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How Grim Was My Valley
Welcome to a darker world... Robert wakes up on the Welsh side of the Severn Bridge with no memory of who he is or how he got there. Determined to reclaim his identity, he embarks on an odyssey through the country of Wales, bearing witness to the stories both the people and the land itself feel moved to tell him. Every new tale brings him one step closer to learning the truth about himself.
John Llewellyn Probert has written a gripping romp of a book, a portmanteau novel steeped in the myths and secret tales of his native Wales. A compendium of the sinister that draws the reader inexorably forward, as we share in Robert's quest to discover the truth, wherever that may lead.
The novel features an introduction by master of horror Ramsey Campbell.
“Well done to it and its author! He brings a feast of wonders and horrors and I’m just the greeter at the door. Welcome and be seated, if you aren’t already. Here comes the first course, and before long you’ll be replete with imagination.” – Ramsey Campbell in his introduction.
“Be gripped by this romp immediately! I'd been looking forward to another of the author's fix-ups since… 2009. These truly haunting stories most definitely repay the wait. Obscenely recommended.” – Vault of Evil
“…it’s more the eerie scenery, the whole atmosphere Probert creates that makes the book a really chilling experience… Lots of traditional style horror fun. Lovecraft fans should definitely have a look!” – LibraryThing reviewer .
John Llewellyn Probert has written a gripping romp of a book, a portmanteau novel steeped in the myths and secret tales of his native Wales. A compendium of the sinister that draws the reader inexorably forward, as we share in Robert's quest to discover the truth, wherever that may lead.
The novel features an introduction by master of horror Ramsey Campbell.
“Well done to it and its author! He brings a feast of wonders and horrors and I’m just the greeter at the door. Welcome and be seated, if you aren’t already. Here comes the first course, and before long you’ll be replete with imagination.” – Ramsey Campbell in his introduction.
“Be gripped by this romp immediately! I'd been looking forward to another of the author's fix-ups since… 2009. These truly haunting stories most definitely repay the wait. Obscenely recommended.” – Vault of Evil
“…it’s more the eerie scenery, the whole atmosphere Probert creates that makes the book a really chilling experience… Lots of traditional style horror fun. Lovecraft fans should definitely have a look!” – LibraryThing reviewer .
295 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 4, 2022
How Grim Was My Valley by John Llewellyn Probert.
I got an e-book copy of this thanks to LibraryThing, in exchange for a honest review. I thought I would like it and it would fit my style when I requested it from the Early Reviewers List, and I was not wrong, it delivers what it promises. It even has an introduction by the great Ramsey Campbell praising it, and that must mean something. Also, the author is from Wales through and through and it shows, as it should in a book like this.
Moreover, the title caught my eye with its game of words... Very adequate and to the point.
This work does not hide its influences: Lovecraft, mostly, Machen... Which I have read often and with pleasure.
The form is a series of tales, united by a common thread, which is discovered at the end. This way of narrating and this ending (i don't want to give spoilers here) is not exactly original, but it is adequate.
Every story is more or less unique, imitating a style, and leading towards the conclusion. And there could easily be a second series of stories, now that we know what it is really about. It would lose the surprise element if you hadn't guessed it, but it would allow other things for the development.
I got an e-book copy of this thanks to LibraryThing, in exchange for a honest review. I thought I would like it and it would fit my style when I requested it from the Early Reviewers List, and I was not wrong, it delivers what it promises. It even has an introduction by the great Ramsey Campbell praising it, and that must mean something. Also, the author is from Wales through and through and it shows, as it should in a book like this.
Moreover, the title caught my eye with its game of words... Very adequate and to the point.
This work does not hide its influences: Lovecraft, mostly, Machen... Which I have read often and with pleasure.
The form is a series of tales, united by a common thread, which is discovered at the end. This way of narrating and this ending (i don't want to give spoilers here) is not exactly original, but it is adequate.
Every story is more or less unique, imitating a style, and leading towards the conclusion. And there could easily be a second series of stories, now that we know what it is really about. It would lose the surprise element if you hadn't guessed it, but it would allow other things for the development.
