What do you think?
Rate this book
The Bog
To a small English village, it is a vast organic presence, as ancient as time itself and seething with hidden life and forbidden legends...
To its victims, it is a nameless horror beyond description, a razor-toothed evil, rising up from the murky depths to feast on human prey...
To archaeologist David Macauley and his family, it is the ultimate scientific mystery -- and the ultimate experiment in terror...
To its victims, it is a nameless horror beyond description, a razor-toothed evil, rising up from the murky depths to feast on human prey...
To archaeologist David Macauley and his family, it is the ultimate scientific mystery -- and the ultimate experiment in terror...
314 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
33 people are currently reading
999 people want to read
About the author
Michael Talbot
52 books300 followersMichael Talbot was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1953. As a young man, he moved to New York City, where he pursued a career as a freelance writer, publishing articles in Omni, The Village Voice, and others, often exploring the confluence between science and the spiritual.
Talbot published his first novel, The Delicate Dependency: A Novel of the Vampire Life as an Avon paperback original in 1982; though never reprinted, it is regarded a classic of the genre, frequently appearing on lists of the best vampire novels ever written, and secondhand copies have long been expensive and hard to find. His other horror titles, both cult classics, are The Bog (1986) and Night Things (1988).
But despite the popularity of his fiction among horror fans, it was for his nonfiction that Talbot was best known, much of it focusing on new age concepts, mysticism, and the paranormal. Arguably his most famous and most significant is The Holographic Universe (1991), which examines the increasingly accepted theory that the entire universe is a hologram; the book remains in print and highly discussed today.
Michael Talbot died of leukemia in 1992 at age 38.
Talbot published his first novel, The Delicate Dependency: A Novel of the Vampire Life as an Avon paperback original in 1982; though never reprinted, it is regarded a classic of the genre, frequently appearing on lists of the best vampire novels ever written, and secondhand copies have long been expensive and hard to find. His other horror titles, both cult classics, are The Bog (1986) and Night Things (1988).
But despite the popularity of his fiction among horror fans, it was for his nonfiction that Talbot was best known, much of it focusing on new age concepts, mysticism, and the paranormal. Arguably his most famous and most significant is The Holographic Universe (1991), which examines the increasingly accepted theory that the entire universe is a hologram; the book remains in print and highly discussed today.
Michael Talbot died of leukemia in 1992 at age 38.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
April 12, 2015
This book kicks ass! Any lover of horror, but especially fans of 80's horror, would totally dig this story.
What started off as a creature feature, (I had in mind something like the Swamp Thing), morphed into a story about wizards and demons and I couldn't have been more pleased with that turn. The only problem I had with the book was that the ending was a little predictable and for that I deducted one star.
Although this is a horror story, Michael Talbot always writes in a literary fashion. (See The Delicate Dependency or Night Things.) This book was no exception. An old school horror tale told in beautiful language is a real treat, and not often found in these days of often sloppy writing and confused story lines. This is what makes this book special. Always moving and always entertaining, this story knocked my socks off! It truly did.
Recommended to any fan of horror, but especially fans of 80s horror! Come and discover what's hidden in the bog. You know you want to.
*A free ebook was provided to me in exchange for an honest review. This is it!*
What started off as a creature feature, (I had in mind something like the Swamp Thing), morphed into a story about wizards and demons and I couldn't have been more pleased with that turn. The only problem I had with the book was that the ending was a little predictable and for that I deducted one star.
Although this is a horror story, Michael Talbot always writes in a literary fashion. (See The Delicate Dependency or Night Things.) This book was no exception. An old school horror tale told in beautiful language is a real treat, and not often found in these days of often sloppy writing and confused story lines. This is what makes this book special. Always moving and always entertaining, this story knocked my socks off! It truly did.
Recommended to any fan of horror, but especially fans of 80s horror! Come and discover what's hidden in the bog. You know you want to.
*A free ebook was provided to me in exchange for an honest review. This is it!*
October 9, 2016
(Here's the awesome interior stepback art from the 1987 Jove mass-market.)
I've been struggling between 3 stars and 4 for this one. The Bog is definitely an above-average example of 80s horror, with some super-creepy set-pieces and plot points I never saw coming, but at times I felt an emotional distance from the strange and crazy goings-on, due somewhat to the protagonist's seeming indifference to the horrors taking place.
It has a pretty typical setup, at first. American archaeologist David Macauley and his family move to a small, secluded English village so that David can study the gigantic bog in the area, where a couple of "bog bodies" (mummified corpses) have been discovered by a grad student of his. The bodies seem to date from ancient Roman times, and would be considered a momentous discovery once revealed. Even more interesting is evidence of the horrible and savage ways they died. The story periodically jumps back to the time in which the bog bodies were alive and breathing, which was very cool.
