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Filla de la venjança
Un thriller històric ple de girs de guió i cops de martell. Una persecució endimoniada per tot el nord dels EUA entre dues dones: només en pot quedar una. Entre Stephen King i Jane Austen, però amb la inconfusible ploma addictiva de Michael McDowell.
Fins on series capaç d’arribar per venjar la teva família?
Quan l’any 1871 la intrèpida i arruïnada Philomela Drax rep una carta del seu avi en què li confessa que tem per la seva vida a causa d’una família sense escrúpols, els Slape, no dubta a acudir a ajudar-lo.
Però el temps corre, perquè la Katie, líder del clan, una jove despietada amb el do de la clarividència i una notable habilitat criminal amb el martell, està a punt d’aconseguir el seu objectiu.
Comença aleshores una persecució desenfrenada, des dels carrers polsegosos d’un poble de Nova Jersey fins a les voreres resplendents de Saratoga, passant pels molls de Nova York. La Philo sap que és un duel a mort. Però fa massa temps que fuig: ha arribat l’hora de la venjança.
Fins on series capaç d’arribar per venjar la teva família?
Quan l’any 1871 la intrèpida i arruïnada Philomela Drax rep una carta del seu avi en què li confessa que tem per la seva vida a causa d’una família sense escrúpols, els Slape, no dubta a acudir a ajudar-lo.
Però el temps corre, perquè la Katie, líder del clan, una jove despietada amb el do de la clarividència i una notable habilitat criminal amb el martell, està a punt d’aconseguir el seu objectiu.
Comença aleshores una persecució desenfrenada, des dels carrers polsegosos d’un poble de Nova Jersey fins a les voreres resplendents de Saratoga, passant pels molls de Nova York. La Philo sap que és un duel a mort. Però fa massa temps que fuig: ha arribat l’hora de la venjança.
408 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1982
500 people are currently reading
8076 people want to read
About the author
Michael McDowell
73 books2,084 followersMichael McDowell is a prolific horror writer who has distinguished himself with a varied body of work within the genre. He was born in Enterprise, Alabama, in 1950 and died of AIDS-related illness in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1999.
His first horror novel, The Amulet, relates the tragedies that befall various individuals who come in possession of a supernatural pendant in a small town.
In McDowell's second novel, Cold Moon Over Babylon, a murdered woman's corpse is dispatched into a river, but her spirit roams the land, and in the evening hours it seeks revenge on her killer even as he plots the demise of her surviving relatives.
Don D'Ammassa, writing in the St. James Guide to Horror, Ghost & Gothic Writers, noted that McDowell's ability to maintain a sense of mundane normalcy against supernatural activity provides the novel with "a fine balance between reality and unreality," and he called Cold Moon Over Babylon "one of the best ghost stories ever written at novel length."
A similarly disturbing tension between dull reality and the supernatural is produced in The Elementals, wherein a host of visitors come to stay at a secluded house occupied by embodiments of elemental forces.
McDowell's Katie, meanwhile, concerns a clairvoyant serial killer whose powers of perception enable her to evade her trackers. The attractive but deranged heroine of this novel manages to conduct her murderous activities despite the awareness of her parents, who are content to derive financial gain from their daughter's crimes.
Madness is central to McDowell's Toplin, which details the vile imaginings of a man who suffers from mental illness but nonetheless determines to conduct himself within society. D'Ammassa praised Toplin as "perhaps the best novel ever written from the point of view of a schizophrenic."
Among McDowell's other writings is the six-part serial novel Blackwater, a chronicle of a southern family drawn to the supernatural. In addition, McDowell has also supplied the screenplays for various films, including director Tim Burton's horror comedy Beetlejuice and his animated production The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Stephen King called McDowell one of the "finest writers of paperback originals in America today." Tabitha King was asked to complete McDowell's unfinished novel Candles Burning, which was published in 2006 to good reviews. Concerning his career, McDowell never tried to be something he wasn't. "I am a commercial writer and I'm proud of that", he said in the book Faces of Fear in 1985. "I am writing things to be put in the bookstore next month. I think it is a mistake to try to write for the ages."
His first horror novel, The Amulet, relates the tragedies that befall various individuals who come in possession of a supernatural pendant in a small town.
In McDowell's second novel, Cold Moon Over Babylon, a murdered woman's corpse is dispatched into a river, but her spirit roams the land, and in the evening hours it seeks revenge on her killer even as he plots the demise of her surviving relatives.
Don D'Ammassa, writing in the St. James Guide to Horror, Ghost & Gothic Writers, noted that McDowell's ability to maintain a sense of mundane normalcy against supernatural activity provides the novel with "a fine balance between reality and unreality," and he called Cold Moon Over Babylon "one of the best ghost stories ever written at novel length."
A similarly disturbing tension between dull reality and the supernatural is produced in The Elementals, wherein a host of visitors come to stay at a secluded house occupied by embodiments of elemental forces.
McDowell's Katie, meanwhile, concerns a clairvoyant serial killer whose powers of perception enable her to evade her trackers. The attractive but deranged heroine of this novel manages to conduct her murderous activities despite the awareness of her parents, who are content to derive financial gain from their daughter's crimes.
Madness is central to McDowell's Toplin, which details the vile imaginings of a man who suffers from mental illness but nonetheless determines to conduct himself within society. D'Ammassa praised Toplin as "perhaps the best novel ever written from the point of view of a schizophrenic."
Among McDowell's other writings is the six-part serial novel Blackwater, a chronicle of a southern family drawn to the supernatural. In addition, McDowell has also supplied the screenplays for various films, including director Tim Burton's horror comedy Beetlejuice and his animated production The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Stephen King called McDowell one of the "finest writers of paperback originals in America today." Tabitha King was asked to complete McDowell's unfinished novel Candles Burning, which was published in 2006 to good reviews. Concerning his career, McDowell never tried to be something he wasn't. "I am a commercial writer and I'm proud of that", he said in the book Faces of Fear in 1985. "I am writing things to be put in the bookstore next month. I think it is a mistake to try to write for the ages."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 992 reviews
March 10, 2015
Are you a horror fan? If so, read this book NOW!!
This tale reminds me of how and why I became a horror fan. I remember picking up horror paperbacks in the late 70s-early 80s and ripping through them at a breakneck pace. I experienced that feeling again this past weekend and I realized how much I missed and loved that experience!
In the very small town of New Egypt, New Jersey lives Philomela Drax with her mother, the local seamstress. They don't have much since Mr. Drax passed on and they certainly do not enjoy status of any kind. Mrs. Drax receives a letter from her estranged, crippled, father begging her or Philo to come to his aid. Apparently, the people that he hired to take care of his farm are now trying to kill him and steal everything that's not nailed down, including the farm itself. Philo, being of the highest character, immediately leaves to see if she can put a stop to these shenanigans. Shortly thereafter, Philo meets the family Slape and this story puts the gas pedal to the floor.
Michael McDowell creates characters that you love or hate with all your might. His observations of human nature are spot on, which only adds to the believability of his stories. His works are almost always unpredictable. Just when you think a story is going one way, he jerks your heartstrings and turns it in a totally different direction.
Mr. McDowell is currently near the top of my favorite authors list and he's been dead for 1.5 decades. I can't help but wonder how many more awesome stories he could have come up with had he lived longer. I can only say that I would have purchased and read every single one of them. As things stand now, his works are very difficult to find. If it weren't for Valancourt Books, I might never have been able to read this horror classic, or The Elementals either, for that matter. I know that they are working hard to bring back even more of his work and I, for one, can't wait to check them out.
My highest recommendation!
*I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is it!*
This tale reminds me of how and why I became a horror fan. I remember picking up horror paperbacks in the late 70s-early 80s and ripping through them at a breakneck pace. I experienced that feeling again this past weekend and I realized how much I missed and loved that experience!
In the very small town of New Egypt, New Jersey lives Philomela Drax with her mother, the local seamstress. They don't have much since Mr. Drax passed on and they certainly do not enjoy status of any kind. Mrs. Drax receives a letter from her estranged, crippled, father begging her or Philo to come to his aid. Apparently, the people that he hired to take care of his farm are now trying to kill him and steal everything that's not nailed down, including the farm itself. Philo, being of the highest character, immediately leaves to see if she can put a stop to these shenanigans. Shortly thereafter, Philo meets the family Slape and this story puts the gas pedal to the floor.
Michael McDowell creates characters that you love or hate with all your might. His observations of human nature are spot on, which only adds to the believability of his stories. His works are almost always unpredictable. Just when you think a story is going one way, he jerks your heartstrings and turns it in a totally different direction.
Mr. McDowell is currently near the top of my favorite authors list and he's been dead for 1.5 decades. I can't help but wonder how many more awesome stories he could have come up with had he lived longer. I can only say that I would have purchased and read every single one of them. As things stand now, his works are very difficult to find. If it weren't for Valancourt Books, I might never have been able to read this horror classic, or The Elementals either, for that matter. I know that they are working hard to bring back even more of his work and I, for one, can't wait to check them out.
My highest recommendation!
*I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is it!*
October 28, 2025
It's A Thriller...
KATIE
by Michael McDowell
5 stars. This story takes place in the 1800s. Katie's first appearance is as a young girl torturing and killing a small animal...
Later...
Katie discovers that she has clairvoyant powers, which enable her to successfully rob and then murder her victims...
When Katie's mother is killed by a fire on the stage where she was performing as Mlle. Desire, Katie's babysitter Hannah Jepson (an equally evil woman) marries Katie's father John Slape (also evil in his own right)...
Together, the Slapes form a diabolical family of serial killers who murder not only for money but just for the fun of it...
As the family moves about, killing when the whim or need strikes them, they are also running from the one person that can direct the authorities to them...
Philo Drax has received a letter from her wealthy grandfather asking her to come to him under cover to rescue him from this greedy, bloodthirsty family...
Philo arrives at her grandfather's farm, but it is too late to save him. The Slapes murder her grandfather, an invalid, steal his fortune and lock Philo in a room with his corpse so she will be blamed for his death...
Penniless, Philo must now try to locate the Slape family while evading the authorities...
As Boris Karloff used to say: It's a thriller.
I read this novel many years ago and had forgotten how good it was. This book was truly buried treasure. The prose was a little hard to get into at first, but once you're past the first 10%, the story takes off and is a real page-turner. I easily rate this novel 5 stars.
