After Dark

Silver John #2

by Manly Wade Wellman

Many eons ago a humanoid race with supernatural powers roamed the North American continent. But when vast hordes of Indians migrated across the Bering Strait land bridge, the Shonokins soon became a defeated people. The few remaining Shonokins were able to survive and evolve into an all-male race with man-like features except for cat-like eyes and an elongated third finger...

In a small southern mountain town, the Shonokins have resurfaced and are led by Brooke Altic, a recognized leading citizen. Altic is interested in recruiting Silver John, a young mountain man whom he meets at a local music festival. John and an old grizzly mountain farmer and his pretty daughter Callie Gray all get caught up in the Shonokin's effort to enlist John for their revolutionary plot.

Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Fiction, Thriller, Occult Detective, Pulp, Weird Fiction

184 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Bill Kerwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second novel in the Silver John series, although not up to the mythic quality of the short stories, is superior to Wellman's first full-length effort, "The Old Gods Waken." The basic plot is pretty standard--the good people have something the bad creatures want, so they attack the good guys' cabin after sundown, when their evil power is strongest--but the atmosphere is suspenseful and tense, and the evil creatures themselves (the "Shonokins") are interesting, and scary.

Give it a try. It's an easy read and hard to put down.

[[Name Redacted] · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this book as much as The Old Gods Waken, but it was still wonderful. It took a bit longer to get through, but once it hit its stride, I couldn't put it down. Manly Wade Wellman knows how to write Appalachian Weird Fiction.

I was also struck by how much he loves to subvert the reader's expectations. Part of this story involves a man defeating a witch -- "MISOGYNY!", you cry. But wait! That witch was serving an ALL-MALE race of supernatural beings who seek to subjugate women. And those supernatural beings? They're some of the original inhabitants of the Americas, who were conquered and overthrown by the Native Americans' ancestors! That's right -- the Native Americans were themselves conquerors and colonizers and imperialists, who oppressed and subjugated and nearly wiped out the original inhabitants of the Americas. But, as it turns out, they were right to do so. The original inhabitants were twisted monsters, and the only thing keeping them at bay was the knowledge and power of the Native Americans. Now the white man has taken over the continents and the supernatural horrors are stirring, taking advantage of the ignorance of the white men and the Native Americans' weakened state. It's all handled so deftly, so subtly that you might not pick up on it unless someone else points it out to you. Fortunately, I was prepared by the previous book.

[Иван Величков · Rating 4 out of 5]

ОК. Втората книга запазва високото ниво на първата, но отново попаднах на споменавания от предхождащите романите разкази, което само разпали любопитството ми. Както при всички криминални поредици и тук влиза сюжетен модел, който ще ме накара да разредя времето между романите. Джон попада при приятно настроени и симпатични планинци, отваря се паранормален проблем, Джон го решава с помощта на домакините си и приятели.
Вече свикнах с напевното южняшко наречие, което прави книгите почти баладични. Включването на стари фолклорни песни също помага. Като цяло много симпатична и доста различна поредица.
Хкхм, книгата, Иване:
Джон Баладиста, известен още като Сребърния Джон се мота из южния край на Апалачите, когато му се отваря възможност да се яви на състезание по надпяване. Там се запознава със симпатичната и даровита Кали Грей. Оказва се, че тя и баща ѝ имат малък междусъседски проблем – група наричаща себе си Шонинкини и вярваща, че са древна раса иска да закупи земята им, за да направи през нея ритуал за вдигане на мъртъвци. На помощ на култистите се включват алчен комшия и вещица. На помощ на Джон идва младеж, който и преди се е сблъсквал с пасмината и харесва Кали.
Въпреки простотата на сюжета, напрежението и мистерията покрай Шонинкин са много добре отиграни. Читателят до последно не знае на какво са способни и точно как ще принудят сем. Грей да си дадат земята. Има го онова хорър ехо от страха от неизвестното, което ценя много високо. Има и магия, тясно свързана със старите преселнически традиции и реални хора и писмена. Има балади пренесени в Щатите от английските заселници. Има засегнати проблеми с местното население. Има онова разбиващо клишето за реднеците писане на Уелман, което е изпълнени с любов към планините и коренните жители и което съм сигурен, че е придобито от първа ръка.
Симпатично четиво, много, може би понадух оценката, но – съдете ме.

