Werewolves discussion

This classic werewolf book won our last poll and thus becomes Spring 2021's group read. We have read one other werewolf classic written about the time this one was: The Wolfen by Whitley Strieber. I really liked that novel. So I have high hopes for this one.

If you get the paperback version, it's a pulse pounding, door stopping 603 page monster. Or you can pick up the Kindle version for just $1.99. The first day of Spring this year in the northern hemisphere (and really, does any other one really count) is March 20. So let's all start then or soon after!

Great! I already have the book. I started it but have gotten around to finishing it. Now I have a reason to finish it.

Zain

The ebook version has 480 pages.

Zain

Zain wrote: "Great! I already have the book. I started it but have gotten around to finishing it."

Yeah, started reading it some time back, came to the part where Hitler makes his appearance and found I wasn't really in the mood for his humour.

Now, giving it a second read I'm surprised at how well I actually like McCammon's writing. I enjoy the way he writes his female characters and his approach to werewolf lore.

When I went in just now to purchase the book for its sticker price of $1.99, I found out the Kindle version is actually $7.99. It's still better than buying the used paperback version, which starts at over $15 (when tax and shipping are included) for copies in "acceptable" condition.

I like good deals and the idea of paying $8 for something I really don't hold in my hands gives me a mild case of gerd. Oh, speaking of which, thanks for letting us know you're enjoying this book. I see you gave it three stars. Did it end less strongly than it began?

Okay, I finished The Wolf Hour a few days ago. Not your typical werewolf mythos, but still enjoyable. I gave the book four stars.

Zain

Dan wrote: "When I went in just now to purchase the book for its sticker price of $1.99, I found out the Kindle version is actually $7.99. It's still better than buying the used paperback version, which starts..."

I got my copy in good condition from Amazon marketplace some time back at a pretty resonable price, but last I checked prices went through the roof.
Problem is there seems to be a horror fiction revival going on with lots of new collectors entering the scene.


I enjoyed The Wolf Hour a lot actually, I like how McCammon divided it between the more towards horror leaning backstory and the all-out, very Hollywood style, war adventure.

But then the latter part is also what kept me from giving it a full four stars
(view spoiler)[there are brief mentions of sexualized violence against a minor which rubbed me the wrong way and I found that the inclusion of the concentration camp didn't quite fit with the otherwise more campy feel of the mainstory, though I likely wouldn't have minded those aspects as much in my younger days. (hide spoiler)]

You know, I enjoyed the flashbacks most. I liked reading about Michael’s life as a wolf. Of course the author’s objective was to give us a better understanding of him as a man.

I wonder, at the end, if he tells his secret.

Zain

You have me wondering now too. Thank you Zain and Gerd for sharing further your thoughts on the book. I look forward to beginning it in a week or two.

Hello, how are you liking the book so far. And when are we going to start our nominations for summer? 😎

Zain

The book starts out well enough. I like the historical setting in WW II North Africa and Michael Gallatin is an impressive character. It's so long though....

I'm not sure what you mean about "no werewolf." Gallatin pretty clearly is one. Not all authors come right out and use the term. In fact, I think maybe only half do. Authors with literary pretenses, I mean aspirations, Clive Barker for example, are particularly unlikely to ever use the four letters 'WERE' anywhere in their book except as a past tense for the verb 'to be'. Silver bullets aren't required, and not always full moons either. Go figure! That doesn't mean we're dealing with anything but a werewolf.

Poll for summer's read starts June 1. Nominations close at the final minute of May.

Wolf's Hour was my first Robert McCammon book, and it has stuck with me for years. Not only is he a secret agent, he's a Russian secret agent, and a Russian secret agent fighting Nazis, AND HES A WEREWOLF. In many ways it's the inspiration for Johnny Lycan. Just reread it lately and enjoyed it again.

I am really enjoying this book. It's very well written. We started out in the WW II years and have now flashed back to the protagonist's time in Russia as a child the year after the Revolution to 1918. It's a really dramatic scene, what happened to Gallatinov's family.

Surprisingly, I enjoyed the book a lot. More than l thought I would. It’s not the typical, stereotypical werewolf mythos, so I took a while to read it.

But I’m glad it was chosen for the group read. 😎


Zain