mark monday's Reviews > The Loney

supernatural horror without the supernatural horror. unless you consider fanatical, hypocritical so-called devotion to an organized religion like Christianity whose tenets often aren't actually understood let alone followed by many of its practitioners... to be supernatural horror. okay, this is supernatural horror! and I think I've used the phrase "supernatural horror" enough, right?

wrong! and I was also wrong saying that the supernatural horror here is only based around organized religion, when there is definitely some pagan or satanic horror happening, involving wishes for healing being granted and an infant being tortured. but it is important to note that these horrors are only a small and subtle part of the book. they are not front and center, not blatant. readers looking for an evening of supernatural horror will perhaps be better off reading the Bible, which includes far more examples of such things.

but for those readers who are looking for superbly rendered and very dreary atmosphere, a contemplation of the power and the challenges of faith, lovely and very realistic characterization of a non-believing boy who is faking it until he gets free of his hysterical mum (not to mention his sadistic pastor, but fortunately that guy is dead within the opening pages) and of that boy's very endearing, developmentally disabled older brother, and a narrative that is all about creating a feeling of oppression, dread, and melancholy... this is your book! "enjoy" it!

forgive the scare quotes, there is a lot to enjoy, and to consider. besides what I mentioned above, I particularly appreciated the serious exploration of what faith can actually look like. I guess that's a nice way of saying that the book shows that both Christianity and certain other religions involve rituals like blood sacrifice (not to mention the consumption of flesh), and the miracles of God can look a lot like the gifts bestowed by certain other supernatural figures. interesting stuff.

synopsis: a lad has to deal with fanatical assholes. his brother falls in love. supernatural horror happens.