COLD MOON OVER BABYLON is also a very good book by this author.
Warning to some readers: Animal abuse is part of this story
KATIE
by Michael McDowell
5 stars. This story takes place in the 1800s. Katie's first appearance is as a young girl torturing and killing a small animal...
Later...
Katie discovers that she has clairvoyant powers, which enable her to successfully rob and then murder her victims...
When Katie's mother is killed by a fire on the stage where she was performing as Mlle. Desire, Katie's babysitter Hannah Jepson (an equally evil woman) marries Katie's father John Slape (also evil in his own right)...
Together, the Slapes form a diabolical family of serial killers who murder not only for money but just for the fun of it...
As the family moves about, killing when the whim or need strikes them, they are also running from the one person that can direct the authorities to them...
Philo Drax has received a letter from her wealthy grandfather asking her to come to him under cover to rescue him from this greedy, bloodthirsty family...
Philo arrives at her grandfather's farm, but it is too late to save him. The Slapes murder her grandfather, an invalid, steal his fortune and lock Philo in a room with his corpse so she will be blamed for his death...
Penniless, Philo must now try to locate the Slape family while evading the authorities...
As Boris Karloff used to say: It's a thriller.
I read this novel many years ago and had forgotten how good it was. This book was truly buried treasure. The prose was a little hard to get into at first, but once you're past the first 10%, the story takes off and is a real page-turner. I easily rate this novel 5 stars.
COLD MOON OVER BABYLON is also a very good book by this author.
Warning to some readers: Animal abuse is part of this story
November 2, 2025
Con esta relectura he recordado que durante muchos años no pude entender que no tradujesen al castellano las novelas de McDowell. Muy bueno.
Indicar, que la versión que yo he leído no es la que acaba de publicar Blackie Books sino esta, la que publicó hace años La bestia equilátera, que respetó el título original de la novela, "Katie". Lo del cambio de título, que no tiene ni pies ni cabeza, es algo que Blackie Books algún día explicará.
Dice la sinopsis
Un thriller histórico lleno de giros de guión y golpes de martillo. Una persecución endemoniada por todo el norte de EE.UU. entre dos mujeres: solo puede quedar una. Entre Stephen King y Jane Austen, pero con la inconfundible pluma adictiva de Michael McDowell.
Mis impresiones.
Lo primero que quiero resaltar es que no es una novela de terror en el sentido clásico del término. Es "terror McDowell". Lo paranormal apenas representa una gota y el resto es más un thriller que otra cosa. Ahora, menuda novela se marcó con esta obra.
La prosa y el estilo son los típicos de este autor. Capítulos no muy largos, ritmo muy vivo y giros bien colocados. Como suele ser habitual en él te introduce en la historia, en lo cotidiano, te engancha con ello y cuando menos lo esperas te sacude con escenas de las que sobrecogen sin que le tiemble precisamente la mano.
El comienzo es impactante. En pocas páginas traza a dos personajes y define los parámetros por los que va a transcurrir la novela.
La trama engancha de principio a fin. Sufres con Philo y qué ganitas de que se de la vuelta a la tortilla. No da tregua. Un no parar de leer.
Los personajes son uno de los puntos fuertes de McDowell. No en vano King bebió en sus fuentes. Todos son buenos, pero destacan las dos antagonistas Philo y Katie. El blanco y el negro, la personalidad equilibrada y resiliente frente a la psicópata de manual. Y no, no son estereotipos, son muy muy de este autor, llevan su sello, sobre todo lo del martillo. Ojo con ese martillo.
La ambientación de nota. En esta ocasión sitúa la acción en New Jersey, Filadelfia y Nueva York. Cronológicamente transcurre en 1871. El autor nos da una visión de la sociedad de entonces, de las desigualdades y de las dificultades con las que se topaban las mujeres solteras que necesitaban trabajar. Lo muestra en un libro que no es largo y sin que se resienta el ritmo.
El desenlace es muy de justicia poética. Me ha gustado mucho como ha resuelto a cada "malo", podría haber optado por una solución conjunta, pero eso es lo que distingue a un gran autor de un buen autor, optó, no por lo fácil, sino por algo más retorcido y brillante.
En conclusión. Una novela con el sello de McDowell, bien escrita, bien desarrollada y me enganchó de mala manera. Recomendable.
Indicar, que la versión que yo he leído no es la que acaba de publicar Blackie Books sino esta, la que publicó hace años La bestia equilátera, que respetó el título original de la novela, "Katie". Lo del cambio de título, que no tiene ni pies ni cabeza, es algo que Blackie Books algún día explicará.
Dice la sinopsis
Un thriller histórico lleno de giros de guión y golpes de martillo. Una persecución endemoniada por todo el norte de EE.UU. entre dos mujeres: solo puede quedar una. Entre Stephen King y Jane Austen, pero con la inconfundible pluma adictiva de Michael McDowell.
Mis impresiones.
Lo primero que quiero resaltar es que no es una novela de terror en el sentido clásico del término. Es "terror McDowell". Lo paranormal apenas representa una gota y el resto es más un thriller que otra cosa. Ahora, menuda novela se marcó con esta obra.
La prosa y el estilo son los típicos de este autor. Capítulos no muy largos, ritmo muy vivo y giros bien colocados. Como suele ser habitual en él te introduce en la historia, en lo cotidiano, te engancha con ello y cuando menos lo esperas te sacude con escenas de las que sobrecogen sin que le tiemble precisamente la mano.
El comienzo es impactante. En pocas páginas traza a dos personajes y define los parámetros por los que va a transcurrir la novela.
La trama engancha de principio a fin. Sufres con Philo y qué ganitas de que se de la vuelta a la tortilla. No da tregua. Un no parar de leer.
Los personajes son uno de los puntos fuertes de McDowell. No en vano King bebió en sus fuentes. Todos son buenos, pero destacan las dos antagonistas Philo y Katie. El blanco y el negro, la personalidad equilibrada y resiliente frente a la psicópata de manual. Y no, no son estereotipos, son muy muy de este autor, llevan su sello, sobre todo lo del martillo. Ojo con ese martillo.
La ambientación de nota. En esta ocasión sitúa la acción en New Jersey, Filadelfia y Nueva York. Cronológicamente transcurre en 1871. El autor nos da una visión de la sociedad de entonces, de las desigualdades y de las dificultades con las que se topaban las mujeres solteras que necesitaban trabajar. Lo muestra en un libro que no es largo y sin que se resienta el ritmo.
El desenlace es muy de justicia poética. Me ha gustado mucho como ha resuelto a cada "malo", podría haber optado por una solución conjunta, pero eso es lo que distingue a un gran autor de un buen autor, optó, no por lo fácil, sino por algo más retorcido y brillante.
En conclusión. Una novela con el sello de McDowell, bien escrita, bien desarrollada y me enganchó de mala manera. Recomendable.
March 23, 2015
This is the second novel I've read by Michael McDowell, and his writing style and use of language continue to impress me! His characters are so realistically drawn that I felt as if I were reading a piece of history, instead of a fictional novel. McDowell's use of atmosphere perfectly compliments his story, fully gripping the reader in that sense of realism.
Katie Slape and her family are beyond words when it comes to describing their depravity and callous disregard for any living thing. The fact that empathy and conscience are COMPLETELY absent makes them stand out even more so than your typical villain--there isn't anything remotely redeeming to any aspect of their existence.
A more chilling, and simply terrifying group of antagonists I can't even envision!
The character of Philomela Drax, in contrast, possesses all the admirable qualities inherent in a truly decent person. Regrettably, for her, misfortune lingers in her life from the very beginning--increasing significantly when she is destined to come to the notice of the horrific Slape family. From this moment on, every aspect of her life is tainted by the Slape's malicious acts against her family and friends. Philo Drax then makes a decision that will have readers cringing--a vow to hunt down the Slape family and see justice served--no matter what the cost to herself.
And nobody has ever managed to escape Katie's blood-drenched hammer.....
Katie Slape and her family are beyond words when it comes to describing their depravity and callous disregard for any living thing. The fact that empathy and conscience are COMPLETELY absent makes them stand out even more so than your typical villain--there isn't anything remotely redeeming to any aspect of their existence.
A more chilling, and simply terrifying group of antagonists I can't even envision!
The character of Philomela Drax, in contrast, possesses all the admirable qualities inherent in a truly decent person. Regrettably, for her, misfortune lingers in her life from the very beginning--increasing significantly when she is destined to come to the notice of the horrific Slape family. From this moment on, every aspect of her life is tainted by the Slape's malicious acts against her family and friends. Philo Drax then makes a decision that will have readers cringing--a vow to hunt down the Slape family and see justice served--no matter what the cost to herself.
And nobody has ever managed to escape Katie's blood-drenched hammer.....
October 27, 2025
Cet auteur a le don de m’agripper et il m’est impossible de lâcher ses romans. Je les commence et je ne peux m’empêcher de les finir. Qu’est-ce que ses personnages principaux peuvent être maléfiques, il devait aimer les personnages très sombres, il arrive à chaque fois à explorer les moindres bassesses de l’âme humaine. Si vous aimez les romans horrifiques foncez!!!
July 20, 2023
"Katie, a dark-haired beauty some would say, but I think she has the devil in her."
Initial Thoughts
I'm nearing the conclusion of a read through of one of the most underrated horror authors to hit the shelves, Michael McDowell. So far I've seen a steady improvement in quality from his first published novel, The Amulet (1979), up to his epic southern gothic horror The Elementals (1981). So hoping to continue with that upward trajectory, it's with some anticipation that I set my sights on another historical chiller...Katie (1982). A story that sees him revisit the North East corner of the states in the late 1800s which was the setting for his fantastic historical thriller, Gilded Needles.
But before I begin a little about the author who sadly passed away at the age of forty-nine in the year of 1999. He was born on 1st June 1950 in Enterprise, Alabama and went on to study for his PhD in English at Brandeis University. Along with being a talented author he was also an accomplished screenwriter, penning scripts for television series including Tales from the Dark side, Alfred Hitchcock Presents and Tales from the Crypt. That's before he famously went on to produce the screenplay for both Beetlejuice and The Nightmare Before Christmas.
The Story
This one is set in 19th century, post-war America, here we pick up with Philomela Drax (Philo tiger friends), an eighteen year old seamstress' daughter. The pair don't have two coins to rub together and are struggling to afford their rent. They're a very unremarkable family but fate is going to have it's say for both of them before this story is finished.
