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Long Weekend: The Novelization
A young couple, Peter and Marcia decide to spend a weekend in the country. They find an isolated beach on a deserted stretch of the Australian coastline and set up their campsite for the weekend.
Suddenly, strange incidents begin to happen as they are attacked by the wildlife. The strange incidents gradually escalate—and so does the terror. Both Peter and Marcia get lost in the bush and discover the animals blocking their path. It becomes apparent that the animals are herding them, and they have no choice but to go—but where?
For the first time, this classic Aussie Thriller is masterfully expanded into a tense novelization by award-winning author Brett McBean.
Suddenly, strange incidents begin to happen as they are attacked by the wildlife. The strange incidents gradually escalate—and so does the terror. Both Peter and Marcia get lost in the bush and discover the animals blocking their path. It becomes apparent that the animals are herding them, and they have no choice but to go—but where?
For the first time, this classic Aussie Thriller is masterfully expanded into a tense novelization by award-winning author Brett McBean.
240 pages, Paperback
Published December 5, 2023
1 person want to read
About the author
Brett McBean
31 books92 followersBrett McBean is an award-winning horror and thriller author. His books, which include 'The Mother', 'The Last Motel' 'The Awakening', and 'Desolation Game: Wolf Creek Book 2' have been published in Australia, the US, and Germany, and he’s been nominated for the Aurealis, Ditmar, and Ned Kelly awards. He won the 2011 Australian Shadows Award for his collection, 'Tales of Sin and Madness'. Along with a strong interest in music (he has an Advanced Diploma in Music Performance from Box Hill College) he is an avid film-buff and owns a vast (and ever-growing) movie collection. He lives in Melbourne with his wife, daughter and German shepherd.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 23, 2023
I didn't manage to connect with the main characters in this book. I can usually learn to like a character who does terrible things, or things I don't agree with, if the characters' back story, actions, or thoughts/feelings are written well, but that's not how this book went for me.
Peter, the husband in this story, came across as a privileged middle-aged guy who threw tantroms when things didn't go his way. It could be argued that the supernatural forces in the woods drove Peter, and his neighbor, over the edge, but I found that too convenient. It's harmful, and even cliche, to use a horror story as a tool for indulging in graphic descriptions of angry men hurting women.
Marcia, Peter's wife, could've been the likeable character in this novel, but she fell flat for me as well. The author tried to give her a sympathetic backstory, but there was still little that she did/or said in the present timeline that made me enjoy reading about her. While I felt bad for her, I didn't find myself rooting for her either.
The couple spent a lot of this story sniping at one another, but that dialogue wasn't whitty or entertaining, it just read like unhappy spoiled people being mean to one another for reasons that take way too many pages to become apparent. By the time the couple's full backstory unfolded, I was so annoyed by the pair that it was hard to care why they were the way they were.
My favorite parts of this book were the flashbacks to Peter's early experiences with his father . Those were written with just enough tenderness and humanity that I almost felt sympathy for Peter as a character. Almost.
As for the horror aspect, this book had a decent amount of suspense that did make me curious enough to keep reading. Just to see what was behind all the strange occurrances. The conclusion for me wasn't worth the build, but I still appreciate a story that keeps you wondering.
There is a scene late at night in the woods in a treehouse that was a little scary and atmospheric for me. It wasn't terrifying, , but pleasingly creepy, which I enjoyed.
Lastly, sharing trigger warnings for abortion, animal harm, and a LOT of domestic violents in this book. Its synopsis reads a bit like a fun romp through a spooky forest with a care-free couple, but that is far from what you actually get in this novel.
***
I received a free advanced review copy of this book and submitted this review voluntarily.
Peter, the husband in this story, came across as a privileged middle-aged guy who threw tantroms when things didn't go his way. It could be argued that the supernatural forces in the woods drove Peter, and his neighbor, over the edge, but I found that too convenient. It's harmful, and even cliche, to use a horror story as a tool for indulging in graphic descriptions of angry men hurting women.
Marcia, Peter's wife, could've been the likeable character in this novel, but she fell flat for me as well. The author tried to give her a sympathetic backstory, but there was still little that she did/or said in the present timeline that made me enjoy reading about her. While I felt bad for her, I didn't find myself rooting for her either.
The couple spent a lot of this story sniping at one another, but that dialogue wasn't whitty or entertaining, it just read like unhappy spoiled people being mean to one another for reasons that take way too many pages to become apparent. By the time the couple's full backstory unfolded, I was so annoyed by the pair that it was hard to care why they were the way they were.
My favorite parts of this book were the flashbacks to Peter's early experiences with his father . Those were written with just enough tenderness and humanity that I almost felt sympathy for Peter as a character. Almost.
As for the horror aspect, this book had a decent amount of suspense that did make me curious enough to keep reading. Just to see what was behind all the strange occurrances. The conclusion for me wasn't worth the build, but I still appreciate a story that keeps you wondering.
There is a scene late at night in the woods in a treehouse that was a little scary and atmospheric for me. It wasn't terrifying, , but pleasingly creepy, which I enjoyed.
Lastly, sharing trigger warnings for abortion, animal harm, and a LOT of domestic violents in this book. Its synopsis reads a bit like a fun romp through a spooky forest with a care-free couple, but that is far from what you actually get in this novel.
***
I received a free advanced review copy of this book and submitted this review voluntarily.
December 2, 2023
*𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗦𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗔𝗥𝗖. 𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝘆 𝗼𝘄𝗻.*
I really, really enjoyed this. I love a story about unlikeable characters, and my goodness, were these some unlikeable characters.
You can tell it's a novelization of a film as the dialogue is quick and snappy, but that works as I read it in just over a day, and it kept my interest continually. I was completely not expecting the ending either, which is a change for me!
My only criticism is; when a phrase is repeated throughout a book I personally start to find it annoying, and I found this with the constant "Christ!" and "Hell!", however this is a minor thing.
I really, really enjoyed this. I love a story about unlikeable characters, and my goodness, were these some unlikeable characters.
You can tell it's a novelization of a film as the dialogue is quick and snappy, but that works as I read it in just over a day, and it kept my interest continually. I was completely not expecting the ending either, which is a change for me!
My only criticism is; when a phrase is repeated throughout a book I personally start to find it annoying, and I found this with the constant "Christ!" and "Hell!", however this is a minor thing.
December 6, 2023
3.5 stars rounded to 4. This was an enjoyable read, though not without its faults. The plot is interesting, the writing flows easily, but the dialogue sounds stilted, and there's asignificant lack of atmosphere. Still, I read it in a couple of days and it kept me entertained. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 13, 2023
Nature has decided to fight back. A young couple lost in the outback of Australia must try to survive.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews