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woofer's review against another edition
4.0
Jasper Bark's Quiet Places is another book I stumbled upon while looking for a "Q" title for a reading challenge. Well, that's not entirely true. I'd seen it mentioned occasionally in the various Facebook groups I belong to, but it never crossed my mind until I saw it among the Amazon listings. I also needed a Cosmic Horror read for another challenge, so I figured it's a way to kill two birds with one stone.
Quiet Places is Sally's story. It tells of her life before before and after her move to Dunballan, and what befell her lover, David, once they were settled. To the outsider, Dunballan seems rather idyllic -- and isolated town tucked away deep in the woods that rarely, if ever, gets any visitors. So how did a young woman from London end up in such a secluded, out-of-the-way place? It seems it's her boyfriend's ancestral home. And when his uncle passes away and leaves the entire estate to him, it's his familial duty to take up residence. This is a big change for Sally, in more ways than one. Even though she and David have been together for a number of years, they have never cohabitated. And you get the impression she's a city girl at heart. So her life is about to enter a period of great upheaval, as she agrees to make the move with David.
Almost from the start, Sally realizes there's something not quite right about Dunballan. For one thing, David, who often experiences periods of emotional distance, becomes even more withdrawn. Then there's the way the townsfolk huddle together whenever Sally's around, whispering secrets Sally isn't privy to as they eye here with... Sympathy? Suspicion? She is, afterall, an outsider. Then there's the mysterious beast that seems to be stalking David. Not menacingly. Almost as if it's keeping an eye on him, making sure he stays where he belongs. In Dunballan. And finally there's the whisperings coming from the hedgerows. Whisper that seduce Sally, and promise that if she does what it asks, she'll get her David back.
Little by little, Sally uncovers the secrets of Dunballan, but will she learn everything she needs to know in time to save David?
With Quiet Places, Jasper Bark has created a riveting tale that keeps you on the edge of your seat, reading late into the night. But it's not because you care about the characters (personally, I didn't find any of the characters particularly likable), but because you, as the reader, want to know the town's secrets. If you've read enough folk horror, what happens between the covers of the book probably doesn't come as much of a surprise, but if you're relatively new to the sub-genre, then you're in for a bit of a treat. And if you're good at putting the pieces together, you'll be able to figure out what's going on within the town before Sally does, and you'll be sitting there hoping she comes to the same conclusions you've already arrived at.
All in all, I enjoyed Quiet Places, and I would recommend it, even though I do have one MAJOR gripe -- and that's that there's no big surprise at the end. Bark gives away the ending at the very beginning, so no matter what happens during the course of the story, you already know the outcome. The only reason you keep reading is to see how and why this is the outcome. To create a sense of mystery and not spoil the ending, I think it would have been better had the author started with the news of David's inheritance; this way, we're with Sally from the very beginning, rather than starting it the way he does. You don't even get the impression that this is the hook to keep readers reading, in that it lacks the excitement you would be looking for with a hook.
Quiet Places is Sally's story. It tells of her life before before and after her move to Dunballan, and what befell her lover, David, once they were settled. To the outsider, Dunballan seems rather idyllic -- and isolated town tucked away deep in the woods that rarely, if ever, gets any visitors. So how did a young woman from London end up in such a secluded, out-of-the-way place? It seems it's her boyfriend's ancestral home. And when his uncle passes away and leaves the entire estate to him, it's his familial duty to take up residence. This is a big change for Sally, in more ways than one. Even though she and David have been together for a number of years, they have never cohabitated. And you get the impression she's a city girl at heart. So her life is about to enter a period of great upheaval, as she agrees to make the move with David.
Almost from the start, Sally realizes there's something not quite right about Dunballan. For one thing, David, who often experiences periods of emotional distance, becomes even more withdrawn. Then there's the way the townsfolk huddle together whenever Sally's around, whispering secrets Sally isn't privy to as they eye here with... Sympathy? Suspicion? She is, afterall, an outsider. Then there's the mysterious beast that seems to be stalking David. Not menacingly. Almost as if it's keeping an eye on him, making sure he stays where he belongs. In Dunballan. And finally there's the whisperings coming from the hedgerows. Whisper that seduce Sally, and promise that if she does what it asks, she'll get her David back.
Little by little, Sally uncovers the secrets of Dunballan, but will she learn everything she needs to know in time to save David?
With Quiet Places, Jasper Bark has created a riveting tale that keeps you on the edge of your seat, reading late into the night. But it's not because you care about the characters (personally, I didn't find any of the characters particularly likable), but because you, as the reader, want to know the town's secrets. If you've read enough folk horror, what happens between the covers of the book probably doesn't come as much of a surprise, but if you're relatively new to the sub-genre, then you're in for a bit of a treat. And if you're good at putting the pieces together, you'll be able to figure out what's going on within the town before Sally does, and you'll be sitting there hoping she comes to the same conclusions you've already arrived at.
All in all, I enjoyed Quiet Places, and I would recommend it, even though I do have one MAJOR gripe -- and that's that there's no big surprise at the end. Bark gives away the ending at the very beginning, so no matter what happens during the course of the story, you already know the outcome. The only reason you keep reading is to see how and why this is the outcome. To create a sense of mystery and not spoil the ending, I think it would have been better had the author started with the news of David's inheritance; this way, we're with Sally from the very beginning, rather than starting it the way he does. You don't even get the impression that this is the hook to keep readers reading, in that it lacks the excitement you would be looking for with a hook.
vondav's review
5.0
We first come across Sally caring for the folk of Dunballan, who are in a comatosed state. Following the past events, you get to find out what happened in the little town. David is the last of the McCavendish line, suffers from an ancient curse. Stalked by a beast and suffering dark depressive incidents. With only a creepy voice in the hedgerow to help Sally, can she break the curse and get her David back.
Whilst Sally is researching the beast, you get to learn more about David’s heritage and the aftermath of his ancestor’s dabbling with ancient folklore. Told through Matthew’s journals, the scenes with Matthew meeting had a mystical feel to it and you have a sense that something will go wrong.
Usually when I read any of Jasper Bark’s books, I am reading it with a grimace on my face, but this book was so different. This played more with my mind. The repetitive voice sounded sinister and for me Hettie was more horrific than the beast as it certainly knew how to play Sally. Whilst reading the scenes in the forest I had goosebumps and you could sense that it was leading up to a final showdown. The suspense carried throughout the story, but even I could not predict the outcome. You could feel the desperation in Sally and the need to help David and his dark moods.
I read a shortened version in the Green and Pleasant land anthology, and this new revised version had more depth. It felt more intense and as it is a novella a quick read. Another great story from Jasper Bark
Whilst Sally is researching the beast, you get to learn more about David’s heritage and the aftermath of his ancestor’s dabbling with ancient folklore. Told through Matthew’s journals, the scenes with Matthew meeting had a mystical feel to it and you have a sense that something will go wrong.
Usually when I read any of Jasper Bark’s books, I am reading it with a grimace on my face, but this book was so different. This played more with my mind. The repetitive voice sounded sinister and for me Hettie was more horrific than the beast as it certainly knew how to play Sally. Whilst reading the scenes in the forest I had goosebumps and you could sense that it was leading up to a final showdown. The suspense carried throughout the story, but even I could not predict the outcome. You could feel the desperation in Sally and the need to help David and his dark moods.
I read a shortened version in the Green and Pleasant land anthology, and this new revised version had more depth. It felt more intense and as it is a novella a quick read. Another great story from Jasper Bark
karlakayjenniges's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
"There were chapters on hauntings, witchcraft, and faery folk that were local to the area. The chapter that really caught Sally's attention contained a story about the Gaelic Teine Biorach, a series of Will o' the Wisp sightings, and finally her heart raced when she read this passage:
The locals call the eerie voice 'Hettie of the Hedgerow', and claim she is either an ancient spirit, or daemon from another realm. She is drawn to those in the depths of despair, and she often gives dire warnings which you would be foolish to ignore."
David McCavendish has inherited an estate in the Scottish Highlands, an estate in the town of Dunballan. One that has a long suffering family connection and must always have a McCavendish upon its property. The legacy is dark and there are secrets hidden deep within. The residents of the town are also in the clutches of the curse. An ancient history that comes from the beginning of time, an ancient beast lurking in the depths of the forest, and a voice that calls from the quiet places of the forest.
A blend of folklore, cosmic horror, ancient religious revelations, secret societies, ancient occult practices and beasts from another dimension.
This story is foreboding and unsettling. Such unrelenting sorrow and darkness pressing into the mind and making one feel as if they have just been sucked into a black hole. It is dark and there are no feelings of happiness. Only despair and tragedy. Accept one theme that shows the capability of humanity; sacrifice for another done with love and care.
Atmospheric detail and imagery, quite beguiling.
I was enchanted by the beautiful darkness and depth within.
silverdragon71's review against another edition
5.0
Cosmic horror at it's finest. This one stays with you.
jessie85's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
el_stevie's review against another edition
5.0
This novella was received free from Crystal Lake Publishing in return for an honest review.
Yet again, Crystal Lake Publishing has not failed to deliver. This is my first reading of a Jasper Bark book, and I must admit that being of a squeamish nature I had avoided his work having heard rumours of a certain tendency towards gore. I prefer my horror dark, atmospheric, sinister—possibly a touch more subtle than what I expected from this author. I was therefore pleasantly surprised that Quiet Places ticked all the right boxes for me. A story very much in the folk horror tradition, it tells of a young woman, Sally, lured to a remote part of Scotland by her husband to share his sudden inheritance. There, she finds herself not only isolated from the rest of the country but also from her husband as his behaviour and secrecy mark a growing distance between them. Eventually she discovers he, and subsequently she, have been summoned back to Scotland to mitigate the effects of an age-old curse hanging over his family and the people of the town of Dunballan, a curse which turns people into mindless and helpless beings. Sally’s researches into the curse encourage her to try and put an end to it, to free her husband from his suffering; unfortunately, her well-meaning attempts have disastrous consequences. From the disembodied voice of Hettie of the Hedgerows, the appearance of the supernatural Beast of Dunballan, and the almost Lovecraftian city and otherworldly plane of existence, this book has it all. I read it in a day, always a good sign.
Yet again, Crystal Lake Publishing has not failed to deliver. This is my first reading of a Jasper Bark book, and I must admit that being of a squeamish nature I had avoided his work having heard rumours of a certain tendency towards gore. I prefer my horror dark, atmospheric, sinister—possibly a touch more subtle than what I expected from this author. I was therefore pleasantly surprised that Quiet Places ticked all the right boxes for me. A story very much in the folk horror tradition, it tells of a young woman, Sally, lured to a remote part of Scotland by her husband to share his sudden inheritance. There, she finds herself not only isolated from the rest of the country but also from her husband as his behaviour and secrecy mark a growing distance between them. Eventually she discovers he, and subsequently she, have been summoned back to Scotland to mitigate the effects of an age-old curse hanging over his family and the people of the town of Dunballan, a curse which turns people into mindless and helpless beings. Sally’s researches into the curse encourage her to try and put an end to it, to free her husband from his suffering; unfortunately, her well-meaning attempts have disastrous consequences. From the disembodied voice of Hettie of the Hedgerows, the appearance of the supernatural Beast of Dunballan, and the almost Lovecraftian city and otherworldly plane of existence, this book has it all. I read it in a day, always a good sign.
martinroberts's review against another edition
4.0
A fantastic novella of cosmic and folk horror... I look forward to reading more by author Jasper Bark in the, hopefully, not too distant future.
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