Staring eviction square in the face, Philo's mother receives a timely letter from her estranged father who disowned her when she married her, now deceased, husband. He's had a change of heart and looking to repair the wounds he inflicted. Did I mention he's also particularly wealthy? Could this be the miracle the pair we're praying for? Best not count your chickens yet Philo.
See, grandfather's request for reconciliation is not entirely benevolent. He is at the behest of the diabolical Slape family and needs Philo's help if he's going to escape. His captors have plans to get their claws on his fortune, and are prepared to kill to get it. But murder is a sport for the Slapes and the young daughter Katie is quite happy to do it free of charge. Particularly if it involves smashing in someone's head with a hammer. Negan Smith has nothing on this girl.
"They're demons!" whispered Philo. "A family of devils out of a smoky he'll come to lay waste to me and mine."
The Writing
I've talked about Michael McDowell's writing at length in my previous reviews. He is very, very, very good at nailing the setting and location. In Gilded Needles he absolutely nailed the dark, dusty streets of New York in the late 1800s and he does exactly the same in Katie with a small New Jersey village. This is an author with a real sense of panache when writing in this particular period and he clearly had a wealth of knowledge in that noggin of his. It works fantastically in bringing his characters to life.
I'd definitely describe this as a horror although it's use is subtle throughout without the need for non-stop violence. But that my friend makes it all the more disturbing. McDowell lulled me into thinking this was going to be a historical drama and then hit me with some well-written, stomach turning scenes that had me wanting to look away but glued to the page.
The opening prologue is typical McDowell and sets the tone with a terrifying scene featuring our girl Katie. Be warned that if you're one of these readers that can't handle any form of animal cruelty then better look the other way. The story doesn't let up from there and there's plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing and bucket loads of tragedy.
"I've made a vow - and that vow is to see every one of them dead. I'll turn hound, and track 'em to their lairs. I'll see 'em hanged, and that night I'll sleep at the foot of the gallows. Their rotting bodies will smell sweet to me!"
The Characters
The title is slightly misleading as the focus of the narrative is without doubt Philo. She's a likeable protagonist and I definitely felt a lot of sympathy for her as I was left wondering how much misfortune one girl could take. Despite being put through the ringer she never looses her positive outlook or sense of kindness. But despite being capable she is certainly naive and underestimates just how evil Katie and her family are.
And while we're on the subject, the stars of the show are the Slape family. In particular that wonderful daughter. Katie is fantastically written and genuinely scary with her casual approach to violence. What she lacks in intelligence she makes up for in cunning and malice. She's a serial killer with some psychic abilities and an absolute nightmare for our Philo, or anyone else who gets in her way. Every scene she featured in had a level of suspense and tension and I wanted more. Would have been great to get some background to her character and an opportunity to delve into her psyche.
Final Thoughts
So another hit from McDowell and I'm glad I stuck with him after not being too impressed with his first two books (The Amulet and Cold Moon Over Babylon). Overall, Katie was a highly entertaining read although not quite up to the level of Gilded Needles or the exceptional Elementals.
McDowell’s next six novels form his magnum opus, known collectively as the Blackwater series and I can't wait to get started on those. But then that's pretty much all she wrote for his bibliography other than a few other titles wrote under different pen names, which I'm not sure I'll track down. Sad times that McDowell passed away just as he was getting into his stride as an author. Who knows what sort of career he could have had. But either way he's an author that I thoroughly recommend checking out...starting with Katie. She's killer!
Thanks for reading and...cheers!
October 18, 2025
Michael McDowell nos traslada a la Norteamérica de finales del siglo XIX, donde la miseria y la violencia se entrelazan con la ambición y el deseo de poder. La historia comienza con Philomela Drax, una mujer arruinada que acude en ayuda de su anciano abuelo tras recibir una carta desesperada. Al llegar, descubre un escenario devastador: su familia ha sido víctima del clan Slape, una estirpe cruel que no conoce límites. Entre ellos destaca Katie, una mujer despiadada e inteligente, convertida en el eje oscuro de la narración. Desde ese momento, la novela se convierte en un duelo entre dos fuerzas femeninas opuestas, un combate de ingenio, resistencia y venganza.
El autor construye un relato de ritmo implacable, donde cada capítulo avanza con precisión quirúrgica. Su prosa, contenida y directa, combina la crudeza de la acción con una elegancia sombría que mantiene la tensión sin recurrir al exceso. No hay espacio para la piedad: el autor retrata un mundo donde la justicia es un espejismo y la supervivencia exige una dureza moral absoluta. En este sentido, no estamos solo una historia de violencia, sino una reflexión sobre lo que el sufrimiento puede engendrar en el ser humano cuando la compasión se extingue.
La ambientación es uno de los grandes aciertos de la novela. McDowell recrea con maestría un paisaje rural hostil, lleno de barro, sudor y desesperanza. Las casas, los caminos, los ríos y las tabernas parecen impregnados del mismo aire corrupto que respiran los personajes. Esa atmósfera densa, casi tangible, sostiene un relato en el que el entorno actúa como espejo del alma humana: árido, degradado, pero capaz de gestar una belleza oscura.
Hija de la venganza es, en última instancia, una tragedia sobre el poder, la pérdida y la resistencia. A través de Philomela y Katie, McDowell confronta dos visiones del mundo: la inocencia herida que lucha por sobrevivir y la inteligencia feroz que se alimenta del dolor. El resultado es una novela implacable, tan bella como brutal, donde la venganza se convierte en destino y la violencia en lenguaje. En sus páginas, McDowell no solo cuenta una historia: levanta un espejo en el que el lector puede ver reflejada la sombra persistente de su propia humanidad.
El autor construye un relato de ritmo implacable, donde cada capítulo avanza con precisión quirúrgica. Su prosa, contenida y directa, combina la crudeza de la acción con una elegancia sombría que mantiene la tensión sin recurrir al exceso. No hay espacio para la piedad: el autor retrata un mundo donde la justicia es un espejismo y la supervivencia exige una dureza moral absoluta. En este sentido, no estamos solo una historia de violencia, sino una reflexión sobre lo que el sufrimiento puede engendrar en el ser humano cuando la compasión se extingue.
La ambientación es uno de los grandes aciertos de la novela. McDowell recrea con maestría un paisaje rural hostil, lleno de barro, sudor y desesperanza. Las casas, los caminos, los ríos y las tabernas parecen impregnados del mismo aire corrupto que respiran los personajes. Esa atmósfera densa, casi tangible, sostiene un relato en el que el entorno actúa como espejo del alma humana: árido, degradado, pero capaz de gestar una belleza oscura.
Hija de la venganza es, en última instancia, una tragedia sobre el poder, la pérdida y la resistencia. A través de Philomela y Katie, McDowell confronta dos visiones del mundo: la inocencia herida que lucha por sobrevivir y la inteligencia feroz que se alimenta del dolor. El resultado es una novela implacable, tan bella como brutal, donde la venganza se convierte en destino y la violencia en lenguaje. En sus páginas, McDowell no solo cuenta una historia: levanta un espejo en el que el lector puede ver reflejada la sombra persistente de su propia humanidad.
November 14, 2025
Este libro pasa a ser uno de mis libros favoritos de 2025. Lo he disfrutado tantísimo, no quería que se acabara :’)
La manera que tiene de escribir Michael es completamente adictiva (no para todo el mundo, siento que sus libros o te encantan o te son completamente indiferentes). Si os gustó la saga de Blackwater obligatorio leerlo, os encantará! Y si no la habéis leído y os gusta un terror un poco bizarro (tampoco nada exagero pero diferente desde luego que sí) siento que también os gustará. La ambientación me ha encantado además (Norteamérica, aprox 1850). Es una novela fatídica que habla del poder y la pérdida, también la humanidad de algunos personajes y la falta de esta en otros (Katie me has caído fatal colega).
No sé bien cómo describir la manera que tiene este autor de escribir pero para mí engancha mucho: sus personajes, las relaciones entre ellos, los lugares, lo que cuentan… no sé, me ha flipado de principio a fin. Aún así, repito: no es para todo el mundo.
Traductores de España por favor: poneos a traducir el resto de sus obras porque quiero más y más y más
La manera que tiene de escribir Michael es completamente adictiva (no para todo el mundo, siento que sus libros o te encantan o te son completamente indiferentes). Si os gustó la saga de Blackwater obligatorio leerlo, os encantará! Y si no la habéis leído y os gusta un terror un poco bizarro (tampoco nada exagero pero diferente desde luego que sí) siento que también os gustará. La ambientación me ha encantado además (Norteamérica, aprox 1850). Es una novela fatídica que habla del poder y la pérdida, también la humanidad de algunos personajes y la falta de esta en otros (Katie me has caído fatal colega).
No sé bien cómo describir la manera que tiene este autor de escribir pero para mí engancha mucho: sus personajes, las relaciones entre ellos, los lugares, lo que cuentan… no sé, me ha flipado de principio a fin. Aún así, repito: no es para todo el mundo.
Traductores de España por favor: poneos a traducir el resto de sus obras porque quiero más y más y más
November 2, 2025
Filla de la venjança • 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Aquest llibre és pura màgia i ens parla per si sol, a través del temps i de l’espai en què està ambientat.
No us sabria dir de quin gènere literari forma part. És una novel·la costumista, històrica, amb tints de thriller i tocs terrorífics. Rodona, això sí!
Aquesta novel·la no té res a veure amb la Saga Blackwater. És una història independent. Ara bé, tot el que escriu aquest home em flipa! I el to fosc i inquietant plana sobre tots els seus llibres, altament addictius.
La Philo us enamorarà, n’estic segura. I amb ella viatjareu per la venjança, L’afany de poder, la pobresa, la superació i la justícia…
Quin plaer de narració! Lleugera, potent i amb una radiografia perfecta d’una època concreta. L’Amèrica de finals del segle XIX.
Mentre m’empassava aquestes 400 pàgines, Sentia el Cor en un puny. Quin llampec de novel·la.
Trepidant i molt recomanable.
Aquest llibre és pura màgia i ens parla per si sol, a través del temps i de l’espai en què està ambientat.
No us sabria dir de quin gènere literari forma part. És una novel·la costumista, històrica, amb tints de thriller i tocs terrorífics. Rodona, això sí!
