Book Review: Wild Fell by Michael Rowe

Pros: highly descriptive & immersive writing, some terrifying scenes

Cons: wraps up very quickly

Jaime Browning tells a true ghost story by relating scenes from his childhood when he had a powerful ‘imaginary’ friend.  As an adult things come to a head when he buys an island with an old manor house called Wild Fell, where, unknown to him, several people have died in the past.

It took me a few pages to get used to the highly descriptive writing the author used - being more comfortable nowadays with the sparse prose that’s become popular.  But the book is incredibly immersive, making this character driven story fascinating and hard to put down.

The first scene is told from a young woman’s point of view, and Rowe does a phenomenal job with it.  Most of the book details common events of childhood: bullying, first love, etc., which makes the terrifying elements, when they appear, that much starker by comparison.  And some of the scenes are really scary.

I found the finale a little abrupt, but it’s a ghost story so you do expect a quick wrap up.  It’s a modern ghost story (as opposed to This House is Haunted, which is set in the 1800s), so it’s easier to relate to on a personal level.

In Toronto? Come see Michael Rowe

Enter, Night author Michael Rowe's new book, Wild Fell, is coming out and he's doing some events for it.

Here's a synopsis for the book:

The crumbling summerhouse called Wild Fell, soaring above the desolate shores of Blackmore Island, has weathered the violence of the seasons for more than a century. Built for his family by a 19th-century politician of impeccable rectitude, the house has kept its terrible secrets and its darkness sealed within its walls. For a hundred years, the townspeople of Alvina have prayed that the darkness inside Wild Fell would stay there, locked away from the light.

Jameson Browning, a man well acquainted with suffering, has purchased Wild Fell with the intention of beginning a new life, of letting in the light. But what waits for him at the house is devoted to its darkness and guards it jealously. It has been waiting for Jameson his whole life . . . or even longer. and now, at long last, it has found him.

He's doing a signing at the World's Biggest Bookstore (20 Edward Street) on Sunday December 1st, from 12 - 3 PM.  He's also doing a book launch on Monday December 2nd at The Red Bull Lounge / Fly Nightclub (1 Gloucester Street) from 7 - 11 PM.

Book Review: This House is Haunted by John Boyne

Pros: some chilling scenes

Cons: it takes Eliza a long time to figure out what's happening

After the sudden death of her father, Eliza Caine answers an ad to become governess at Gaudlin Hall.  But something's not right in her new home and no one will answer her questions about the parents of her charges, the tragedies that have taken place at Gaudlin Hall, or the ghost that's trying to kill her.

I'd say this book is a cross between The Haunting of Hill House, for the atmospherics and period, and The Shining, for the constant anticipation of something bad happening.  Boyne does an excellent job of putting you in Eliza's place, feeling her terror, and trying to survive what's to come.

While I really liked Eliza I did feel it took longer than it should have for her to figure out what was going on.  Having said that, I enjoyed seeing regular life at the Hall interspersed with her learning more about the place's history.

If you like ghost stories, this is a winner.

Movie Review: Woman in Black

Director: James Watkins, 2012

IMDb listing

Pros: several good scares, creepy, atmospheric, good score, good acting

Cons: ending style seen before, volume fluctuated between very quiet and very loud

Arthur Kipps, a young lawyer, is sent to the mysterious Crythin Gifford to go through the house of a deceased client.  The locals are suspicious and superstitious, trying to force him out of town.  His desire to stay increases when he spots a woman wearing black around the grounds of the secluded house and tries to find out who she is. 

This is a great horror movie.  It's got some fantastic acting (with Daniel Radcliffe as the laywer), creepy sets and a wonderfully gothic atmosphere.  The music helps set the scenes and paves the way for some good scares.

I saw this film on an airplane, so the extreme fluctuations in sound between whispers and shouts was distracting.  This wouldn't be a problem when watching the film at home.  I also found the twist ending familiar (having seen similar things done in a number of horror films).

If you liked The Ring or The Others, you'll like this.