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A review by b00kh0arder
The Apparition Phase: Shortlisted for the 2021 McKitterick Prize by Will Maclean
5.0
Twins Tim and Abi Smith have always been a bit odd: precociously intelligent and obsessed with esoteric subjects such as folklore, ghosts and the macabre, in an effort to try and make their humdrum, 70s suburbia existence as exciting as possible. One day, they decide to fake a ghost photograph, to see if they can get someone to believe in it. Although successful, they then have to come to terms with the fact that their prank may have actually unleashed something after all.
Will Maclean is already an award-winning screenwriter, and this, his debut novel, shows that he's a great novelist too. Beautifully written, 'The Apparition Phase' reads like a forgotten 70s classic, or like a supernatural drama of the period, along the lines of 'The Stone Tape' (which gets a mention) or 'Children of the Stones' (I can easily see it being adapted for the screen in that style). Of course, having not been around in the 70s myself, there may be some little inaccuracies I didn't pick up on, but it definitely feels like it got the essence spot on.) The story looks at the nature of haunting, and the coincidences that might be a sign of something real or a trick of the mind, and whether there's really a difference between the two. For me, the cover quote from actress Alice Lowe ('Garth Mahrengi's Dark Place', 'Prevenge etc) sums it up best & most succinctly: "a carapace of cosy nostalgia wrapped round a solid thread of dread." Genuinely eerie & unsettling, and lingers on in your thoughts even after you've put it down. Highly recommended if you love a good ghost story (especially in time for Christmas).
(Also bonus points for references to things like 'Ace of Wands', 'Doctor Who' & Harry Price :D)
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for review.
Will Maclean is already an award-winning screenwriter, and this, his debut novel, shows that he's a great novelist too. Beautifully written, 'The Apparition Phase' reads like a forgotten 70s classic, or like a supernatural drama of the period, along the lines of 'The Stone Tape' (which gets a mention) or 'Children of the Stones' (I can easily see it being adapted for the screen in that style). Of course, having not been around in the 70s myself, there may be some little inaccuracies I didn't pick up on, but it definitely feels like it got the essence spot on.) The story looks at the nature of haunting, and the coincidences that might be a sign of something real or a trick of the mind, and whether there's really a difference between the two. For me, the cover quote from actress Alice Lowe ('Garth Mahrengi's Dark Place', 'Prevenge etc) sums it up best & most succinctly: "a carapace of cosy nostalgia wrapped round a solid thread of dread." Genuinely eerie & unsettling, and lingers on in your thoughts even after you've put it down. Highly recommended if you love a good ghost story (especially in time for Christmas).
(Also bonus points for references to things like 'Ace of Wands', 'Doctor Who' & Harry Price :D)
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for review.