And what would a "evil in secluded town" story be without secretive, off-putting village folk to foreshadow what's to come? Their fantastical stories of what lies in wait in the bog don't seem quite so far-fetched once David and his family experience the terror first-hand. And what secrets are the decadent Marquis and his seductive companion Julia hiding? One or two of them you will have no trouble guessing, but the story takes off in a uniquely tripped-out direction in the latter portions.
All this is great, and kept me turning the pages, but I was entirely flummoxed at the fact that David didn't take this danger more seriously. I mean, I read that he was concerned for his family, but his actions didn't support this, nor did I feel it to be true. I also felt like many of the irrational decisions he makes were there only to induce drama, which felt forced and artificial at times. That's my main problem with the novel.
Still, it was an enjoyable read, with a number of pretty chilling moments, and you could certainly do worse when it comes to horror boom-era fiction. But after reading Talbot's masterful historical vampire epic, The Delicate Dependency, I guess I was expecting a little more.
3.5 Stars.
January 8, 2018
The Bog
By: Michael Talbot
Narrated by: Matt Godfrey
This is an audible book I requested and the review is voluntary.
I am so glad I asked and received this book! This is a good creepy book with so many great characters and surprises. I loved the whole thing! The plot was wonderful, the characters were well developed, the story was creepy, and the town folk were even creepier! Great ending too! Lots of twists and turns...great story!
The narrator was wonderful! He did wonderful voices of women, children, and ...it. The creepy feeling oozed from the narrator when he really put it on. Great job. The suspense, thrill, and horror was really enhanced with this narrator. Great job!
By: Michael Talbot
Narrated by: Matt Godfrey
This is an audible book I requested and the review is voluntary.
I am so glad I asked and received this book! This is a good creepy book with so many great characters and surprises. I loved the whole thing! The plot was wonderful, the characters were well developed, the story was creepy, and the town folk were even creepier! Great ending too! Lots of twists and turns...great story!
The narrator was wonderful! He did wonderful voices of women, children, and ...it. The creepy feeling oozed from the narrator when he really put it on. Great job. The suspense, thrill, and horror was really enhanced with this narrator. Great job!
August 11, 2014
An old school, creepy English village with a dark past tale that suddenly transforms into something completely unexpected as the author runs giggling into the bog. This is quintessential '80s horror, well written and well outside the box.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
February 2, 2017
A fantastic, literary gothic novel!
November 6, 2023
The Bog did not go where I expected, which is always a plus, but that stated, where it went was a bit too much for me. After a brief prologue in 53 B.C. in some place in conquered England, this story starts with an American family living in Oxford. The father, one David, is an up and coming archeologist with a specialty in 'bog mummies', or people preserved in bogs. He found a place in England likely to contain some and sent his research assistant there for some initial digging.
Well, Brad (his assistant) did indeed find some bog mummies-- exquisite ones at that! So, David takes his family to the remote location and after some trials and tribulations, find a house to rent and gets into the dig. Right away, however, Talbot lays on the suspense. For example, the family dog seemed very uneasy about the new place, constantly barking/whining and stopped eating. Plus, the townies are more than just rubes as David and company seem actively resented. I thought this was going to turn into a creature feature, as obviously something is still hunting the bog, the same something that apparently murdered the bog mummies discovered so far. In a way, it is a creature feature, but one that takes the reader into the fantasy realm whole hog.
I liked the atmosphere for sure; what is more creepy than a foggie bog with strange creatures! Yet, Talbot moved the plot along rather clunkily and in the end, I could not overcome my sense of disbelief enough to really like this. I did like the historical aspects (well researched!), but will not discuss this to avoid spoilers. I will say the bog simply became an afterthought to the real plot, and I was not enchanted regarding where it went. Still, I am a sucker for stories set in England, so I will round up the 2.5 stars to 3.
Well, Brad (his assistant) did indeed find some bog mummies-- exquisite ones at that! So, David takes his family to the remote location and after some trials and tribulations, find a house to rent and gets into the dig. Right away, however, Talbot lays on the suspense. For example, the family dog seemed very uneasy about the new place, constantly barking/whining and stopped eating. Plus, the townies are more than just rubes as David and company seem actively resented. I thought this was going to turn into a creature feature, as obviously something is still hunting the bog, the same something that apparently murdered the bog mummies discovered so far. In a way, it is a creature feature, but one that takes the reader into the fantasy realm whole hog.
I liked the atmosphere for sure; what is more creepy than a foggie bog with strange creatures! Yet, Talbot moved the plot along rather clunkily and in the end, I could not overcome my sense of disbelief enough to really like this. I did like the historical aspects (well researched!), but will not discuss this to avoid spoilers. I will say the bog simply became an afterthought to the real plot, and I was not enchanted regarding where it went. Still, I am a sucker for stories set in England, so I will round up the 2.5 stars to 3.
November 20, 2022
I really slogged through this book. Finally I managed to finish after 5 weeks! It was the last of my October horror books. 2.5 stars.
The premise is exciting: it’s the mid- 1980’s and an American archeologist has a chance to move, with his family, to a remote area of the UK in order to study some recently discovered bog bodies. This intersection of science + horror hooks me every time. (see Michael Crichton, Robin Cook, Douglas Preston).
Bog bodies are truly fascinating. The chemical composition of some bogs can so perfectly mummify humans that, thousands of years later when they’re uncovered, every feature of their skin, visage and body appears almost as if they had just died shortly before being discovered. Even their clothing is perfectly preserved. I will have to read up on this topic a bit more.
Anyway, this story started off quite exciting. As bog bodies are being uncovered, more creepy things are happening. The family’s dog mysteriously disappears. There is a ghostly-appearing little girl in white running around the fields at night. The creepy marquis, who owns the land, invites the family to a strange dinner with his mysterious companion. The barely intelligible townspeople somehow communicate to the family that fearful things happen in their town. But they don’t move away or anything, they stick around to be repeatedly terrorized.
Then the story takes a sharp left turn into fantasy/ magic. This, I did not sign up for. I lost interest and slogged through so slowly until the crazy ending.
Not recommended unless fantasy/ magic is your jam, but then you’ll have to get through the first half of the book.
The premise is exciting: it’s the mid- 1980’s and an American archeologist has a chance to move, with his family, to a remote area of the UK in order to study some recently discovered bog bodies. This intersection of science + horror hooks me every time. (see Michael Crichton, Robin Cook, Douglas Preston).
Bog bodies are truly fascinating. The chemical composition of some bogs can so perfectly mummify humans that, thousands of years later when they’re uncovered, every feature of their skin, visage and body appears almost as if they had just died shortly before being discovered. Even their clothing is perfectly preserved. I will have to read up on this topic a bit more.
Anyway, this story started off quite exciting. As bog bodies are being uncovered, more creepy things are happening. The family’s dog mysteriously disappears. There is a ghostly-appearing little girl in white running around the fields at night. The creepy marquis, who owns the land, invites the family to a strange dinner with his mysterious companion. The barely intelligible townspeople somehow communicate to the family that fearful things happen in their town. But they don’t move away or anything, they stick around to be repeatedly terrorized.
Then the story takes a sharp left turn into fantasy/ magic. This, I did not sign up for. I lost interest and slogged through so slowly until the crazy ending.
Not recommended unless fantasy/ magic is your jam, but then you’ll have to get through the first half of the book.
November 14, 2020
I really enjoyed this book! I would like to thank Valancourt for the copy of the audio book.
Archaeologist David Macauley and his associate, BradMajors make the discovery of a lifetime. David specializes in bog bodies, They find one very, very well preserved and with a Roman comb which she should not have had. David moves his family to be near the bog so he and Brad can continue their research. But the bodies aren't they only thing in the bog. There's something really, really ancient there and waiting for fresh blood.
I wasn't sure where this story was going but that's ok! I was having a good time getting there. It does go way out there too. But i liked it! I listened to the audio book which is read by Matt Godfrey. He does such an amazing job and made this crazy journey so much better. The characters are likable enough. The setting is great! A creepy old English town. The townspeople live in fear of the local Marquis and man! They are a superstitious bunch!(I'd fit right in!) But they have good reason for both. You can just feel the creepiness when reading or listening to this book. I would highly recommend this audio book.
Archaeologist David Macauley and his associate, Brad
I wasn't sure where this story was going but that's ok! I was having a good time getting there. It does go way out there too. But i liked it! I listened to the audio book which is read by Matt Godfrey. He does such an amazing job and made this crazy journey so much better. The characters are likable enough. The setting is great! A creepy old English town. The townspeople live in fear of the local Marquis and man! They are a superstitious bunch!(I'd fit right in!) But they have good reason for both. You can just feel the creepiness when reading or listening to this book. I would highly recommend this audio book.
June 11, 2018
My original THE BOG audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
The Bog is an old-school work of 1980s quiet horror. Michael Talbot slowly sets the stage, introducing archaeologist David Macauley and his family living abroad in the UK on a research grant. David specializes in studying bogs, particularly the corpses found preserved within. In a small English village, David uncovers not just a spate of bog bodies, but colorful legends – legends that point toward the true nature of an ancient evil responsible for the death of the bodies he is now unearthing. As readers slowly settle in for what first appears to be a creature feature, Talbot serves up a few interesting twists alongside a couple doses of personal tragedy and plenty of foreboding dread.
One of the things I most appreciated about The Bog was Talbot’s plotting. Even the most seemingly insignificant plot points and character beats play into the larger narrative and receive certain payoffs as the story resolves. A character’s veganism, a child’s fascination with the word ‘moxie’, a tavern’s clienteles apprehension over the appearance of a moth all lead to larger elements within the story, and the introduction of these minor points help to, in various ways, bring The Bog full-circle by book’s end. Throughout the story, Talbot introduces a number of concepts that I enjoyed quite a bit, particularly in regards to the nature of the evil infecting the small hamlet Macauley and his family find themselves inhabiting, which dovetails nicely with David’s work as a historian and scholar.