[Michael DiBaggio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Other reviewers have already done a good job of explaining Silver John and author Wellman's enchanting depictions of Appalachian mystery and supernatural danger, so I needn't say anything more about that. If you've never read the Silver John stories, you really don't know what you're missing. They're wonderful, and After Dark is too, in its own way. Unfortunately, it's just not up to the same level as the short stories, so I recommend you start there if you want your first taste of Silver John, and come back to this book later. You'll also be able to understand and appreciate several of the references that John makes to his past adventures.

So yes, this book was worth reading and I enjoyed it, but I also felt a little disappointed after reading not just the Silver John short stores in "Who Fears the Devil?", but also the John Thunstone short stories where the evil Shonokins first appeared. Since the Shonokins generally live out in the country, predate the Indians, and apparently live in Gardinels (man-eating houses whose insides are like stomachs), they seemed like a perfect match up for Silver John. The confrontation just didn't live up to what I imagined, and in fact the Shonokins seemed somewhat half-hearted about their scheme. Or maybe they were just too arrogant to go about getting rid of the heroes in a more direct fashion. The Shonokins, though always chilling and giving the impression that they'd be a real terror to the unprepared, always ended up looking like incompetents when matched against someone with even a little bit of occult knowledge ("Can you afford to keep blundering?" John Thunstone once asked a Shonokin assassin). In After Dark, they take their blundering incompetence to a new level.

If you're wondering how I can make remarks like that and still give this book four stars, then you've probably never read a Silver John story. They're just that darn enjoyable and captivating.

[Debra]

Stephen King recommended author. In 1981's Danse Macabre, King dedicated his book as follows: "It's easy enough - perhaps too easy - to memorialize the dead. This book is for the six great writers of the macabre who are still alive." The six listed were Robert Bloch, Jorge Luis Borges, Ray Bradbury, Frank Belnap Long, Donald Wandrei, Manly Wade Wellman.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Manly Wade Wellman offers a unique take on horror (though it trends toward modern urban fantasy with its magical protagonist, John). This is very much a southern tale, with a wonderfully southern take on the horror.

It's also very much pulp in the same vein as Lovecraft, Howard, Smith, and others. We have here a lost race trying to war against the current holders of the Earth (and as I understand it, there are suggestions of cosmic horror in other Wellman stories).

For all those reasons, I really wanted to love this novel, but I feel like its time is past. It's too slow, too simple, and too arbitrary. At half or a quarter the length, it might have been strong, but here it feels like a long wait to a final base-under-siege climax with an inevitable conclusion.

The unique southern charm keeps you going, but not for that length (even though it's quite short for a modern novel).

[Delaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wasn't aware that this was a part of a series until I was just about done with the book, but it reads perfectly fine on its own! Gives me 'western/country Supernatural' vibes. Can't wait to read all of the others!

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of Wellman's John the Balladeer/Silver John books. They're stand alone books set in rural America. Think the Ozarks, Appalachians, etc. John is a wanderer who travels with his guitar strung with silver strings, a store of stories and a general knowledge of American folklore. He lends a hand to help out with problems of mundane or supernatural origins.[return][return]This particular books deals with John trying ot over come a race of evil supernatural beings and their worshippers. It's interesting and fast paced. It's hard to find, and very enjoyable.

[Hugo · Rating 5 out of 5]

An improvement on Wellman's first John the Balladeer novel, though still not as satisfyingly accomplished as the preceding short stories—which this, even at 184 pages, resembles plot-wise—as John simply turns up to a way-out location and battles evil (here, the Shonokins of Wellman's John Thunstone stories). Still, it's entertainingly told, with plenty of folk magic and character, more beautiful turns of vernacular—which I never tire of reading—and despite that it all culminates in a siege ending which doesn't stand up to much logical scrutiny, I had a great time.

[Kevin Lucia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my second read through of this, and for some reason, I enjoyed it much more than the first time. The Lost and the Lurking is still my favorite, but this one runs a close second. Again, if you're a fan of the paranormal/occult investigator/fighter, Silver John is great archetype which clearly set the foundation for those who came after. And now, after this, I want to hunt up Wellman's John Thunstone stories.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't a masterpiece or anything, but I found it really charming. The dialect and polite perspective in this weird Appalachian supernatural story made up for the rather mundane structure. For the most part, Silver John just hangs out in his new friends' cabin, a bunch of weirdos keep dropping by and they venture out to explore the various creepy neighbors from time to time. And, this isn't a spoiler as the novel makes it pretty clear what's going to happen, it culminates into what you think is going to be a home invasion story.