Aquesta novel·la no té res a veure amb la Saga Blackwater. És una història independent. Ara bé, tot el que escriu aquest home em flipa! I el to fosc i inquietant plana sobre tots els seus llibres, altament addictius.
La Philo us enamorarà, n’estic segura. I amb ella viatjareu per la venjança, L’afany de poder, la pobresa, la superació i la justícia…
Quin plaer de narració! Lleugera, potent i amb una radiografia perfecta d’una època concreta. L’Amèrica de finals del segle XIX.
Mentre m’empassava aquestes 400 pàgines, Sentia el Cor en un puny. Quin llampec de novel·la.
Trepidant i molt recomanable.
November 9, 2025
Esta novela es un culebrón sureño s. XIX que me ha gustado y entretenido, pero, en mi opinión, no está a la altura de Blackwater. La trama es simple y no muy original, pero el autor sabe dar ese toque gótico que hace que resulte muy entretenida y atrapante.
New Jersey, año 1871.
Los Slape son unos sádicos, tanto el matrimonio como la hija, Katie. Pero ella es mucho peor, es una psicópata.
Philo Drax tiene mucho que hacer para encontrarlos, vengar a su familia y recuperar lo que han robado. Ahora está sola. Ya no tiene a nadie. Tan solo tiene dieciocho años, aunque mucha determinación. Pero lleva una pesada carga, pues es sospechosa de dos asesinatos que no ha cometido y que hubiera sido imposible para ella cometerlos. Es inocente, sin embargo huye a Nueva York y trata de ganarse la vida, lo cual es más difícil de lo que pensaba. Philo es una chica tradicional y de pueblo y le cuesta moverse en esos ambientes de la gran ciudad. Sin embargo, la suerte le acompaña. Y menuda buena suerte.
Pero su felicidad no dura mucho y su vida de nuevo se viene abajo, con la oportuna intervención de los Slape. Sin embargo, parece que puede recuperar su buena suerte y conseguir lo que tanto desea.
New Jersey, año 1871.
Los Slape son unos sádicos, tanto el matrimonio como la hija, Katie. Pero ella es mucho peor, es una psicópata.
Philo Drax tiene mucho que hacer para encontrarlos, vengar a su familia y recuperar lo que han robado. Ahora está sola. Ya no tiene a nadie. Tan solo tiene dieciocho años, aunque mucha determinación. Pero lleva una pesada carga, pues es sospechosa de dos asesinatos que no ha cometido y que hubiera sido imposible para ella cometerlos. Es inocente, sin embargo huye a Nueva York y trata de ganarse la vida, lo cual es más difícil de lo que pensaba. Philo es una chica tradicional y de pueblo y le cuesta moverse en esos ambientes de la gran ciudad. Sin embargo, la suerte le acompaña. Y menuda buena suerte.
Pero su felicidad no dura mucho y su vida de nuevo se viene abajo, con la oportuna intervención de los Slape. Sin embargo, parece que puede recuperar su buena suerte y conseguir lo que tanto desea.
July 31, 2021
I don’t write reviews.
No, I did not like this. It was too much like Gilded Needles. Honestly that wasn’t to my tastes either. McDowell said he was a commercial writer and it shows. I guess sometimes he just wrote really amazing stories, like Cold Moon Over Babylon, The Elementals, Toplin and to a lesser extent, Blackwater.
The writing itself was fine. The storytelling was very much an expository affair. Many things happened, and the reader is mostly told, not shown. No real depth or interest in the characters. Plus the villains were illiterate and could not maneuver through life nor speak in complete sentences.
This book is dark, but not in a good way. It reminded me over and over how McDowell, in life, was obsessed with death. I don’t find necrophilia to be super healthy. (In this case I mean love of death, not love of screwing death). The violence was sickening and unnecessary, in my opinion. It didn’t add to the story in any way. I don’t enjoy feeding archetypes of evil.
Then there was the ridiculous stuff. A lady with a tiny pet lap dog that turned out to be rabid just because he needed to kill off a character. Or the helpless nature of adult characters in regards to annoying lying family members. Or the way everyone in Philo’s life is slaughtered. Even by chance as in the train wreck, which was amazingly perpetrated by the same evil family??! We get an epilogue where we find out her husband dies almost thirty years before she does. So we can feel nice knowing she gets more suffering after the story ends. Ew.
No, I did not like this. It was too much like Gilded Needles. Honestly that wasn’t to my tastes either. McDowell said he was a commercial writer and it shows. I guess sometimes he just wrote really amazing stories, like Cold Moon Over Babylon, The Elementals, Toplin and to a lesser extent, Blackwater.
The writing itself was fine. The storytelling was very much an expository affair. Many things happened, and the reader is mostly told, not shown. No real depth or interest in the characters. Plus the villains were illiterate and could not maneuver through life nor speak in complete sentences.
This book is dark, but not in a good way. It reminded me over and over how McDowell, in life, was obsessed with death. I don’t find necrophilia to be super healthy. (In this case I mean love of death, not love of screwing death). The violence was sickening and unnecessary, in my opinion. It didn’t add to the story in any way. I don’t enjoy feeding archetypes of evil.
Then there was the ridiculous stuff. A lady with a tiny pet lap dog that turned out to be rabid just because he needed to kill off a character. Or the helpless nature of adult characters in regards to annoying lying family members. Or the way everyone in Philo’s life is slaughtered. Even by chance as in the train wreck, which was amazingly perpetrated by the same evil family??! We get an epilogue where we find out her husband dies almost thirty years before she does. So we can feel nice knowing she gets more suffering after the story ends. Ew.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2024
Me he enamorado de Michael McDowell hasta las trancas.
Voy a leérmelo todo.
Voy a leérmelo todo.
October 19, 2025
3,75 / 5
Un año y medio después del fenómeno (revuelo) editorial causado por la publicación de la saga Blackwater en nuestro país, la editorial Blackie Books presenta en sociedad un nuevo título (Hija de la venganza) de Michael McDowell en español (y catalán) e inaugura, de esta forma, la Biblioteca Michael McDowell, donde publicarán la obra original del autor.
Publicada originalmente con el título de Katie—un guiño fonético a la Carrie de su admirado y amigo Stephen King— en 1982, un año antes del éxito editorial original de la publicación seriada de Blackwater, Hija de la venganza nos lleva hasta New Jersey, concretamente al pueblo de New Egypt, donde vive Philomena Drax con su madre, la costurera local. Es el año 1971, y tras la muerte de su padre en la guerra, Philo y su madre apenas sobreviven y llegan a pagar el alquiler cada semana. Sin embargo, un día reciben la carta de su abuelo, al cual hace 20 años que su madre no ve y ella misma nunca ha conocido. Una carta que les cuenta su deseo de reconciliarse con su madre, y que admite que posee una buena fortuna.
Sin embargo, en la carta también les confiesa: he empezado a temer por mi vida. El viejo Richard Parrock, el abuelo, les relata cómo una familia sin escrúpulos, los Slape, se han hecho con su granja y pretenden matarlo para quedarse con su dinero. El tiempo apremia, por qué parece que la chica más joven del clan, Katie Slape, tiene el don de la clarividencia y una nada cuestionable habilidad criminal con el martillo. Las cosas se ponen frenéticas, las persecuciones no paran, yendo desde Nueva Jersey hasta Saratoga, pasando por los muelles de Nueva York o la ciudad de Boston. Es un duelo a muerte, y ha llegado el momento de la venganza. ¿Estará Philo preparada?
Un thriller sobrenatural
Muchos lectores asociamos a Michael McDowell a eso que conocimos como gótico sureño con la publicación de Blackwater, pero Hija de la venganza, aunque comparte algunos elementos comunes, tira por otros derroteros más cercanos al thriller sobrenatural (con toques históricos) que contemplamos (actualmente) en la figura de Stephen King. La amoral y analfabeta Katie Slape funciona como un catalizador para novela, prácticamente imparable, que obliga a Philo a tener que estar siempre escondida y huyendo. El terror que Katie infunde es visceral, potenciado por ese elemento psíquico sutil, que nunca sabes qué es lo que ha podido ver (o no). Eso inicia una persecución repleta de encuentros violentos, una caza del gato y el ratón, donde el viaje vengativo de justicia de Philo va de sorpresa en sorpresa. El tono de terror lo pone la propia supervivencia, donde los monstruos son los propios Slape con actos de violencia sangrientos, los cuales carecen de cualquier propósito más allá de la crueldad o la codicia. Como decía el subtítulo de su edición original: «Katie nunca mató con amabilidad».
La Gilded Age
Al igual que pasaba con Blackwater, Hija de la venganza se desarrolla en los Estados Unidos de la época posterior a la Guerra Civil, alrededor de la década de 1880. Si bien Blackwater optaba por mostrarnos las secuelas de esa guerra en un pequeño pueblo de Alabama, aquí McDowell abandona la vida de pueblo para llevarnos hasta la gran manzana y diversas regiones de los Estados Unidos, pero con idéntica habilidad para reflejar el mismo costumbrismo histórico. Así, la novela se mueve entre pequeños pueblos y la efervescencia de la vida en la ciudad de Nueva York, exponiendo —de una forma brutal— las brechas entre las diferentes clases sociales de la época. El ambiente de Nueva York es un laberinto de oportunidades y peligros, ideal para que una asesina como Katie Slape y su despiadada familia (sin nada remotamente redentor en ningún aspecto de su existencia) cometan sus crímenes con impunidad. Pero también, para que Philo encuentre nuevas oportunidades, casualidades y aliados, gente con poder y bajos fondos de los que no sabe qué esperar.
Justicia poética
Influenciado por las novelas populares de la década de 1860, adictas a los Penny Dreadful y las dime novels (publicaciones baratas y accesibles), Michael McDowell teje sus ingredientes con una destreza narrativa que lleva un paso más (sangriento) allá sus estructuras tradicionales e imprime un ritmo telenovelesco que crea adicción. El regusto gótico, impregnado por esos personajes y diálogos exquisitos, son hábilmente balanceados por una artesanía narrativa cuidadosa, paciente y que sabe siempre que marcha debe engranar. Capítulos cortos con frecuentes reveses de la fortuna para su protagonista, lo que hace que sea difícil dejar la lectura a un lado, creando una sensación de temor creciente en el lector según avanzan las páginas, sin sentirse nunca acelerada.