Reissued by Valancourt, The Bog is narrated by Matt Godfrey. I’ve only recently become familiar with Godfrey’s work, but he’s quickly earned with me the reputation of being a solid reader. I can expect a natural delivery complemented by subtle performances and distinct voice-work for each of the characters. In that regard, The Bog meets expectations. Each of the male and female characters presented here is clearly delineated and unmistakably unique. Listening to this book through my car’s audio system during my daily commute, I could not detect any flaws in the audio production, and the sound is crisp, clean, and well-modulated.
Readers looking for some high-end 80s horror should find a lot to enjoy in Talbot’s work. While The Bog is a bit of a slow-burn, it is ultimately quite enjoyable. Patient readers will be greatly rewarded by the way certain puzzle pieces of the plot align and snap into place as the story progresses.
The Bog is an old-school work of 1980s quiet horror. Michael Talbot slowly sets the stage, introducing archaeologist David Macauley and his family living abroad in the UK on a research grant. David specializes in studying bogs, particularly the corpses found preserved within. In a small English village, David uncovers not just a spate of bog bodies, but colorful legends – legends that point toward the true nature of an ancient evil responsible for the death of the bodies he is now unearthing. As readers slowly settle in for what first appears to be a creature feature, Talbot serves up a few interesting twists alongside a couple doses of personal tragedy and plenty of foreboding dread.
One of the things I most appreciated about The Bog was Talbot’s plotting. Even the most seemingly insignificant plot points and character beats play into the larger narrative and receive certain payoffs as the story resolves. A character’s veganism, a child’s fascination with the word ‘moxie’, a tavern’s clienteles apprehension over the appearance of a moth all lead to larger elements within the story, and the introduction of these minor points help to, in various ways, bring The Bog full-circle by book’s end. Throughout the story, Talbot introduces a number of concepts that I enjoyed quite a bit, particularly in regards to the nature of the evil infecting the small hamlet Macauley and his family find themselves inhabiting, which dovetails nicely with David’s work as a historian and scholar.
Reissued by Valancourt, The Bog is narrated by Matt Godfrey. I’ve only recently become familiar with Godfrey’s work, but he’s quickly earned with me the reputation of being a solid reader. I can expect a natural delivery complemented by subtle performances and distinct voice-work for each of the characters. In that regard, The Bog meets expectations. Each of the male and female characters presented here is clearly delineated and unmistakably unique. Listening to this book through my car’s audio system during my daily commute, I could not detect any flaws in the audio production, and the sound is crisp, clean, and well-modulated.
Readers looking for some high-end 80s horror should find a lot to enjoy in Talbot’s work. While The Bog is a bit of a slow-burn, it is ultimately quite enjoyable. Patient readers will be greatly rewarded by the way certain puzzle pieces of the plot align and snap into place as the story progresses.
November 26, 2016
This "old school" creature feature centers around an interesting phenomenon: the almost perfectly preserved bog bodies occasionally found in Europe.
Professor David MacCauley and his assistant Brad unearth a bog body near a small village. After David and his family move there so he has easier access to the bog, he and his family start to realize that strange things are happening in the village and bog. The villagers are self-contained to the point of rudeness, and the local Marquis (with his old manor on the edge of the bog lake) is beyond strange. As things escalate, David and his family must confront something out of an ancient nightmare.
About half-ways through the book, I felt that it switches to more of a sci-fi novel than horror. I like sci-fi so I didn't mind, but those looking for a strictly horror novel might do well to be forewarned. There's things going on such as . The Bog is a good, solid read for those looking for a creature feature with strong sci-fi elements.
Professor David MacCauley and his assistant Brad unearth a bog body near a small village. After David and his family move there so he has easier access to the bog, he and his family start to realize that strange things are happening in the village and bog. The villagers are self-contained to the point of rudeness, and the local Marquis (with his old manor on the edge of the bog lake) is beyond strange. As things escalate, David and his family must confront something out of an ancient nightmare.
About half-ways through the book, I felt that it switches to more of a sci-fi novel than horror. I like sci-fi so I didn't mind, but those looking for a strictly horror novel might do well to be forewarned. There's things going on such as . The Bog is a good, solid read for those looking for a creature feature with strong sci-fi elements.
October 24, 2018
Well damn…this was waaay more than I thought it was going to be. What looks to be your standard 80’s style creature feature from the cover gets all kinds of wild and crazy on the inside.
I dug it.
I dug it.
January 19, 2024
I went into The Bog by Michael Talbot with somewhat low expectations. The story was actually quite fantastic with a lot more going on than just a spooky old bog. Folks that have enjoyed anything from Valancourt Books should read The Bog.
