Did anyone else get the sense that this book was older than it really is? I mean, the historical setting probably (nay, certainly) contributes to that fact, but I didn't really feel like this was a modern horror story. It was published in 2009, right in the midst of Twilight-movie fever and the perpetual recreation of old horror classics (or ideas stolen from Japan) with lots of jump scenes and gore. Now, I admit that I'm not very up to date on horror literature, with little more than a few King and Lovecraft stories from years ago under my belt. Most of my horror exposure comes from the lovely moving-pictures of the cinema, but this story still could have had "1960 or earlier" on the copyright page, and, for the most part, I wouldn't have been surprised. This is an oldschool ghost story, the way Haunting of Hill House is. It doesn't feel like what I expect today's dark fantasy to feel like, and maybe that is why it has been so well received (if not by the class, at least by critics). Did anyone else get this sense?
And I will say that I didn't outright dislike this one the same way others have. That is not to say that I loved it either (I just finished the Graveyard Book, so it is up against some stiff competition). I think I was just a little let down by my expectations of modern dark stories, which seem to have more humor, more violence, or more darkness than The Little Stranger had.
6 comments:
I think the "old" feeling is what lends even more creepiness to a lot of stories. I mean, I just finished The Graveyard Book as well, and I kept getting the same old-world feel from it, then realized that it's set in modern day and got a little taken aback.
Old things are more creepy. I think we can call that a fact. I'm actuall in Switzerland right now, and just finished up in Germany with the student magazine Alpine Living. I've been castles, hotels, concentration camps and mines in the last week and a half, and the old things are definitely just more eerie. There's so much history there that you just have to imagine something sinister has gone down. Particularly in the castles, where I've seen the towers and dungeons they locked people in...
Anyway, I think you're onto something with this old-world feeling making it seem more creepy and maybe even more authentic. I think it probably does have something to do with critics and some readers really liking The Little Stranger.
PS I like you Power Rangers title reference. :D
Very good point. I actually just assumed this book was fairly old until I read this post haha. I do agree that the time period adds to the creepiness of the book.
Sara Waters tends to write in a way that makes her books seem really old. I totally like that about her style and agree it does play into the creepy feeling.
Thanks for noticing the reference Jordan (I spend ages on it. or at least a few minutes. Power Rangers run deep.) Enjoy the rest of your trip across the pond! You should post some pictures on here when you get back/get the chance.
I definitely felt that the author did a fantastic job conveying the time period and atmosphere. That being said, the plot was not enough to draw me in and the overall experience left me unsatisfied.
Post a Comment