La maldad y la justicia se entrelazan a lo largo de toda Hija de la venganza, examinando las psiques de cada personaje con apenas dos pinceladas, sabiendo aterrar y cautivar con apenas unas líneas. No hay grises aquí, solo buenos y malos en esta ocasión. El melodrama de enfrentar a la heroína virtuosa (Philo) contra la maldad personificada (Katie y los Slape), engalanado con la prosa detallada y el contenido violento del libro, forman un compuesto con alma clásica pero que deja regusto (sangriento) brutalmente moderno. Sin embargo, hay en todo ello una justicia poética, una sensación visceralmente satisfactoria al cerrar el libro, una sonrisa (sonora) que solo sus lectores podrán entender.
Reseña completa en el blog: https://boywithletters.blogspot.com/2...
Un año y medio después del fenómeno (revuelo) editorial causado por la publicación de la saga Blackwater en nuestro país, la editorial Blackie Books presenta en sociedad un nuevo título (Hija de la venganza) de Michael McDowell en español (y catalán) e inaugura, de esta forma, la Biblioteca Michael McDowell, donde publicarán la obra original del autor.
Publicada originalmente con el título de Katie—un guiño fonético a la Carrie de su admirado y amigo Stephen King— en 1982, un año antes del éxito editorial original de la publicación seriada de Blackwater, Hija de la venganza nos lleva hasta New Jersey, concretamente al pueblo de New Egypt, donde vive Philomena Drax con su madre, la costurera local. Es el año 1971, y tras la muerte de su padre en la guerra, Philo y su madre apenas sobreviven y llegan a pagar el alquiler cada semana. Sin embargo, un día reciben la carta de su abuelo, al cual hace 20 años que su madre no ve y ella misma nunca ha conocido. Una carta que les cuenta su deseo de reconciliarse con su madre, y que admite que posee una buena fortuna.
Sin embargo, en la carta también les confiesa: he empezado a temer por mi vida. El viejo Richard Parrock, el abuelo, les relata cómo una familia sin escrúpulos, los Slape, se han hecho con su granja y pretenden matarlo para quedarse con su dinero. El tiempo apremia, por qué parece que la chica más joven del clan, Katie Slape, tiene el don de la clarividencia y una nada cuestionable habilidad criminal con el martillo. Las cosas se ponen frenéticas, las persecuciones no paran, yendo desde Nueva Jersey hasta Saratoga, pasando por los muelles de Nueva York o la ciudad de Boston. Es un duelo a muerte, y ha llegado el momento de la venganza. ¿Estará Philo preparada?
Un thriller sobrenatural
Muchos lectores asociamos a Michael McDowell a eso que conocimos como gótico sureño con la publicación de Blackwater, pero Hija de la venganza, aunque comparte algunos elementos comunes, tira por otros derroteros más cercanos al thriller sobrenatural (con toques históricos) que contemplamos (actualmente) en la figura de Stephen King. La amoral y analfabeta Katie Slape funciona como un catalizador para novela, prácticamente imparable, que obliga a Philo a tener que estar siempre escondida y huyendo. El terror que Katie infunde es visceral, potenciado por ese elemento psíquico sutil, que nunca sabes qué es lo que ha podido ver (o no). Eso inicia una persecución repleta de encuentros violentos, una caza del gato y el ratón, donde el viaje vengativo de justicia de Philo va de sorpresa en sorpresa. El tono de terror lo pone la propia supervivencia, donde los monstruos son los propios Slape con actos de violencia sangrientos, los cuales carecen de cualquier propósito más allá de la crueldad o la codicia. Como decía el subtítulo de su edición original: «Katie nunca mató con amabilidad».
La Gilded Age
Al igual que pasaba con Blackwater, Hija de la venganza se desarrolla en los Estados Unidos de la época posterior a la Guerra Civil, alrededor de la década de 1880. Si bien Blackwater optaba por mostrarnos las secuelas de esa guerra en un pequeño pueblo de Alabama, aquí McDowell abandona la vida de pueblo para llevarnos hasta la gran manzana y diversas regiones de los Estados Unidos, pero con idéntica habilidad para reflejar el mismo costumbrismo histórico. Así, la novela se mueve entre pequeños pueblos y la efervescencia de la vida en la ciudad de Nueva York, exponiendo —de una forma brutal— las brechas entre las diferentes clases sociales de la época. El ambiente de Nueva York es un laberinto de oportunidades y peligros, ideal para que una asesina como Katie Slape y su despiadada familia (sin nada remotamente redentor en ningún aspecto de su existencia) cometan sus crímenes con impunidad. Pero también, para que Philo encuentre nuevas oportunidades, casualidades y aliados, gente con poder y bajos fondos de los que no sabe qué esperar.
Justicia poética
Influenciado por las novelas populares de la década de 1860, adictas a los Penny Dreadful y las dime novels (publicaciones baratas y accesibles), Michael McDowell teje sus ingredientes con una destreza narrativa que lleva un paso más (sangriento) allá sus estructuras tradicionales e imprime un ritmo telenovelesco que crea adicción. El regusto gótico, impregnado por esos personajes y diálogos exquisitos, son hábilmente balanceados por una artesanía narrativa cuidadosa, paciente y que sabe siempre que marcha debe engranar. Capítulos cortos con frecuentes reveses de la fortuna para su protagonista, lo que hace que sea difícil dejar la lectura a un lado, creando una sensación de temor creciente en el lector según avanzan las páginas, sin sentirse nunca acelerada.
La maldad y la justicia se entrelazan a lo largo de toda Hija de la venganza, examinando las psiques de cada personaje con apenas dos pinceladas, sabiendo aterrar y cautivar con apenas unas líneas. No hay grises aquí, solo buenos y malos en esta ocasión. El melodrama de enfrentar a la heroína virtuosa (Philo) contra la maldad personificada (Katie y los Slape), engalanado con la prosa detallada y el contenido violento del libro, forman un compuesto con alma clásica pero que deja regusto (sangriento) brutalmente moderno. Sin embargo, hay en todo ello una justicia poética, una sensación visceralmente satisfactoria al cerrar el libro, una sonrisa (sonora) que solo sus lectores podrán entender.
Reseña completa en el blog: https://boywithletters.blogspot.com/2...
October 7, 2023
Like all of Michael McDowell's books, Katie is a brilliantly written American gothic novel. The atmosphere is intoxicating and characters fully realized. It wasn't my favorite McDowell but still fantastic.
December 5, 2025
❥ Bienvenidos al siglo XIX, ese lugar encantador donde las mujeres no podían votar, pero sí podían empuñar martillos con bastante estilo. 🩸🔨
❥Michael McDowell nos lanza a una historia de venganza familiar tan elegante como sangrienta. Transcurre en 1871 y sigue a Philomela Drax, una joven que se ve arrastrada a un conflicto familiar cargado de secretos, ambición y peligro. La historia combina elementos de thriller histórico y suspense gótico, mostrando la lucha de Philo contra fuerzas que amenazan no solo su vida, sino también su legado familiar.
❥La trama es intensa y progresiva, con giros que mantienen al lector constantemente alerta y un juego de poder que se despliega en distintos escenarios de Estados Unidos, desde pueblos pequeños hasta ciudades en pleno auge industrial.
❥El autor, famoso por escribir Beetlejuice y por su amor por lo macabro con clase, se divierte torturando a sus personajes y, de paso, al lector. Pero tranquilos: entre tanta miseria, hay ironía, justicia poética y un placer culposo que hace que no puedas dejar el libro.
❥Los personajes están muy bien construidos: cada uno tiene motivaciones claras, y se sienten auténticos dentro del contexto histórico, en concreto, los personajes femeninos son fuertes, no son meros peones de la historia; actúan, deciden y afectan directamente el desarrollo de la trama, destacando a la protagonista Philo y su gran resiliencia y a Katie Slape con sus dotes de clarividencia 🔮 (a quién no le va a gustar un puntito sobrenatural).
𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐨:
McDowell combina thriller histórico, elementos góticos y drama familiar de forma que cada capítulo está cargado de emoción y tensión.
❞𝑯𝒊𝒋𝒂 𝒅𝒆 𝒍𝒂 𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒛𝒂❞ 𝒏𝒐 𝒔𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒆: 𝒔𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒆.🔨 🩸
👉🏻 Si te gustó la saga Blackwater, está novela te apasionará. ❤️
✴️ Mención especial a la edición, cuya portada sigue estando ilustrada por Pedro Oarbide una auténtica joya 💎.
❥Michael McDowell nos lanza a una historia de venganza familiar tan elegante como sangrienta. Transcurre en 1871 y sigue a Philomela Drax, una joven que se ve arrastrada a un conflicto familiar cargado de secretos, ambición y peligro. La historia combina elementos de thriller histórico y suspense gótico, mostrando la lucha de Philo contra fuerzas que amenazan no solo su vida, sino también su legado familiar.
❥La trama es intensa y progresiva, con giros que mantienen al lector constantemente alerta y un juego de poder que se despliega en distintos escenarios de Estados Unidos, desde pueblos pequeños hasta ciudades en pleno auge industrial.
❥El autor, famoso por escribir Beetlejuice y por su amor por lo macabro con clase, se divierte torturando a sus personajes y, de paso, al lector. Pero tranquilos: entre tanta miseria, hay ironía, justicia poética y un placer culposo que hace que no puedas dejar el libro.
❥Los personajes están muy bien construidos: cada uno tiene motivaciones claras, y se sienten auténticos dentro del contexto histórico, en concreto, los personajes femeninos son fuertes, no son meros peones de la historia; actúan, deciden y afectan directamente el desarrollo de la trama, destacando a la protagonista Philo y su gran resiliencia y a Katie Slape con sus dotes de clarividencia 🔮 (a quién no le va a gustar un puntito sobrenatural).
𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐨:
McDowell combina thriller histórico, elementos góticos y drama familiar de forma que cada capítulo está cargado de emoción y tensión.
❞𝑯𝒊𝒋𝒂 𝒅𝒆 𝒍𝒂 𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒛𝒂❞ 𝒏𝒐 𝒔𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒆: 𝒔𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒆.🔨 🩸
👉🏻 Si te gustó la saga Blackwater, está novela te apasionará. ❤️
✴️ Mención especial a la edición, cuya portada sigue estando ilustrada por Pedro Oarbide una auténtica joya 💎.