June 8, 2018
DNF 48%
My DNFing of this book has much more to do with me than it does the actual book. After rhizotomy number two, I'm stuck in my bed looking something like this:
I started this audiobook right after rhizotomy number one (just shy of three weeks ago) and as I felt better, decided to save the second half for my second one, as these procedures make it difficult for me to hold a book or kindle for an extended period of time. Unfortunately, I think I waited too long to finish, I'm kind of over this book. Sure, it's atmospheric and creepy but the further I get into it, the less sense it makes. It leaves a lot to the imagination, which is always good, but it suddenly took a really weird turn and I'm just super confused. Suddenly we have a centaur in a garden and a vague monster thing that like to seduce women in the form of other men? What is happening? I DON'T KNOW DAMNIT AND I'M SO CONFUSED. I don't think this is a bad book by any means, which is why I'm taking a few quick minutes to review it despite the fact that my neck hates me, I can't turn my head, and I feel like death warmed over. The narrator is wonderful but I just can't muster the enthusiasm to finish the remaining five hours. In many ways, I actually do recommend it if creepy books (with an interesting bit of history) are your thing, but it lost me and I'm ready to listen to something else.
My DNFing of this book has much more to do with me than it does the actual book. After rhizotomy number two, I'm stuck in my bed looking something like this:
I started this audiobook right after rhizotomy number one (just shy of three weeks ago) and as I felt better, decided to save the second half for my second one, as these procedures make it difficult for me to hold a book or kindle for an extended period of time. Unfortunately, I think I waited too long to finish, I'm kind of over this book. Sure, it's atmospheric and creepy but the further I get into it, the less sense it makes. It leaves a lot to the imagination, which is always good, but it suddenly took a really weird turn and I'm just super confused. Suddenly we have a centaur in a garden and a vague monster thing that like to seduce women in the form of other men? What is happening? I DON'T KNOW DAMNIT AND I'M SO CONFUSED. I don't think this is a bad book by any means, which is why I'm taking a few quick minutes to review it despite the fact that my neck hates me, I can't turn my head, and I feel like death warmed over. The narrator is wonderful but I just can't muster the enthusiasm to finish the remaining five hours. In many ways, I actually do recommend it if creepy books (with an interesting bit of history) are your thing, but it lost me and I'm ready to listen to something else.
February 6, 2017
Excellent classic '80s horror, really well written and reminded me of Phil Rickman's 'The Man in the Moss', since the starting point of the story features bog bodies. But there are far more obvious supernatural goings-on here, as well as strange native village folk and things that live in the darkest parts of the woods.
Recommended.
Recommended.
June 26, 2015
My actual score for the book would be more like 3.5-stars. I quite liked it, but I also quite disliked certain portions of it, and so while the whole could be seen as something like a 4-star book, it is only with the admittance that certain of its negative qualities tick upon the back of my mind while thinking about it. Though the book ends up more bonkers than expected, in what way I cannot speak of, at all, without encroaching upon spoiler territory, I find the book manages to wear its bonkers content proudly enough to nearly work, an achievement in itself; for, it is often the bits of the book that do not clearly see themselves through that lets the book down. It is aware of the issues it is stirring, but ultimately brings them to life in a half-living state, and ends up feeling crowded while incomplete.
To give some context to my comments, the first third of the book is largely archeological curiosity mixed with "rural village in England and stay off the moors!" horror, dealing with the finding of bog-bodies [look them up, fascinating!] and a weird town full of insular, misshapen folks and sinister gentry. In the second third, we have introduced a few social issues: the wife of the protagonist realizes that she is putting her life on hold, indefinitely, for her family; there are talks of infidelity; we get a hint at child abuse and bullying; what would count as a rape though it is never quite described as such; and a few other bits. Nearly none of these are ever allowed to come to a proper head, so are frustratingly in the way of the final third of the book. The final third is bonkers, and embraces its own kookiness so well that I am obligated to give it a pass and even admit that I enjoyed it.
In the end, had the story been more about the wife instead of the husband, I think the middle third would have worked out much better. Imagine, rather than her being the housewife to a well-published expert drug along on another big find, she had been the person behind the dig, maybe on her first big break, and bringing along a reluctant husband who found her career an impediment to his own. Then the second third would have made more sense, and the finale would have been less a "save the dame!" plot and more a "save yourself!" one. With the husband the undisputed main focus and the wife largely discarded as anything more than a shrill mother/wife hybrid in the final third, it seems like it would best to largely skip the middle third because some of the issues brought up need nuance to work and the book barely gives them such.
In the end, the horror/action stuff is 4-stars, while the social/thinking stuff is lower, but one can imagine a similar story that better balanced the two and succeeding where this one did not, while also succeeding where this one did.
To give some context to my comments, the first third of the book is largely archeological curiosity mixed with "rural village in England and stay off the moors!" horror, dealing with the finding of bog-bodies [look them up, fascinating!] and a weird town full of insular, misshapen folks and sinister gentry. In the second third, we have introduced a few social issues: the wife of the protagonist realizes that she is putting her life on hold, indefinitely, for her family; there are talks of infidelity; we get a hint at child abuse and bullying; what would count as a rape though it is never quite described as such; and a few other bits. Nearly none of these are ever allowed to come to a proper head, so are frustratingly in the way of the final third of the book. The final third is bonkers, and embraces its own kookiness so well that I am obligated to give it a pass and even admit that I enjoyed it.
