Title: Twilight
Author: William Gay
First published October 20, 2006
224 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781596920583 (ISBN10: 1596920580)
Rating: 3.95
Overview
In William Gay’s haunting novel, Twilight, undertaker Fenton Breece is hiding a macabre secret: he’s been manipulating the dead. When siblings Kenneth Tyler and Corrie discover their bootlegger father wasn’t buried in the casket they bought for him, they decide to take matters into their own hands.
Armed with incriminating photographs, Kenneth becomes obsessed with bringing Breece to justice, but finds himself running for his life when a convicted murderer is hired to destroy the evidence. As he navigates the eerie backwoods of Harrikin, encountering witches, eccentric squatters, and other dangers, Kenneth must confront the classic Southern themes of good and evil in a new, chilling way.
About the Author
William Elbert Gay wrote several notable works of fiction, including Provinces of Night, The Long Home, and Twilight, as well as a collection of short stories entitled I Hate to See That Evening Sun Go Down. He was recognized for his talents with numerous awards, including the 1999 William Peden Award and the 1999 James A.
Michener Memorial Prize. Additionally, he was a recipient of a 2002 Guggenheim Fellowship, which speaks to the high regard in which his work was held.
Editoral Review
Twilight is a novel by William Gay, first published on October 20, 2006. The book is set in rural Tennessee and follows the story of two brothers, Kenneth and Corrie Tyler, who are living in an old family house with their father, E.F. Tyler.
The novel is a Southern Gothic tale that explores themes of family, love, death, and redemption.
William Gay, who passed away in 2012, was an American author known for his Southern Gothic style of writing. Twilight was his second novel, following his debut with The Long Home in 1999.
The Southern Gothic genre is characterized by a dark, eerie feeling that is often set in the American South. The genre is known for its themes of decay, death, and the supernatural.
Gay’s writing style is a perfect fit for this genre, as he captures the essence of Southern Gothic with his vivid descriptions and haunting prose.
Twilight is a haunting and atmospheric novel that tells the story of the Tyler family, who are haunted by their past and struggling to come to terms with their present. The novel is set in the 1950s and is told through the eyes of Kenneth Tyler, a young man who is trying to find his place in the world.
The novel is divided into three parts, each one focusing on a different member of the Tyler family. The first part follows Kenneth as he struggles to come to terms with his father’s death and the secrets that his family has been keeping from him.
The second part follows Corrie, the older brother, as he tries to protect his family from the dangers that lurk in the woods around their house. The final part of the novel brings all the threads of the story together, as the Tyler family confronts the demons that have been haunting them for years.
Gay’s writing is masterful, and he creates a sense of dread and unease that permeates the story. The characters are well-developed and complex, and the setting is vividly described.
The novel’s pacing is slow and deliberate, but it never feels dull or plodding.
One of the strengths of the novel is Gay’s ability to create a sense of place. The setting of rural Tennessee is brought to life through his descriptions of the landscape, the weather, and the people who live there.
The novel is also significant in its exploration of themes of family, love, and redemption. Gay’s characters are flawed and damaged, but they are also capable of great love and sacrifice.
However, one of the weaknesses of the novel is its slow pace. The novel is deliberately paced, which may not be to everyone’s taste.
Some readers may also find the supernatural elements of the story to be too subtle or unclear.
In conclusion, Twilight is a haunting and atmospheric novel that is a must-read for fans of Southern Gothic fiction. Gay’s writing is masterful, and he creates a sense of dread and unease that permeates the story.
The novel’s exploration of themes of family, love, and redemption is significant and thought-provoking. While the slow pace may not be to everyone’s taste, the novel is a powerful and unforgettable work of fiction.
I would highly recommend Twilight to anyone who enjoys Southern Gothic fiction or is looking for a haunting and atmospheric read. My rating for the novel is 4.5/5.
