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Colton

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The Fisherman

by John Langan

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Colton said: " The Fisherman by John Langan is a terrifying horror novel that runs in the same ice cold veins of Pet Sematary and The Monkey's Paw.

This literary horror novel offers multi-layered storytelling with flesh and bone characters, supernatural horror, folk The Fisherman by John Langan is a terrifying horror novel that runs in the same ice cold veins of Pet Sematary and The Monkey's Paw.

This literary horror novel offers multi-layered storytelling with flesh and bone characters, supernatural horror, folklore, and an epic-scope that truly traverses the currents of grief in a very human way. The format of the story is intriguing, showing how the past influences the present, as well as our futures, and the atmosphere Lanagan sets up is ripe with dread. While the supernatural elements of the story are chilling and engaging, it's the theme of grief and losing those you can't live without that keeps this reader up at night. The story bounces from tragic to bizarre to haunting in a way that feels balanced and, at most times, brisk in pace.

My problems with the novel come with the literary themes. While part two is layered with multiple mythologies, it feels most entwined and accessible through its many biblical references. This gives the story an ancient, primordial undertone the expands the scope in ways that most horror novels can't succeed in. However, there is a moment in part three that feels unnecessary and more like an intellectual flex on Langan's part than a needed component of the story. This may be more of a personal gripe, since references to the Odyssey and Greek mythology feel like the go to for any author showing off is comprehension of literature and ancient mythologies. I also feel that the pace between part one and two is interrupted and takes me out of the novel for a few chapters, seeing as my connection to Abe and Dan are so strong I'm not quite ready to relinquish my hold on their story. However, this is also a necessary disruption, and a worthy one when finishing part two.

All in all, The Fisherman shook me in many ways, from some eerie imagery to a horrifying conclusion that closes the novels themes in ways I couldn't have expected. While this novel is certainly lofty in aspirations and sometimes over reaching for literary merit, it lands almost every intended target, leaving a feeling of tragedy and terror in its wake. ...more "

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(page 93 of 266)
— 16 hours, 38 min ago

Mar 09, 2021 12:00PM · see review