February 4, 2023
Thanks to LibraryThing Early Reviewers for the ARC of this book.
I really enjoyed these stories, even stayed up past my bedtime reading them, which was probably unwise given the horror genre.
Now, I’m fairly new to horror, so the foreword was a bit over my head and I have to admit I skimmed a lot of it to get to the actual stories faster.
Once I got there, the book took the form of a frame story about amnesiac Robert, who travels through Wales trying to find a way to regain his memory, while being told stories at every turn. I was invested in Robert, as well as the various protagonists of the stories within the story. I think my favourite of these was ‘The Church With Bleeding Windows’, which combined a bit of gore with humour. I also loved the deliciously creepy “By Any Other Name”. I’d recommend this to any horror fan.
I really enjoyed these stories, even stayed up past my bedtime reading them, which was probably unwise given the horror genre.
Now, I’m fairly new to horror, so the foreword was a bit over my head and I have to admit I skimmed a lot of it to get to the actual stories faster.
Once I got there, the book took the form of a frame story about amnesiac Robert, who travels through Wales trying to find a way to regain his memory, while being told stories at every turn. I was invested in Robert, as well as the various protagonists of the stories within the story. I think my favourite of these was ‘The Church With Bleeding Windows’, which combined a bit of gore with humour. I also loved the deliciously creepy “By Any Other Name”. I’d recommend this to any horror fan.
June 25, 2026
I found this book through recommendation and absolutely loved it although it is not for the faint-hearted. The book is a set of short stories that are connected by the journey through Wales of Robert, a man who wakes up on the Welsh side of the Severn Bridge with no memory of who he is or how he got there. He travels through Wales trying to regain his memory and, in the process, hears stories about the people and the land itself, stories that reveal a darker world.
It is a great read with chilling stories that evoke the strangeness of the land itself, and the things exist just outside the norm. The stores are all evocative of a dark world that fits the eerie tone so well. There isn't one story that doesn't work.
A definite read for anyway who likes creepy, bone-chilling short stories reminding me of the tales of Lovecraft, Poe and M.R. James but with a modern twist to them.
It is a great read with chilling stories that evoke the strangeness of the land itself, and the things exist just outside the norm. The stores are all evocative of a dark world that fits the eerie tone so well. There isn't one story that doesn't work.
A definite read for anyway who likes creepy, bone-chilling short stories reminding me of the tales of Lovecraft, Poe and M.R. James but with a modern twist to them.
January 10, 2023
This was a great, spooky read! I wasn't sure what to expect going in so watching this book unfold was a fun and bone-chilling experience. I loved the framework of the book - short stories that were tied together by an overarching plot. Some of these stories are going to stick with me for a very long time! The Welsh backdrop really added to the mood of the book and I found Robert to be a character that I was rooting for, even as he descended deeper into the strangeness of what was happening to him. The payoff at the end of the book was perfect - I really couldn't think how things were going to come together but the author managed an ending that was so satisfying and yet still left the door open for the future. I would absolutely read another of these if it ever became a series!
[I received a free copy of this book as part of the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program]
[I received a free copy of this book as part of the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program]
December 16, 2022
I thought this series of short stories was amazing. I had never read this author before but really enjoyed his style of writing. Very Lovecraftian. I received a copy of this book from LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review. I’m so glad! I love horror story collections and was hoping some of the stories would be good. I am glad to say there wasn’t one story I didn’t like. If you like quirky eerie stories with a central theme running through it, you will enjoy this. I now feel I must read some of his other work!
May 27, 2023
This was a fun book. Excellent horror portmanteau. Not a bad story in the bunch. "The Church With Bleeding Windows" was my favorite. Makes me want to visit Wales...though not alone, and not at night.
March 11, 2023
I’ve always enjoyed Probert’s fun, bloody, pulpy tales. Can’t say I thought the framing device in this collection was successful, but the individual stories are all strong.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews