The Bog

Rating:
Summary: Horror novel that would make a great low-budget movie
Review: A serendipitous used-book find for me, this horror thriller has it allŠ the melancholy British bogs, the estranged villagers, the evil Baron, the evil Beauty, the Monster -- not to mention sex, history, suspense, and a father's protective love for his son. No flat spots in this book. The setting is believably woven through all the senses, so that when the Monster makes an appearance, you're a believer. The description of the bog bodies is realistic enough to make you shiver, and that's not even the horrific part.

Rating:
Summary: Horror novel that would make a great low-budget movie
Review: A serendipitous used-book find for me, this horror thriller has it allŠ the melancholy British bogs, the estranged villagers, the evil Baron, the evil Beauty, the Monster -- not to mention sex, history, suspense, and a father's protective love for his son. No flat spots in this book. The setting is believably woven through all the senses, so that when the Monster makes an appearance, you're a believer. The description of the bog bodies is realistic enough to make you shiver, and that's not even the horrific part.

Rating:
Summary: Horror novel that would make a great low-budget movie
Review: A serendipitous used-book find for me, this horror thrillerhas it allŠ the melancholy British bogs, the estrangedvillagers, the evil Baron, the evil Beauty, the Monster -- not to mention sex, history, suspense, and a father's protective love for his son. No flat spots in this book. The setting is believably woven through all the senses, so that when the Monster makes an appearance, you're a believer. The description of the bog bodies is realistic enough to make you shiver, and that's not even the horrific part.

Rating:
Summary: Dont bother
Review: I have always been fascinated by the "bog bodies", because of the state of thier preservation and the history surrounding these poor souls. This book isnt scary, it isnt creepy, it isnt even original nor is it informative. Its sappy, benign and boring. The occult? demons who defecate dogs and turn into beautiful women? Yawn.

Rating:
Summary: Transcendent
Review: I'm a big fan of ancient history and though mostly set in "contemporary" times this book nonetheless spends some moments exploring different early civilizations with such vivid detail that when you finish those particular scenes you wonder if perhaps you were really there after all? And then you shiver! The lead character and his family are all interesting in natural ways (rather than being heroic/adventurous types) which makes the supernatural situations they get into later on feel more frightening. The creature is quite believable and as you learn more about it you begin to feel a sadness for it. The ending suggests of plenty more left to explore, but from what little I've found of Michael Talbot online he seems to have passed away in 1992? I hope this information is wrong. This is my all time favorite story and would love to see it as a movie someday. I think Michael York and Angelina Jolie would be perfectly cast as villains in it. While this is unlikely to ever happen those casting choices should at least make your reading experience more fun. :)


Rating:
Summary: Solid
Review: They don't write horror like this anymore.

Don't get me wrong, the plot is fairly ho-hum. Very been-there, done-that.

This book takes care with it's characters, though. Horror these days tends to focus entirely on the actions and gory descriptions. Here you get more of a focus on character depth. Not to say it compares to a story based solely on the depth of characters, but it's just nice to see writing basics taking control instead of mere flash and glitz.

As a matter of fact the subtle changes of the characters during the first half had me enthralled, if only because it was so unexpected. Unfortunately the latter half becomes much more routine, especially as loose ends begin to be tied up. So it goes with nearly every horror story, though.

A worthy read. I read it all in one sitting, something fairly uncommon for me, usually I try to spread a book into two days, but I finished this in a relaxing evening.

I somehow doubt this review will be read, or get much traffic. A shame, the book is lost amongst lesser books with larger pressings and more expensive cover art.

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down--and can't forget it.
Review: This book is eerie; it is gripping, and captivating. The writer relates a masterful buildup of impending horror. Within the story he weaves enough esoteric scientific and historical detail to draw the reader into credibility--and terror. The touching love of the scientist for his son adds a human element that further heightens the reader's sense of reality and presence.

Rating:
Summary: Horror that grips you
Review: This book scared the bejebbers out of me. I truely believed in this book. If you like horror, then you must find and read this book!!!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent horror novel from beginning to end
Review: This is one of those horror novels where once you start reading, you won't be able to put it down. An Oxford professor moves with his family to a bog where ancient bodies have been recovered in a perfect state of preservation. The town located near the bog is full of strange people. Suddenly weird things start to take place. It all concerns an ancient sorcerer and his demon from other dimension who have survived the Roman times and countless ages and brought horror upon all those who opposed them. The writing is excellent, the atmosphere very dark and creepy, the unfolding mystery superbly written down. You will enjoy this book alot.