Title: The Keep
Author: F. Paul Wilson
First published January 1, 1981
403 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780765357052 (ISBN10: 0765357054)
Rating: 4
Overview
A message is received from a remote castle in the mountains, and it says, “Something is killing my men.” The Nazi soldiers sent to solve the problem find a powerful and terrifying enemy that is invisible and silent. The creature chooses one victim per night, leaving behind bloodless and mutilated corpses to scare its future prey.
The Nazis bring in an expert on folklore, who happens to be Jewish, to shed some light on the mysterious happenings. Meanwhile, a man who has just woken up from a nightmare is on his way to the castle.
The ultimate evil created by man is pitted against the unthinkable and unstoppable terror that humanity has unleashed. The battle has begun.
About the Author
Meet Francis Paul Wilson, a talented author hailing from Jersey City, New Jersey. Wilson’s written works primarily consist of novels and short stories in the science fiction and horror genres.
He made his debut in 1976 with the publication of his novel, Healer. In addition to his writing, Wilson practices as a family physician part-time.
His writing career began in 1970 with the sale of his first science fiction story to Analog. Wilson’s work in the horror genre began in 1981 with his international bestseller, The Keep.
Throughout the rest of the decade, he continued to define the genre. In the 1990s, Wilson became known for his ability to genre-hop, transitioning from science fiction to horror to medical thrillers.
He even branched out into interactive scripting for multimedia companies, such as Disney Interactive. Along with Matthew J.
Costello, Wilson created and scripted FTL Newsfeed, which aired daily on the Sci-Fi Channel from 1992-1996.
Editoral Review
The Keep by F. Paul Wilson is a suspenseful horror novel first published in 1981.
The story takes place in an ancient castle located in the Carpathian Mountains, Romania, where two cousins are tasked with renovating the landmark. The two men clean up the castle’s interior and its spiral keep, but as they proceed, eerie occurrences begin to unfold.
The keep’s walls begin to speak, revealing an ominous presence within it, and prisoners start to emerge from its depths. What follows is a tangled web of supernatural events, ancient artifacts, and long-forgotten conspiracies, culminating in an epic conflict between good and evil.
F. Paul Wilson is a well-known author who has created numerous horror and thriller novels, including the popular Repairman Jack series.
The Keep is a unique departure from his usual works, blending elements of horror, fantasy, and historical fiction. Wilson’s writing style is descriptive and imaginative, painting vivid pictures of the castle’s haunting atmosphere.
The novel’s two main characters, Glaeken Trismegestus and Klaus Woermann, are well-crafted and complex. Glaeken, the immortal and enigmatic hero, is tasked with defeating the formidable being in the keep, while Klaus, a Nazi soldier turned castle renovator, is riddled with guilt from his prior actions.
The connection between the two develops in surprising and satisfying ways. The setting is perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the book.
The ancient castle is meticulously detailed, with Wilson incorporating the real history and architecture of the Carpathian Mountains into the story. The mystical elements are expertly woven into the setting, giving the castle a real sense of history and power.
The Keep’s primary flaw lies in its pace. The novel has a slow start, and the action doesn’t truly begin until later in the narrative.
The flashbacks to Klaus’s past may feel like unnecessary filler for readers who are eager for the present-day conflict. Overall, The Keep is a masterful work that expertly weaves together elements of horror, fantasy, and historical fiction.
The writing is top-notch, the characters well-crafted, and the setting expertly realized. While the pace may be sluggish at times, the payoff is well worth it.
Fans of horror and fantasy will appreciate Wilson’s unique blend of genres. I rate the book as four out of five.