In the end, had the story been more about the wife instead of the husband, I think the middle third would have worked out much better. Imagine, rather than her being the housewife to a well-published expert drug along on another big find, she had been the person behind the dig, maybe on her first big break, and bringing along a reluctant husband who found her career an impediment to his own. Then the second third would have made more sense, and the finale would have been less a "save the dame!" plot and more a "save yourself!" one. With the husband the undisputed main focus and the wife largely discarded as anything more than a shrill mother/wife hybrid in the final third, it seems like it would best to largely skip the middle third because some of the issues brought up need nuance to work and the book barely gives them such.
In the end, the horror/action stuff is 4-stars, while the social/thinking stuff is lower, but one can imagine a similar story that better balanced the two and succeeding where this one did not, while also succeeding where this one did.
January 1, 2018
I've been looking for years for the definitive horror novel set in a bog. Neither Rick Hautala's Moonbog nor Phil Rickman's The Man in the Moss quite hit the mark, and I was hoping that Michael Talbot's The Bog -- featuring the actual bog bodies and enjoying a reprint by Valancourt Books -- would be the one. Alas, I'm still looking.
The story gets off to a good start, but it suffers for not being atmospheric and having weak characterization, and that the narrative itself feels very telly. The story also jumps all over the place, so that as soon as you start to get a handle on one part of the plot, Talbot introduces a different aspect of it and decides to make that the focus of his story.
It also doesn't help that this is another book featuring a character with an eidetic memory, which makes this the fourth book in the last three months to feature one. This isn't Talbot's fault -- if anything, this book has the earliest publication date of all four books -- but it is a tiresome device, and one that's still being reused. It just hurts that I've seen it so frequently in my latest reads.
Another aspect of the book that felt weak was the magic Talbot incorporated into the story. For me, what makes a magic system work is its rules; they have to hang together well, and the story has to be supported by those rules. Talbot explains all of the rules, but he doesn't do so until nearly the end of the book, so for much of the story we're wading about, trying to understand why things are happening the way they do. I think the story would have been stronger had we had those rules explained earlier in the book.
The Delicate Dependency was an odd book with fast-paced action interspersed with boring day-to-day minutiae, and I was expecting something similar with The Bog, Talbot's second book. Instead, what I got was an unfocused mess with a few points in its favor, but not enough to elevate it to the classic status I was expecting from a Valancourt reprint. Maybe I just let my expectations get the better of me.
The story gets off to a good start, but it suffers for not being atmospheric and having weak characterization, and that the narrative itself feels very telly. The story also jumps all over the place, so that as soon as you start to get a handle on one part of the plot, Talbot introduces a different aspect of it and decides to make that the focus of his story.
It also doesn't help that this is another book featuring a character with an eidetic memory, which makes this the fourth book in the last three months to feature one. This isn't Talbot's fault -- if anything, this book has the earliest publication date of all four books -- but it is a tiresome device, and one that's still being reused. It just hurts that I've seen it so frequently in my latest reads.
Another aspect of the book that felt weak was the magic Talbot incorporated into the story. For me, what makes a magic system work is its rules; they have to hang together well, and the story has to be supported by those rules. Talbot explains all of the rules, but he doesn't do so until nearly the end of the book, so for much of the story we're wading about, trying to understand why things are happening the way they do. I think the story would have been stronger had we had those rules explained earlier in the book.
The Delicate Dependency was an odd book with fast-paced action interspersed with boring day-to-day minutiae, and I was expecting something similar with The Bog, Talbot's second book. Instead, what I got was an unfocused mess with a few points in its favor, but not enough to elevate it to the classic status I was expecting from a Valancourt reprint. Maybe I just let my expectations get the better of me.
June 20, 2018
This is a pretty good horror listen (I used Audible). It does have the unsuspecting family, the townspeople who act mysteriously, and the brooding mansion that overlooks everything--especially the spooky bog. The Marquis who chooses to dwell in the mansion in the bog is a strange and disturbing figure--rude one day and charmingly attentive the next. His companion, an exotic young beauty by the name of Julia, has an ambiguous relationship with the older Marquis. Is she his wife? daughter? mistress? niece? No one knows. The only thing everyone agrees on is that she is smoking hot.
From here, this rather predictable setting takes some unexpected and quite unusual turns. It wasn't a story that made me uneasy about being alone in the house at night, but it was very enjoyable to read. David did get on my nerves at times, especially toward the end when he As you can see, this irritated me! Aside from that, I highly recommend it!
From here, this rather predictable setting takes some unexpected and quite unusual turns. It wasn't a story that made me uneasy about being alone in the house at night, but it was very enjoyable to read. David did get on my nerves at times, especially toward the end when he As you can see, this irritated me! Aside from that, I highly recommend it!
