his family at risk so that he could stay selfishly silent. This entire book is a suffocated scream coming from the reader because they can't hear you, and they wouldn't listen anyway. It's a frustrating yet intriguing read.
Harlowe, the town in which this book is set, is very well-written. It felt like a Stephen King small town story at times, which is where he really excels. It was easy to sink into this town, and horrifying to watch it fall apart.
At first I gave this book 3⭐ because I was annoyed by the ending, but upon writing my review, I've bumped it up to 4⭐ because it is a good book as a whole. Some parts of it dragged a little too much for me, but it's still a pretty short book.
Joan Samson was a talented writer, and it's unfortunate that this was her only book. The original editions of this book were difficult to find, but now Valancourt Books has re-published new editions! If you like small town horror with a political tone, pick up The Auctioneer.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
No
This book is boring as FUCK. So slow and nothing happens, I regret buying it.