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A review by raforall
The Beetle by Richard Marsh
4.0
Review in Library Journal January 2020 issue: https://www.libraryjournal.com/?detailStory=ljx200101horror
Three Words That Describe This Book: forgotten classic, thought provoking, bugs!
Draft Review:
Originally published the same year as Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Marsh’s chilling novel, while all but forgotten today, was actually more popular than the classic vampire novel during its time. Now brought back as part of an initiative by the Horror Writers Association to present classic horror tales to the modern reader, adding historical context, lists of further reading, and discussion questions, The Beetle is ready for its long delayed close-up. Drawing upon a Victorian fascination with the dark powers of the Egyptian scarab, the story begins with Holt, a homeless man, who enters a deserted building to gain shelter. He sees an odd insect that transforms into a demformed man commanding Holt to break into the home of a member of Parliament, setting the stage for a tale of intrigue, love, and revenge told through four narrators, describing their personal encounters with the mysterious, shape shifting Beetle, allowing the reader to fall into the scandalous tale from multiple angles, and immersing all in terror as a visceral threat to the whole of England emerges. The plot itself, while bordering on silly at times, surprisingly manages to also tackle some serious issues of class, gender, sexual, and ethnic identity while still providing plenty of satisfying chills.
Verdict: Victorian era Gothic tales appeal to a wide range of readers, and The Beetle’s timeless themes paired with the universal ick factor of creepy crawlies ensures that this crowd pleaser from the past will continue to strike fear in the hearts and minds of 21st Century readers.
Three Words That Describe This Book: forgotten classic, thought provoking, bugs!
Draft Review:
Originally published the same year as Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Marsh’s chilling novel, while all but forgotten today, was actually more popular than the classic vampire novel during its time. Now brought back as part of an initiative by the Horror Writers Association to present classic horror tales to the modern reader, adding historical context, lists of further reading, and discussion questions, The Beetle is ready for its long delayed close-up. Drawing upon a Victorian fascination with the dark powers of the Egyptian scarab, the story begins with Holt, a homeless man, who enters a deserted building to gain shelter. He sees an odd insect that transforms into a demformed man commanding Holt to break into the home of a member of Parliament, setting the stage for a tale of intrigue, love, and revenge told through four narrators, describing their personal encounters with the mysterious, shape shifting Beetle, allowing the reader to fall into the scandalous tale from multiple angles, and immersing all in terror as a visceral threat to the whole of England emerges. The plot itself, while bordering on silly at times, surprisingly manages to also tackle some serious issues of class, gender, sexual, and ethnic identity while still providing plenty of satisfying chills.
Verdict: Victorian era Gothic tales appeal to a wide range of readers, and The Beetle’s timeless themes paired with the universal ick factor of creepy crawlies ensures that this crowd pleaser from the past will continue to strike fear in the hearts and minds of 21st Century readers.