February 19, 2018
The book was repackaged in 2017, but originally published in 1986. This explained the specific writing style and why a few elements felt dated. The author also used ly words – exhausted-ly, caressing-ly, etc. – to the point of distraction. That said, it is a well written and researched book. The story goes in crazy, wild directions. Most of these twists I saw coming, a few I did not. The hero is not flawless, which I liked. A flaw that was most unfortunate is the pacing. In the beginning, and middle it’s like a modern Gothic horror story, which is good, and is paced according-ly. But, as the climax builds, the pace does not quicken. I did finish the book, wanting to know how it would end, so it is written compelling-ly. But the story reveals did leave me feeling that this was a fun, but uneven experience.
August 16, 2025
This book wasn't bad, but I'm definitely sick of the trope where "the real horror is being trapped in a loveless marriage". These freaking people act like divorce doesn't exist! It's hard to have sympathy for a situation that is self-induced and could be voluntarily ended at any point.
February 9, 2018
It is rare I actually get so annoyed about a book that I go to rate it but this drivel has compelled me to prevent anyone else from the miserable hours I spent listening to this on the commute to work. The amount of times I had to pause it just to take a break from the predictable monotony. Oh and also goodreaders - I blame you. An aggregate score of 3.8 meant I thought I had found a good one, lies!
Firstly, the characters - or lack thereof. The youngest is a precocious little twit who irritated me so much I was rooting for his demise...how bad does a character have to be for me to wish death on a six year old?!
The daughter who featured primarily suddenly dropped out of the story and apart from token references to her crying that was about it. The wife was unlikable, the situation she gets herself into is never explored in terms of their marriage and that seemed a little ridiculous. The husband and main character is just a childish, selfish idiot who, for someone so "intellectual" misses pretty obvious things going on at home. One of the character "surprises" revealed at the end, I guessed almost as soon as they were introduced (you will too it's apart from a flashing sign it's pretty obvious) and then the "baddies" well I just couldn't be horrified or remotely scared by them. The attitude of the village was laughable, I mean the inbreeding could have at least been further explored to make it more interesting but no. If it wasn't for a sex scene this could be a really really dull goosebumps book. Think Rosemary's baby meets The Mummy meets Jeepers Creepers. When the noise of a journey on the Central line is preferable to your audiobook you know it's not for you. I will never read anything from this author again.
Firstly, the characters - or lack thereof. The youngest is a precocious little twit who irritated me so much I was rooting for his demise...how bad does a character have to be for me to wish death on a six year old?!
The daughter who featured primarily suddenly dropped out of the story and apart from token references to her crying that was about it. The wife was unlikable, the situation she gets herself into is never explored in terms of their marriage and that seemed a little ridiculous. The husband and main character is just a childish, selfish idiot who, for someone so "intellectual" misses pretty obvious things going on at home. One of the character "surprises" revealed at the end, I guessed almost as soon as they were introduced (you will too it's apart from a flashing sign it's pretty obvious) and then the "baddies" well I just couldn't be horrified or remotely scared by them. The attitude of the village was laughable, I mean the inbreeding could have at least been further explored to make it more interesting but no. If it wasn't for a sex scene this could be a really really dull goosebumps book. Think Rosemary's baby meets The Mummy meets Jeepers Creepers. When the noise of a journey on the Central line is preferable to your audiobook you know it's not for you. I will never read anything from this author again.
May 22, 2019
Fun read. Not gory with a high body count, but certainly creepy and atmospheric, with the bog itself the star character in my opinion. The science is good and presented in an interesting manner, and the story moves at a steady clip with no real lulls to bore the reader. The last quarter of the book takes a fantastical aspect I really didn’t expect, and surges to a satisfactory climax. Not particularly grim or downbeat, more like an 80’s horror/thriller movie with a happy ending that is a nice change. Recommended.
October 15, 2022
**** 4.6 STARS ****
Michael Talbot only wrote 3 fiction novels in his life. Unfortunately he died at the early age of 38, but he left a legacy of three great horror books. None more so than the 1986 horror novel, The Bog.
The Bog is a fantastic book similar in vein to early Stephen King. Set in a small village in England, with an eccentric cast of characters, an American archaeologist and his family move in to investigate a bog. The bog has heaps of atmosphere, similar to the old Hammer Horror films, monsters, and a bit of the fantasy genre thrown in.
Don't get caught short, read The Bog.
Michael Talbot only wrote 3 fiction novels in his life. Unfortunately he died at the early age of 38, but he left a legacy of three great horror books. None more so than the 1986 horror novel, The Bog.
The Bog is a fantastic book similar in vein to early Stephen King. Set in a small village in England, with an eccentric cast of characters, an American archaeologist and his family move in to investigate a bog. The bog has heaps of atmosphere, similar to the old Hammer Horror films, monsters, and a bit of the fantasy genre thrown in.
Don't get caught short, read The Bog.