The whole thing kind of feels like an early 80s made-for-TV movie. But one you have an endearing nostalgia for.

The thing I think I liked the most about this was the distinctly Christian magic. It made real what many Christian superstitions perpetuate, including the I Ching parallel of opening a bible to see what random quotes predict, The Sator Square, etc. It doesn't really come across as goofy and totally works well in the world he paints.

The Appalachian propriety both makes this book uniquely compelling in a horror story, but also makes everything rather absurd and long winded as characters are in serious danger, but people feel compelled to talk things out constantly. But it all works well enough.

Having now read Wellman's first two Silver John novellas, I feel that while I enjoyed them, they both might have been better trimmed tighter to novelettes. That's not going to stop me from reading the rest of this series, eventually.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

“After Dark” is the second of the five “Silver John” novels by Manley Wade Wellman. The protagonist is a mountain man known only as “John” who has a guitar strung with sliver strings. He’s a singer, who collects ballads and folk songs, as well as folklore. He was a soldier in the Korean War, where he was a PFC, and a sharpshooter. He’s returned to Appalachia, and wanders, singing and interacting with the country folks he encounters.

It’s become quite difficult to find and read these novels, as they seem mostly out of print. “The Old Gods Waken” is the first of these, and was an interesting read. “After Dark” is similar, in that John in his travels comes upon mountain folk who are menaced, and takes their side. This novel features a race of beings created by Wellman called the Shonokins. These Shonokins existed in North America prior to the arrival of the Native Americans from Asia over the Bering Land Bridge. They fought a long war, but eventually were displaced. They now lurk in the hills and hollows of Appalachia, and a group of them has become the owners of lands around the former town of Immer. They seek to raise up occult power, and reclaim their former glory.

John and his local companions first find out about their plans, then set out to stop them. It’s a straightforward story, and an easy read. It has that essentially unique mix of fantasy, folklore, and horror that is infused with the sayings and history of the region.

[William Korn · Rating 4 out of 5]

John, as portrayed in an iconic collection of short stories (John the Balladeer), is a sort of paladin of the Appalachians - a man of formidable honor, champion of those oppressed by evil, unflinching enemy of those who use evil to oppress, and with all of that humble and undemanding of those he champions.

I read John the Balladeer MANY years ago and continue to revisit it with love. In recent years, I've sampled a few of the novel-length stories of "Silver John" and found them rather more variable. Some are short stories shamelessly padded and not worth the effort. But this book was a good read from beginning to end. I don't know that I'd read it again (thus a rating of "4" rather than "5" stars), but it was a pleasure to read once.

[Fraser Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The second Silver John novel (as others have said, the short stories are better) pits John against the Shonokin, the pre-Columbian, pre-Native American rulers of the continent. They've set up a small settlement in the Appalachians from which they're extending a track along a ley line to tap occult power. One landowner lies in their way ...good thing John's visiting!
The Shonokin appeared in Wellman's John Thunstone stories of the 1930s, but he's a better writer now. Thunstone defeated his enemies effortlessly; John has to work at it. Even so, John and his allies seem to know a little too much convenient magic when things get tough.
Still, this is more a story of ominous mood than sorcerous battles and it certainly works as such.

[Chris Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a strange little book - it feels like a charming, low budget, ramshackle rural horror film from the mid seventies and I enjoyed it very much. Something about the small scale universe of it (effectively it’s a siege story but with thinly veiled vampires) and Wellman’s obvious knowledge of the milieu is very charming. Occasionally there’s the sense of the writer throwing way too much scholarship, and showing off a little in the process, at the page but again that’s quite sweetly done. I really enjoyed it, mainly because it doesn’t go for huge elder god rural horror. It knows what it wants to do and is resolutely old fashioned but that’s in no way a bad thing at all

[Dan Carey · Rating 2 out of 5]

For such a short book, this was a real slog. I kept at it because of Wellman's reputation as a writer. But this volume did not hold up to that. Not much character development. Abrupt expositions. Long, slow-paced passages that didn't really advance the plot. All that coupled with a general inability to engage my suspension of disbelief. And to make matters worse, it seems this e-book was generated from a scan of a print edition and I would swear that no one paid for a copy editor to review the results. The text is rife with spelling errors, missing quote marks, quirky line endings, etc. Shame on the publishers for putting out such shoddy work!

