The book is compared to Stephen King’s horror novels, which is a big kudos itself. (For some reason, the figure of Mr. Shivers reminds me of Randall Flagg and, of course, It, known as Pennywise the clown).
Many ordinary people lost their homes and turned vagabonds during those hard times. This is what happens to Connelly (once he had a first name, now he is only Connelly) who lives somewhere in the southwest with his young daughter. One day they have the misfortune to meet Mr. Shivers who kills the child. Connelly vowes to himself to take revenge and follow the trail of the murderer. He finds others who also suffered losses by the hands of the shivers man, and they join him. However, in the process they turn into something that is just as vile as Mr. Shivers… The unexpected ending comes to the reader as a shock.
Mr Shivers, this supernatural horror-thriller, has a great prose (classic and literal: Bennett was educated in writing for a good reason), a fine plotting - and how grim and realistic the setting and the atmosphere is; admirable for a debut novel. Mr Shivers is a highly enjoyable, grim read. Robert Jackson Bennett intended to create a legend, and he succeeded.
No comments:
Post a Comment