Hag

by John Goodrich

All David wanted was to rest and get better. He moved from Vermont to Boston to beat his cancer. Even before the boxes are unpacked, he and his best friend Sam notice an eerie presence in his new apartment building. The emaciated haunt is a roiling storm of fury with black iron claws and jagged metal teeth. She attacks David without reason or pity, leaving him in agony. Hag is a dark, brooding novel set in a blighted personal landscape. A story of deathless rage terrible love. *** “A unique ghost story, with claws and teeth and heart… mostly because it ripped yours out through your eyesockets.” - Amber Fallon, author of The Warblers “An evocative craftsman of quiet and cosmic horror, with a deft touch for all things eerie and unsettling, John Goodrich will appeal to fans of Laird Barron, Mary SanGiovanni, and Peter Straub.” - Brian Keene “Taut and unrelenting, Hag feels much too real and will have you turning on every light … but still checking the shadows just in case.” - P.D. Cacek, author of The Wind Caller and The Selkie

Genres: Horror

226 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2014

Reviews

[Kaisersoze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dealing with cancer must be horrendous enough, but in John Goodrich's world, that's just the precursor for what befalls his protagonist, David, when he moves to Boston to be closer to the only form of treatment that may just save his life. You see, David has the misfortune of choosing to rent an apartment in a building haunted by a nasty ghost that seems intent on causing him pain, driving him insane, and maybe even claiming his life ...

To be fair, I likely wouldn't have read this one based on the above-synopsis alone, had it not come as part of Brian Keene's latest Maelstrom Set as released by Thunderstorm Books. So, I figured, if I own a limited edition hardcover that's signed by the author, the intro contributor, Laird Barron, and the cover's illustrator, M Wayne Miller, I best read the thing at some point.

The story itself is very straight forward and features only a handful of characters. Goodrich gives these characters a depth rarely seen in the horror genre, and it was this aspect I appreciated most about Hag. David, Sam and Valya all seemed like real people - especially in the way they spoke to one another. Which is to say, the dialogue is excellent and Goodrich clearly has a great ear for the nuances of how people speak.

Unfortunately, the supernatural element is very bog standard in Hag, with little new or exciting to recommend regarding it. I was never once scared by the titular hag, but I was affected by David's struggles with his cancer and the chemotherapy he has to suffer through, at least initially. After a while, though, it became quite repetitive reading about David's treatment and reaction routine, while the ghost almost seemed to be relegated to the background. Perhaps this was Goodrich's intent, but when I pick up a novel entitled Hag I don't really want to be bashed about the head with Pancreatic Cancer: Its Treatments and Side-Effects instead.

While I'm here, I should mention I had a great deal of trouble swallowing David's rationale for remaining in the apartment once he knew it was haunted. Eddie Murphy summed it up best in his stand-up comedy release from the mid-80s, Delirious. "It's very simple. There's a ghost in the house, get the fuck out ..." The resolution is also far too convenient given the long and drawn out build up to the inevitable confrontation.

In the end, Hag marks a promising debut at some levels, and a disappointment at others. I'd be willing to give Goodrich another shot, though, as his writing here shows some promise.

2.5 Dug-In Heels for Hag.

[Darrell Grizzle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartbreaking - and at times brutal and genuinely frightening - ghost story novel from a talented author. The story involves a centuries-old haunting in a contemporary setting, with characters I find myself growing to care about (even the eponymous Hag). As a literary history buff I loved how each chapter begins with a quote from the version of Beowulf that David, the scholarly main character, is translating. Those quotes are eerily relevant to the cancer and the vengeful ghost that are both haunting David. Highly recommended.

[Tara Kavanagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, I just finished the book Hag by John Goodrich, it was wonderful!
It has been a long time since I have ready a truly great ghost story. The story had depth of character, history references and a compelling mystery. I loved the writing style, the conversations flowed and the pace was perfect. It had the ideal amount of details and description that allowed your mind to picture the story as you read. I had trouble putting it down I wanted to keep reading even when the tones dropped for my ambulance to head out for a call.
Thank you John for a compelling and enjoyable story with believable characters.

[Karl]

This is copy 51 of 250 signed numbered copies. Signed by the author, Laird Barron and M. Wayne Miller.

This is book 3 of 3 of Brian Keene's Maelstrom V 3-book set.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

David, our main character, moves to Boston to undergo experimental cancer treatment and finds that his new apartment as a unwanted guest.

Be prepare to have your emotions taken for a ride with this one, as you get dragged down the rabbit hole with David. As if having pancreatic cancer wasn't bad enough but to then be tormented by a ghost was just the proverbial icing on the cake. There is tons of symbolism in this as David fights his cancer and the ghost, which for those who have lost someone to cancer there really isn't much of a difference, at least in my opinion.

I really liked how the story flowed and how real it felt. You really get drawn in to the characters lives and become emotionally involved.

[Kyle Rader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book caught me off guard. At first, I expected a possession/haunted building style of story, but it became apparent that I was in for a different kind of story altogether. Equal parts mystery and horror, what struck me most about the story is the humanity throughout the tale. We ruminate on mortality, the afterlife, karma, all while wondering how our protagonist is going to get through his journey. The characters were the highlight for me. Well rounded, flawed, and interesting.

[Robert Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghost Story Fun

I didn’t expect this to be a ghost story. I was expecting a witch story or a succubus story. Instead, it is a ghost story. It is not a particularly original story, but it is well written. The characters are the books strength. It would have benefitted from another round of edits. All and all, very entertaining book and worth the time.

[Danny Brzozowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! I read it in one sitting, because I could not put it down.

[Samantha Françoise Dark Regions Press Proofreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this literary piece and had the pleasure of working on it with Crossroads Press. A must read! I have also read the following which are wonderful to add to your collection:

* Dark Draughts
* Terrible Things