April 5, 2009
Back in the eighties I worked at a used bookstore and saw this book come cross the counter one day. The cover shows a silhouette of a girl holding a bloody hammer. The caption near the image states "Katie never killed with kindness." That was all I needed to buy this book and take it home. It is still in my prized McDowell collection and will never leave. If my house caught fire, it is one of the material possessions I'd weep over losing because it has long been out of print.
This book is eerie and gruesome. It starts off in 1863 and the first page describes how a woman is one-by-one stunting the growth of a litter of poodle pups with cheap gin. She is babysitting 9-year-old Katie, who wants to try. Katie shoves the syringe down the puppy's throat too hard, and it spits up the liquor and blood over Katie's dress. Furious, she brings her fist down into the puppy's stomach which pops, and then throws the thing out the window. And this is just the prologue.
A young woman named Philo gets an urgent letter from her grandfather, who fears for his life from his "caretakers"--the Slapes. The book is a flee-and-chase story involving the Slapes and Philo, who wants justice and the carpetbag full of money they took from her kin. It's a book that explores the greed of one cold-hearted, dysfunctional family.
I can only imagine the great books McDowell would have written if he hadn't died too soon.
This book is eerie and gruesome. It starts off in 1863 and the first page describes how a woman is one-by-one stunting the growth of a litter of poodle pups with cheap gin. She is babysitting 9-year-old Katie, who wants to try. Katie shoves the syringe down the puppy's throat too hard, and it spits up the liquor and blood over Katie's dress. Furious, she brings her fist down into the puppy's stomach which pops, and then throws the thing out the window. And this is just the prologue.
A young woman named Philo gets an urgent letter from her grandfather, who fears for his life from his "caretakers"--the Slapes. The book is a flee-and-chase story involving the Slapes and Philo, who wants justice and the carpetbag full of money they took from her kin. It's a book that explores the greed of one cold-hearted, dysfunctional family.
I can only imagine the great books McDowell would have written if he hadn't died too soon.
September 29, 2021
When Philo Drax goes to care for her aging grandfather, she quickly winds up accused of his murder...
Michael McDowell is one of my favorite horror writers from the last forty-something years. My wife got this for me sometime after our son was born and I managed to find time to read it over the past couple weeks.
Written in a style reminiscent of his work on Blackwater, Katie isn't a horror novel as much as suspense with a heaping helping of tragedy porn. Every time things seem to be going her way, her cousin Katie and her parents, the Slapes, show up like a zit on school picture day. Philo loses what money she has and has relatives and friends murdered every time her paths cross with the Slapes, especially the hammer wielding fortune teller Katie.
The book is written in short chapters with frequent reversals of fortune, making it hard to put down but not without a sense of mounting dread. There were several parts when things were brightening up for Philo that I felt myself bracing for the eventual kick in the balls.
I thought it would be akin to a religious experience when the bad guys met their fates. While not that powerful, it was quite satisfying.
While Katie wasn't my favorite Michael McDowell book, I still enjoyed it quite a bit. Four out of five stars.
Michael McDowell is one of my favorite horror writers from the last forty-something years. My wife got this for me sometime after our son was born and I managed to find time to read it over the past couple weeks.
Written in a style reminiscent of his work on Blackwater, Katie isn't a horror novel as much as suspense with a heaping helping of tragedy porn. Every time things seem to be going her way, her cousin Katie and her parents, the Slapes, show up like a zit on school picture day. Philo loses what money she has and has relatives and friends murdered every time her paths cross with the Slapes, especially the hammer wielding fortune teller Katie.
The book is written in short chapters with frequent reversals of fortune, making it hard to put down but not without a sense of mounting dread. There were several parts when things were brightening up for Philo that I felt myself bracing for the eventual kick in the balls.
I thought it would be akin to a religious experience when the bad guys met their fates. While not that powerful, it was quite satisfying.
While Katie wasn't my favorite Michael McDowell book, I still enjoyed it quite a bit. Four out of five stars.
October 29, 2024
Cuando en 1871 Philo y su madre Mary (las Drax) reciben una carta del abuelo Parrock, jamás pudieron imaginar lo que sus desdichadas vidas iban a cambiar; hay misivas que uno preferiría no haber recibido nunca.
Éste será el pistoletazo de salida para que las Drax conozcan al mismísimo diablo en persona: KATIE; una jovencita despiadada, que gracias a sus poderes sobrenaturales es capaz de ver tu futuro con solo mirarte, que además tiene una destreza de alto rendimiento con el uso del Martillo 🔨🔨🩸🩸.
¡Ah, se me olvidaba! Un nimio detalle; es una asesina en serie.
“𝓚𝓪𝓽𝓽𝓲𝓮 𝓷𝓾𝓷𝓬𝓪 𝓪𝓼𝓮𝓼𝓲𝓷𝓪 𝓬𝓸𝓷 𝓫𝓸𝓷𝓭𝓪𝓭”
Pero claro en este su periplo particular de muertes atroces, Katie no está sola, no, no, no, le acompañan su madrastra y su padre, ambos dos unas joyas de la corona, de esos que preferirías nunca encontrarte en sus caminos.
Pero retomemos, Philo al recibir la misiva (ésa que te he comentado al principio) corre como alma que lleva al diablo a visitar a su maltrecho abuelo al pueblo de Goshen, donde conocerá a Katie y los Slape. Hay una jugosa herencia por medio, y la codicia por querer lo que no es tuyo lleva a los Slape a cometer un terrorífico acto del que se sienten victoriosos ¿será como ellos creen?
¡Qué de comienzo la persecución! Hay que encontrarles y recuperar lo que a Philo y a su madre les pertenece.
Un viaje por los Estados Unidos 🇺🇸 de finales del siglo XIX, donde conviviremos con la codicia y avaricia humana en la que todo vale para hacerse con el botín: engaños, manipulaciones, extorsiones, asesinatos…A la lucha de clases sociales entre ricos y pobres. Aunque también hay lugar para la amistad y el romance, para la generosidad y el cariño de unos pocos. Sí me gustaría avisaros que hay varias partes en las que hay abuso animal.
Una novela de McDowell que me ha vuelto a encantar de principio a fin, incluso esas partes más folletinescas, ya que ofrecían al lector un descanso ante tanta maldad que se destila en cada una de sus páginas.
Éste será el pistoletazo de salida para que las Drax conozcan al mismísimo diablo en persona: KATIE; una jovencita despiadada, que gracias a sus poderes sobrenaturales es capaz de ver tu futuro con solo mirarte, que además tiene una destreza de alto rendimiento con el uso del Martillo 🔨🔨🩸🩸.
¡Ah, se me olvidaba! Un nimio detalle; es una asesina en serie.
“𝓚𝓪𝓽𝓽𝓲𝓮 𝓷𝓾𝓷𝓬𝓪 𝓪𝓼𝓮𝓼𝓲𝓷𝓪 𝓬𝓸𝓷 𝓫𝓸𝓷𝓭𝓪𝓭”
Pero claro en este su periplo particular de muertes atroces, Katie no está sola, no, no, no, le acompañan su madrastra y su padre, ambos dos unas joyas de la corona, de esos que preferirías nunca encontrarte en sus caminos.
Pero retomemos, Philo al recibir la misiva (ésa que te he comentado al principio) corre como alma que lleva al diablo a visitar a su maltrecho abuelo al pueblo de Goshen, donde conocerá a Katie y los Slape. Hay una jugosa herencia por medio, y la codicia por querer lo que no es tuyo lleva a los Slape a cometer un terrorífico acto del que se sienten victoriosos ¿será como ellos creen?
¡Qué de comienzo la persecución! Hay que encontrarles y recuperar lo que a Philo y a su madre les pertenece.
Un viaje por los Estados Unidos 🇺🇸 de finales del siglo XIX, donde conviviremos con la codicia y avaricia humana en la que todo vale para hacerse con el botín: engaños, manipulaciones, extorsiones, asesinatos…A la lucha de clases sociales entre ricos y pobres. Aunque también hay lugar para la amistad y el romance, para la generosidad y el cariño de unos pocos. Sí me gustaría avisaros que hay varias partes en las que hay abuso animal.
Una novela de McDowell que me ha vuelto a encantar de principio a fin, incluso esas partes más folletinescas, ya que ofrecían al lector un descanso ante tanta maldad que se destila en cada una de sus páginas.
January 28, 2025
Le disavventure di Philomena Drax iniziano quando il nonno, che non ha mai conosciuto, chiede aiuto a lei e alla madre per risolvere un annoso problema: lo zio della ragazza, ora defunto, ha portato in casa dell’anziano uomo una famiglia di mentecatti che, dopo aver ottenuto l’intestazione della casa in cui vive, puntano ad avere la ricca eredità che andrebbe alla sua famiglia.
Il nonno di Philomena le chiede subito di partire ma quel viaggio segnerà l’inizio di uno scontro sbilanciato tra la ragazza e la giovane figlia degli impostori, una veggente dai capelli corvini con un costante ghigno sulle labbra.
Tra furti di contanti, vittime perite a colpi di martello e merletti agghindati, le due fazioni di questa faida saranno protagoniste di avvenimenti lontani e opposti che condurranno tutti sulla stessa pericolosa strada. Chi prevarrà? La buona e sprovveduta Philomena o l’inquietante e violenta Kate?
Ognuna rappresenta il pericolo principale per l’altra, ma solo una delle due può vincere questa sfida.
L’America dell’anno del Signore 1871 fa da sfondo a una storia in cui il grande assente è un istituto bancario solido.
A parte la dovuta e triste battuta, “Kate” è il romanzo più bello letto fin’ora scritto da Michael Mc Dowell le cui opere Neri Pozza sta presentando al pubblico italiano con tanta cura e puntualità.
In questa storia, che vive di equilibri precari tra bene e male, la società americana di fine Ottocento emerge in tutta la sua complessità portando a galla una storia di precarietà, violenza e tanta imprudenza.
Le protagoniste sono agli antipodi: Philomena è imbranata, Fedele ai doveri morali delle persone che pensa agiscano sempre in buona fede, è sprovveduta, incauta ed è la protagonista imperfetta da opporre a Kate Slape, asciutta, arcigna, violenta e senza scrupoli.
Le scelte inoculate della prima agiscono da combustibile per la seconda creando una storia che sembra da subito a senso unisco e che non finisce a pagina dieci per un po’ di fortuna e parecchia ignoranza (la famiglia Slape è furba e anche fortunata ma priva di intuito strategico).
Ecco quindi che il karma o la provvidenza sembrano intromettersi nel corso dei piani degli Slape donando a Philomena l’opportunità di ribaltare il tavolo e prendere in mano la carta decisiva per vincere la guerra che l’ha vista perdere tutto: famiglia, amici e l’eredità di cui aveva pieno diritto.
Michael McDowell ha creato una storia che ha la morale di Pinocchio e protagonisti degni di una serie Tv da bollino rosso.
Tra un merletto e un altro la crudeltà di Kate riemerge sempre e sembra inarrestabile.
Non si riesce a empatizzare con Philo che non ne azzecca una ma è impossibile non sperare che il riscatto di una vendetta violenta possa impossessarsi di lei, ed è assurdo come si possa sperare leggendo questo romanzo che il buon senso lasci il
posto alla crudeltà. Eppure il buon senso e l’alta moralità di Philo sembrano ripagarla conducendolo ad un finale che apparirà totalmente bilanciato, lasciando l’ultima parola a imprevedibilità e sorpresa.
Ho adorato la parte di Nedda Maitland che entra in scena a età e potremmo definirla il Grillo Parlante della storia con due piccole differenze: è ricca e riesce a castigare la crudele nipote (altro personaggio del romanzo) che risulta la più fastidiosa della storia. Vorrei essere esattamente come lei, non solo per il portafogli ma soprattutto per la capacità di dare il benservito alle persone con stile.
Che dire, “Kate” è uno di quei romanzi su cui si potrebbe discutere per ore, gli elementi accattivanti sono molti e prendono vita mano a mano che la storia procede. Ho apprezzato tantissimo l’aumentare del ritmo pagina dopo pagina, l’imprevedibilità degli eventi e l’inaspettata indole di personaggi fuori dall’ordinario.
Abbiamo imparato ad apprezzare l’originalità di questi autore e Kate saprà non deludervi.
Il nonno di Philomena le chiede subito di partire ma quel viaggio segnerà l’inizio di uno scontro sbilanciato tra la ragazza e la giovane figlia degli impostori, una veggente dai capelli corvini con un costante ghigno sulle labbra.
Tra furti di contanti, vittime perite a colpi di martello e merletti agghindati, le due fazioni di questa faida saranno protagoniste di avvenimenti lontani e opposti che condurranno tutti sulla stessa pericolosa strada. Chi prevarrà? La buona e sprovveduta Philomena o l’inquietante e violenta Kate?
Ognuna rappresenta il pericolo principale per l’altra, ma solo una delle due può vincere questa sfida.
L’America dell’anno del Signore 1871 fa da sfondo a una storia in cui il grande assente è un istituto bancario solido.
A parte la dovuta e triste battuta, “Kate” è il romanzo più bello letto fin’ora scritto da Michael Mc Dowell le cui opere Neri Pozza sta presentando al pubblico italiano con tanta cura e puntualità.
In questa storia, che vive di equilibri precari tra bene e male, la società americana di fine Ottocento emerge in tutta la sua complessità portando a galla una storia di precarietà, violenza e tanta imprudenza.
Le protagoniste sono agli antipodi: Philomena è imbranata, Fedele ai doveri morali delle persone che pensa agiscano sempre in buona fede, è sprovveduta, incauta ed è la protagonista imperfetta da opporre a Kate Slape, asciutta, arcigna, violenta e senza scrupoli.
Le scelte inoculate della prima agiscono da combustibile per la seconda creando una storia che sembra da subito a senso unisco e che non finisce a pagina dieci per un po’ di fortuna e parecchia ignoranza (la famiglia Slape è furba e anche fortunata ma priva di intuito strategico).
Ecco quindi che il karma o la provvidenza sembrano intromettersi nel corso dei piani degli Slape donando a Philomena l’opportunità di ribaltare il tavolo e prendere in mano la carta decisiva per vincere la guerra che l’ha vista perdere tutto: famiglia, amici e l’eredità di cui aveva pieno diritto.
Michael McDowell ha creato una storia che ha la morale di Pinocchio e protagonisti degni di una serie Tv da bollino rosso.
Tra un merletto e un altro la crudeltà di Kate riemerge sempre e sembra inarrestabile.
Non si riesce a empatizzare con Philo che non ne azzecca una ma è impossibile non sperare che il riscatto di una vendetta violenta possa impossessarsi di lei, ed è assurdo come si possa sperare leggendo questo romanzo che il buon senso lasci il
posto alla crudeltà. Eppure il buon senso e l’alta moralità di Philo sembrano ripagarla conducendolo ad un finale che apparirà totalmente bilanciato, lasciando l’ultima parola a imprevedibilità e sorpresa.
Ho adorato la parte di Nedda Maitland che entra in scena a età e potremmo definirla il Grillo Parlante della storia con due piccole differenze: è ricca e riesce a castigare la crudele nipote (altro personaggio del romanzo) che risulta la più fastidiosa della storia. Vorrei essere esattamente come lei, non solo per il portafogli ma soprattutto per la capacità di dare il benservito alle persone con stile.
Che dire, “Kate” è uno di quei romanzi su cui si potrebbe discutere per ore, gli elementi accattivanti sono molti e prendono vita mano a mano che la storia procede. Ho apprezzato tantissimo l’aumentare del ritmo pagina dopo pagina, l’imprevedibilità degli eventi e l’inaspettata indole di personaggi fuori dall’ordinario.
Abbiamo imparato ad apprezzare l’originalità di questi autore e Kate saprà non deludervi.
October 20, 2025
26 gennaio 2025
Mi aspettavo un thriller mozzafiato come la saga di Blackwater.
Non è stato così e sono rimasta un po’ delusa. Forse con meno aspettative, lo avrei apprezzato di più.
La figura di Katie resta crudamente affascinante eppure secondo me c’è qualcosa che non gira nel romanzo.
“Katie aveva un carattere più forte rispetto al padre, era più scaltra e vigile di lui. Ma quando si trattava di spostarsi da una parte all’altra della città, non era più abile dello sventurato John Slape.”
Booktrailer
📹 https://youtu.be/wUTyHdK57zE?si=WsqwK...
20 ottobre 2025
Riletto dopo 10 mesi. L’ho apprezzato di più con la seconda lettura.
Aggiungo una stella.
Mi aspettavo un thriller mozzafiato come la saga di Blackwater.
Non è stato così e sono rimasta un po’ delusa. Forse con meno aspettative, lo avrei apprezzato di più.
La figura di Katie resta crudamente affascinante eppure secondo me c’è qualcosa che non gira nel romanzo.
“Katie aveva un carattere più forte rispetto al padre, era più scaltra e vigile di lui. Ma quando si trattava di spostarsi da una parte all’altra della città, non era più abile dello sventurato John Slape.”
Booktrailer
📹 https://youtu.be/wUTyHdK57zE?si=WsqwK...
20 ottobre 2025
Riletto dopo 10 mesi. L’ho apprezzato di più con la seconda lettura.
Aggiungo una stella.
October 20, 2025
4,5/5
Tenéis una amplia reseña en https://capsulaslj.blogspot.com/2025/...
Hija de la venganza es una novela cerrada, unitaria, que recupera las mejores sensaciones de Blackwater, con elementos muy reconocibles, marca de la casa, y otros a los que les sienta como un guante el estar contenidos dentro de una estructura de 400 páginas.
Una historia riquísima en detalles, en personajes, en giros y llena de ideas potentes como la venganza, la moralidad, en qué consiste ser buena persona o el poder del dinero.
La recomiendo, incluso, antes que Blackwater: es más ágil, directa aún con su complejidad de tramas, situaciones y personajes, tiene ese toque sobrenatural, sus momentos oscuros, su drama y su romance y, sobre todo, tiene uno de los finales más satisfactorios que recuerdo.
Una novela dramática, con toques sobrenaturales y algún que otro exceso tan oscuro como maravilloso y una ambientación de época.
Todo está ahí, en mi cabeza, en la vuestra, pero Hija de la venganza funciona como un reloj de milimétrica precisión.
Tenéis una amplia reseña en https://capsulaslj.blogspot.com/2025/...
Hija de la venganza es una novela cerrada, unitaria, que recupera las mejores sensaciones de Blackwater, con elementos muy reconocibles, marca de la casa, y otros a los que les sienta como un guante el estar contenidos dentro de una estructura de 400 páginas.
Una historia riquísima en detalles, en personajes, en giros y llena de ideas potentes como la venganza, la moralidad, en qué consiste ser buena persona o el poder del dinero.
La recomiendo, incluso, antes que Blackwater: es más ágil, directa aún con su complejidad de tramas, situaciones y personajes, tiene ese toque sobrenatural, sus momentos oscuros, su drama y su romance y, sobre todo, tiene uno de los finales más satisfactorios que recuerdo.
Una novela dramática, con toques sobrenaturales y algún que otro exceso tan oscuro como maravilloso y una ambientación de época.
Todo está ahí, en mi cabeza, en la vuestra, pero Hija de la venganza funciona como un reloj de milimétrica precisión.
July 22, 2025
It would seem that McDowell had so much fun with his initial Penny Dreadful homage ('Gilded Needles', 1980) that he threw himself into this second one post-haste.
The two novels bear no real relation to each other aside from the genre being acknowledged. IIRC, 'GN' stands out more for its atmosphere and its heightened sense of place. In 'Katie', the author appears to have his focus on characters, their relationships with others - and the almost mathematical specifics of the plot.
I actually put off reading 'Katie'. I bought it, had an even closer look at its cover (that cover!!!) - and even though, yes, it's very much in the tradition of penny dreadfuls and a bloody hammer would unsurprisingly figure in the storyline, I do find the cover... off-putting.
But then... the character of Katie is off-putting. She's downright friggin' freaky! And, as a clairvoyant killer, she's certainly unique. If there's a 'bright spot' where that character is concerned, McDowell does practice a certain amount of control and restraint in his use of her. When Katie is allowed to strike, it's sudden and vivid - but she is used sparingly.
Conversely, our heroine - Philomela Drax - may be the most sympathetic character in all of McDowell's work. In a sense, the number of awful things that happens to Philo can cause her to rival Tess of the d'Urbervilles. ~ although, ultimately, Tess will have Philo beat in terms of tragedy. Philo also seems to have both resourcefulness and luck on her side. ~ which helps immensely, since that black cloud hovering over her existence can seem to be not only directly over her but stationary at times.
This is, of course, a novel written in very broad strokes. The nice characters tend to be angelic in their spotlessness, while the bad people go way beyond being simply bad. (I was amused by the fact that one of the three major baddies - a macho but rather stupid guy - has what seems to be a fetishistic attachment to live theater!)
As well... there's a handful of instances in which McDowell seems blatant and self-conscious in his use of 'coincidences'. When those occur, it's quite easy to ignore the overt manipulation. It's as though the author is winking at the reader, as if to say, 'I'm just reminding you this is all make-believe and manufactured. Just take it for the exaggerated melodrama that it is.'
Personally, I did exactly that. To put it simply, I was caught up in the page-turning-ness of it all. I found myself agog at the sheer amount of inventiveness (and cleverness) that McDowell was serving up. ~ in a seemingly effortless manner. This thing moves!
If I'm totally honest... I did notice one particular instance in which McDowell appears to falter ever-so-slightly in a narrative twist; there is one touch in the tale when I did think, 'I don't really buy this - but it seems it has to play out this way.' ... Still, it's a very small point in the scheme of this otherwise-seamless (dare I say, fiendishly satisfying) Gothic.
The two novels bear no real relation to each other aside from the genre being acknowledged. IIRC, 'GN' stands out more for its atmosphere and its heightened sense of place. In 'Katie', the author appears to have his focus on characters, their relationships with others - and the almost mathematical specifics of the plot.
I actually put off reading 'Katie'. I bought it, had an even closer look at its cover (that cover!!!) - and even though, yes, it's very much in the tradition of penny dreadfuls and a bloody hammer would unsurprisingly figure in the storyline, I do find the cover... off-putting.
But then... the character of Katie is off-putting. She's downright friggin' freaky! And, as a clairvoyant killer, she's certainly unique. If there's a 'bright spot' where that character is concerned, McDowell does practice a certain amount of control and restraint in his use of her. When Katie is allowed to strike, it's sudden and vivid - but she is used sparingly.
Conversely, our heroine - Philomela Drax - may be the most sympathetic character in all of McDowell's work. In a sense, the number of awful things that happens to Philo can cause her to rival Tess of the d'Urbervilles. ~ although, ultimately, Tess will have Philo beat in terms of tragedy. Philo also seems to have both resourcefulness and luck on her side. ~ which helps immensely, since that black cloud hovering over her existence can seem to be not only directly over her but stationary at times.
This is, of course, a novel written in very broad strokes. The nice characters tend to be angelic in their spotlessness, while the bad people go way beyond being simply bad. (I was amused by the fact that one of the three major baddies - a macho but rather stupid guy - has what seems to be a fetishistic attachment to live theater!)
As well... there's a handful of instances in which McDowell seems blatant and self-conscious in his use of 'coincidences'. When those occur, it's quite easy to ignore the overt manipulation. It's as though the author is winking at the reader, as if to say, 'I'm just reminding you this is all make-believe and manufactured. Just take it for the exaggerated melodrama that it is.'
Personally, I did exactly that. To put it simply, I was caught up in the page-turning-ness of it all. I found myself agog at the sheer amount of inventiveness (and cleverness) that McDowell was serving up. ~ in a seemingly effortless manner. This thing moves!
If I'm totally honest... I did notice one particular instance in which McDowell appears to falter ever-so-slightly in a narrative twist; there is one touch in the tale when I did think, 'I don't really buy this - but it seems it has to play out this way.' ... Still, it's a very small point in the scheme of this otherwise-seamless (dare I say, fiendishly satisfying) Gothic.
December 25, 2015
Philomela Drax and her mother Mary, live in the small town of New Egypt, New Jersey. Mary is a seamstress and barely makes enough money for them to get by. Mary receives a letter from her father, who she has not see in over 20 years. In his letter, her father begs his daughter to send Philo, out to rescue him from the twisted Slape family. The Slapes are trying to steal his land and his fortune. Philo agrees to help rescue her grandfather from these crazy people. The only way that Philo can enter her grandfather house, is pretending to be a servant for hire. The Slapes are lazy and want Philo to work her fingers to the bone. The Slapes have already had her grandfather sign over part of the farm to them. With each meal that is served to Philo grandfather, he gets weaker by the day. The Slapes have poisoned his food and he dies. Philo is blames for the murder of her grandfather and is a wanted person. Free to do what ever they want, the family set up shop on Christopher Street in New York city.
Katie advertises in their apartment widow, that she is a Psychic. Many wealthy women enter Katie's den of the dammed and are never to be heard from again. This is an intense Psychological thriller, with many twist and turns along the way. It is the type of book that you do not want to put down. McDowell is an excellent writer and a great storyteller. I highly recommend this book!
Katie advertises in their apartment widow, that she is a Psychic. Many wealthy women enter Katie's den of the dammed and are never to be heard from again. This is an intense Psychological thriller, with many twist and turns along the way. It is the type of book that you do not want to put down. McDowell is an excellent writer and a great storyteller. I highly recommend this book!
October 2, 2017
Beautifully written historical horror.
Although there are moments of violence, McDowell has a wonderful way of making the horror subtle and because of that all the more disturbing. This skill has no better showcase than the character from which the title comes. She is vile but goes about her business in an almost unassuming way.
Excellent!
Although there are moments of violence, McDowell has a wonderful way of making the horror subtle and because of that all the more disturbing. This skill has no better showcase than the character from which the title comes. She is vile but goes about her business in an almost unassuming way.
Excellent!
March 21, 2015
Review of Katie by Michael McDowell Katie is the first book I have read by Michael McDowell. A classic horror novel, you won't find any gore-fest or torture porn, but what you will find is a well written and disturbing story. The book starts out with Katie showing signs of both psychic abilities and a propensity towards cruelty from a young age, although we really don't hear anything else about her until she reaches adulthood. Katie is the name of the book, but Philo Drax is the protagonist which the book centers around. Philo, an eighteen year old seamstress' daughter, is poor and generally unremarkable; at least until things start to happen around her that launch her directly and unwittingly into Katie's path.
One day Philo's mother receives a letter from her father, who disowned her 23 years earlier for marrying her now deceased husband. In this letter he requests that Philo come help him escape Katie and her degenerate family who have taken over his farm and his freedom. Although Philo has never met her grandfather, she is only too eager to help. Her motivation is not purely innocent though, as her grandfather is quite wealthy and has promised to provide for her and her mother once he is rescued. Philo, having been impoverished her entire life, dreams of nothing more than rubbing her upcoming wealth in the faces of all who shunned her when she arrives back home. Philo is capable but rather naive and sorely underestimates just how evil Katie and her family are...
My only real complaint about the book is that Katie is more of a background character. I would have loved more of her history and a greater delve into what went on in the mind of this psycho. Overall the story itself was a great and fast read that had enough twists to not be completely predictable and I appreciate that. I look forward to reading more from Michael McDowell.
© 2015 by Andi Rawson of Andreya's Asylum
One day Philo's mother receives a letter from her father, who disowned her 23 years earlier for marrying her now deceased husband. In this letter he requests that Philo come help him escape Katie and her degenerate family who have taken over his farm and his freedom. Although Philo has never met her grandfather, she is only too eager to help. Her motivation is not purely innocent though, as her grandfather is quite wealthy and has promised to provide for her and her mother once he is rescued. Philo, having been impoverished her entire life, dreams of nothing more than rubbing her upcoming wealth in the faces of all who shunned her when she arrives back home. Philo is capable but rather naive and sorely underestimates just how evil Katie and her family are...
My only real complaint about the book is that Katie is more of a background character. I would have loved more of her history and a greater delve into what went on in the mind of this psycho. Overall the story itself was a great and fast read that had enough twists to not be completely predictable and I appreciate that. I look forward to reading more from Michael McDowell.
© 2015 by Andi Rawson of Andreya's Asylum
June 21, 2024
C’était trop bien ! Je suis pas habituée à l’auteur ni à l’époque du XIXe siècle mais c’était super. Je vais essayer de découvrir d’autres romans dans ce genre et de l’auteur aussi (sûrement Blackwater). Je pense faire une chronique parce que c’était chouette quand même
June 10, 2015
I am so glad I learned about this guy through the HA group, he is definitely one of my favorite horror authors.
Great fast paced read, recommended!
Great fast paced read, recommended!
November 16, 2025
«— 𝙇𝙖 𝙤𝙨𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙖𝙢𝙗𝙞𝙚́𝙣 𝙨𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙖 ».
Novela entretenida y con momentos muy trepidantes, lo que hace que se lea con mucha facilidad. Aborda temas como la ambición, el egoísmo y las consecuencias de las decisiones personales, y aunque no profundiza demasiado, sí deja espacio para pensar en la moralidad y las motivaciones humanas. Aunque la historia en general funciona, en algunas partes la narración me resultó algo forzada o ciertas situaciones poco creíbles, por lo que no puedo darle las cuatro estrellas. Aun así, la recomiendo a quienes disfrutan de historias intensas, con un punto oscuro y cargadas de tensión.
Novela entretenida y con momentos muy trepidantes, lo que hace que se lea con mucha facilidad. Aborda temas como la ambición, el egoísmo y las consecuencias de las decisiones personales, y aunque no profundiza demasiado, sí deja espacio para pensar en la moralidad y las motivaciones humanas. Aunque la historia en general funciona, en algunas partes la narración me resultó algo forzada o ciertas situaciones poco creíbles, por lo que no puedo darle las cuatro estrellas. Aun así, la recomiendo a quienes disfrutan de historias intensas, con un punto oscuro y cargadas de tensión.
June 21, 2025
Grottesco e violento. Katie è un personaggio a tratti surreale oltre ad essere estremamente odiosa e cattiva... Ho odiato tutta la famiglia.
Alla fine ho sofferto e gioito insieme a Philo, la vera protagonista della storia.
Alla fine ho sofferto e gioito insieme a Philo, la vera protagonista della storia.
September 28, 2023
So …. Damn …. Good. I need to write a proper review later but holy shit this was the perfect Halloween Horror read 😱!
Michael McDowell was a phenomenal author in this genre!
This one isn’t even ever mentioned in his top three and it may have been my favorite.
🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃
Michael McDowell was a phenomenal author in this genre!
This one isn’t even ever mentioned in his top three and it may have been my favorite.
🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃
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