July 11, 2015
The Bog
Excellent read! Have always been drawn to the horror genre but this is so much more. The weaving of the protagonist family trials and tribulations make for a compelling read that genuinely lets you feel for the characters.
Excellent read! Have always been drawn to the horror genre but this is so much more. The weaving of the protagonist family trials and tribulations make for a compelling read that genuinely lets you feel for the characters.
January 12, 2016
Although this won't be the best horror novel you'll ever read, the ghoulish surprises, the wonderfully-written prose and the extent of terrible knowledge make it a book worth a look at.
September 19, 2020
Archeologists researching bog bodies encounter an ancient evil in the marshlands outside a small English village. Spooky, creepy and and rife with gothic atmosphere.
August 9, 2023
A lot of this 80s folk horror novel is great, but it meandered just enough towards the end to turn me off a bit. Some good good characters but a bit too much magic (felt like I was reading a D&D module) and a bit too little horror.
August 24, 2022
What at first glimpse sounds like some ancient creature feature, actually is an intricately woven story with many fascinating facets to explore. With an eye for detail the author creates a small universe from the bog and the village nestled next to it. Like a threshold to the past, the bog holds many secrets and when archaeologist David Macauley starts to excavate them, he and his family soon become the target of an indescribable evil that has haunted the village for centuries. And once it has set its eyes on you, it won't let you go...
I loved how the background of the bog's creepy history was slowly revealed, including time travel and other astounding twists that add an unexpected but welcomed depth to the story. This is not a straight-forward story, but a haunting and lingering horror that slowly creeps over you.
I loved how the background of the bog's creepy history was slowly revealed, including time travel and other astounding twists that add an unexpected but welcomed depth to the story. This is not a straight-forward story, but a haunting and lingering horror that slowly creeps over you.
May 22, 2020
Nothing ground breaking, but this was a very fun read. I loved the myths and history that the author drew upon.
October 20, 2017
I loved every minute of The Bog by Michael Talbot. Night Things was the first Talbot book I read, and it will likely always be my favorite of his. However, The Bog is right up there and takes the same hard science approach to supernatural phenomena and turns science on its head by taking things so deep into the crazy yet explainable that the character's beliefs are all reconsidered. Loved this ride and highly recommended.
January 2, 2022
"Reaching up into the air he suddenly plucked a sword from the nothingness and brought it crashing down."
After a smashing first half, THE BOG took a hard 90° turn into fantasy-land, and lost me in the process. It's no compliment to say that THE BOG is a big improvement on the book it most reminded me of, James Herbert's execrable SEPULCHRE. Marilyn Harris' unforgettable THE DIVINER incorporated fantasy and horror more originally and effectively than either of these books.
I most enjoyed Talbot's vividly conveyed and unusual setting. He is a fine writer and skillfully weaves in details about the ancient rituals and languages, so they never overwhelm the story while they add tremendous atmosphere and interest. Too bad the titular sludge eventually gets forgotten in favor of sword fights over enchanted jewels etc. Anyway I highly recommend the first half. Read through the end of chapter seven, and then put the book down!
"Finally they reached a large and muddy clearing encircled by an almost impenetrable wall of blackthorn and mountain ash, and Amanda stopped. As they stood there for a moment David slowly became aware that another smell now mingled with the background scent of the place. It was an unpleasant smell, a fetor of putrefaction not unlike the stench that had begun to filter through the cottage. Equally foreboding, he noticed that the cacophanous buzzing of the flies had grown even louder. Amanda pointed at a large clump of brambles.
David stepped forward, his boots squishing ominously in the black muck, until he saw what she was pointing at. There was a body beneath the brambles ..."
After a smashing first half, THE BOG took a hard 90° turn into fantasy-land, and lost me in the process. It's no compliment to say that THE BOG is a big improvement on the book it most reminded me of, James Herbert's execrable SEPULCHRE. Marilyn Harris' unforgettable THE DIVINER incorporated fantasy and horror more originally and effectively than either of these books.
I most enjoyed Talbot's vividly conveyed and unusual setting. He is a fine writer and skillfully weaves in details about the ancient rituals and languages, so they never overwhelm the story while they add tremendous atmosphere and interest. Too bad the titular sludge eventually gets forgotten in favor of sword fights over enchanted jewels etc. Anyway I highly recommend the first half. Read through the end of chapter seven, and then put the book down!
"Finally they reached a large and muddy clearing encircled by an almost impenetrable wall of blackthorn and mountain ash, and Amanda stopped. As they stood there for a moment David slowly became aware that another smell now mingled with the background scent of the place. It was an unpleasant smell, a fetor of putrefaction not unlike the stench that had begun to filter through the cottage. Equally foreboding, he noticed that the cacophanous buzzing of the flies had grown even louder. Amanda pointed at a large clump of brambles.
David stepped forward, his boots squishing ominously in the black muck, until he saw what she was pointing at. There was a body beneath the brambles ..."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews