Title: In the House in the Dark of the Woods
Author: Laird Hunt
First published October 16, 2018
218 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780316411059 (ISBN10: 0316411051)
Rating: 3.33
Overview
In the House in the Dark of the Woods is a haunting tale of a woman who ventures into the woods, only to find that she may never return. Lost and unsure of her surroundings, she encounters a mysterious woman who may hold the key to her fate.
As she journeys through the dark and treacherous forest, she is forced to confront her deepest fears and the demons that have haunted her since childhood. With a lyrical prose style, this psychological horror story will keep you on edge until the very end.
It is a story of betrayal, revenge, and redemption, and will leave you questioning your own sanity. This eerie and disturbing novel is a must-read for fans of American mythology and psychological thrillers.
About the Author
Meet Laird Hunt, an American academic, writer, and translator. He had a diverse upbringing, spending time in Singapore, San Francisco, The Hague, and London before settling down in rural Indiana on his grandmother’s farm.
He attended Clinton Central High School and later graduated with a B.A. from Indiana University. He also holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics at Naropa University, and even studied French literature at the Sorbonne.
During his days writing his first novel, he worked in the press office at the United Nations. Today, he is a professor in the Creative Writing program at the University of Denver, where he shares his expertise with aspiring writers.
Laird currently lives in Boulder, Colorado with his wife, a poet named Eleni Sikelianos.
Editoral Review
Laird Hunt’s latest novel, In the House in the Dark of the Woods, is a haunting work of horror that will leave readers feeling unmoored from reality. Known for his experimental style and penchant for historical settings, Hunt blends elements of American folktales with a psychological thriller to create a truly unique piece of literature.
Set in colonial New England, the novel follows the journey of a young Puritan woman named Goody, who becomes lost in the woods while picking berries. She eventually stumbles upon a strange cabin occupied by three women, who offer her shelter and protection from the dangers lurking in the forest.
But as the days go by, Goody realizes that the women are not what they seem, and the cabin holds dark secrets that threaten to consume her. Hunt’s writing is lyrical yet unsettling, as he explores themes of female oppression, human instinct, and the blurring of reality and fantasy.
The novel interweaves historical accuracy with elements of magical realism, creating an atmosphere of dread and confusion that keeps readers on edge until the final pages. Hunt also manages to infuse his characters with depth and nuance, allowing readers to empathize with their struggles and desires.
However, In the House in the Dark of the Woods is not without its flaws. The pacing is slow at times, and the novel can be difficult to follow due to its nonlinear structure.
Some readers may also find the ending unsatisfying, as Hunt chooses to leave certain elements unresolved. Despite these drawbacks, the novel is still a triumph of contemporary horror literature.
Its ability to blend multiple genres and invoke a sense of unease is a testament to Hunt’s masterful writing skills. Fans of Edgar Allan Poe and Shirley Jackson will find much to enjoy in this dark and twisted tale.
Overall, In the House in the Dark of the Woods is a must-read for anyone interested in horror or literary fiction. It is a haunting and evocative work that will leave readers pondering its themes long after the final page.
I give it a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5, as it is a beautifully written novel that pushes the boundaries of its genre.