[Jamie McLendon · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Pretty good novella based on Wellman's popular folk balladeer/hoodoo exorcist John, a kind of Merlefest version of Fox Mulder. The mountain dialect at times can be a little tricky, requiring the reader (or me, at least) to say it aloud. (I've had similar experiences when reading Krazy Kat.)
In fact, Wellman's so adept at immersing the reader into the mountain culture that when characters speak in a normal fashion, it's kind of a shock. The Shonokins are an interesting concept, though their interest in John doesn't really hold up. Still, it's a fun, quick read with some genuine creepiness.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A traveling hillbilly bard with a heart of gold and magical powers who is drawn to strange and supernatural situations? Hell yeah!
I appreciate Wellman's writing from the perspective and in the language/tone of Appalachian folks but can see this being a difficult read for some. The story took some time to pick up but once it did I was charmed for sure. Keep in mind this is just a fun, pulp read.

It's clear that in many ways Wellman was a more progressive thinker for his time. Will definitely read more from this author.

[Knight Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked Silver John #1, Old Gods Awaken, quite a bit better than this one. In fact this story parallels that in many ways (i.e., the young couple doing dishes and starting a love affair, the crusty old cabin owner, etc). It's near the end that to me, the "suspense" dragged on and on and on. I found myself skimming where normally I love Wellman's writing style. Still, I liked the book, and will read more from Wellman if I can find them.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story works because Wellman has such a deft touch with Silver John, but the plot is honestly pretty dopey. It could have maybe worked as a novella, but the ins and outs of the antagonists' plans are just plain dumb and due to the deliberate narrative tempo of the Silver John stories the audience has plenty of time to mull over how uninteresting the nemeses are.

[Deborah Replogle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wellman's Silver John and John Thunstone series are some of my all times favorites. They evoke the mysteries of the Appalachian's and their folklore. These stories just take me to a wonderful place.

[Jeffrey L Bennett · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would have earned a higher rating except that this ebook version is full of transcription and formatting errors. I get the feeling it was scanned and converted into text and never reviewed by an editor.

[Jay Rothermel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Huge improvement over the first novel, The Old Gods Waken.


A fine folk supernatural thriller with a hint of Men in Black/Whisperer in Darkness in is about the seige of a mountain cabin.

[Christian Ovsenik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shonokins and gardinels

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun, folksy, pulpy tale of Silver John and his supernatural exploits. Love this series.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I prefer the Silver John short stories, coming in second to such excellent work is still high praise. After Dark is an excellent yarn, tightly written and plotted, but incredibly evocative.

[James O. Clough · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

If you like Manley Wade Wellman it’s a must read . Great novel about Silver John his traveling balladeer .

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting "quick read" supernatural horror/fantasy story. The protaganist is Silver John or John the Balladeer a homespun type hero, a veteran of WWII, a folk guitarist (with a silver strung acoustic guitar), and singer who travels the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina fighting supernatural evil.
Don't want to give this away but I never heard of Shonokins before. According to Wellman they lived before "us humans" in this land and are biding their time and waiting for the chance to take the land back. Their time is "after dark". This tale and I assume all of the Silver John tales are told with homespun North Carolina vernacular and move along very quickly. John is not a sorceror or wizard just knows enough to stop witchcraft and sorcery.
I'm not sure if Wellman created Shonokins or whether they are a real legend in Appalachia. Either way it's a good read.

[John Bruni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is possibly the finest John the Balladeer story. The only thing that would have made it perfect is if he met up with John Thunstone. As it is, John faces off against the Shonokins and it is just as awesome as it sounds. I'm so glad I still have more stories of John to read, and, of course, the novels. The cover is a bit cheesy, but the story is impeccable, once you get used to the way John talks. (But of course, any Wellman fan would know that already.)

[GD · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this more than I did. I had heard about the Silver John stories for years and the worshipful words that Manly Wade Wellman is spoken about with made me really excited to finally get one of his books, but it was a little bit of a let down. I love the idea of a wandering minstrel battling occult forces in the Appalachians, but it was just a little too cheesy. This was written later in Wellman's career, and I'd still be interested in reading some of the eariler stuff.