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A review by justinsdrown
The Elementals by Michael McDowell
5.0
The Elementals is my favorite new read of the year. A southern gothic horror novel that is a slow burn in the best way. And burn is the apt word. You can feel the heat coming off the pages. The story is set in Alabama during a blazing summer. The atmosphere is so thoroughly set that I had to remind myself I was in my cooled apartment.
The book is written by the scriptwriter of Beetlejuice and co-writer for A Nightmare Before Christmas. I consider The Elementals to be better than both. The main character of the novel feels like the blueprint of what would go on to be Lydia in Beetlejuice. The difference is that this book is told in a semi-realistic yet off kilter fashion. Because of that there is gravity when horror things start to happen in this horror novel.
I grew attached to all of the characters. Even the ones you're supposed to dislike. I think this is owed to the writing prowess of Mcdowell. Those that require a thriller pace should be warned. The book is two parts family drama. One part horror. This structure allows the horror aspect to hit so much harder if you can relax and enjoy the ride (though I can already imagine all the "got bored dnf" comments from the clinically impatient.)
This is one of maybe three books to ever give me the creeps. I can't overstate how uncommon that is. I found out after finishing that Mcdowell died at the tragically young age of 49. Selfishly, I imagine he had so many more books and scripts in him. I now plan on reading everything that he's written. It's increasingly harder to find slow build, subtle horror. I hope there's more of that in store for me while plundering his bibliography.
The book is written by the scriptwriter of Beetlejuice and co-writer for A Nightmare Before Christmas. I consider The Elementals to be better than both. The main character of the novel feels like the blueprint of what would go on to be Lydia in Beetlejuice. The difference is that this book is told in a semi-realistic yet off kilter fashion. Because of that there is gravity when horror things start to happen in this horror novel.
I grew attached to all of the characters. Even the ones you're supposed to dislike. I think this is owed to the writing prowess of Mcdowell. Those that require a thriller pace should be warned. The book is two parts family drama. One part horror. This structure allows the horror aspect to hit so much harder if you can relax and enjoy the ride (though I can already imagine all the "got bored dnf" comments from the clinically impatient.)
This is one of maybe three books to ever give me the creeps. I can't overstate how uncommon that is. I found out after finishing that Mcdowell died at the tragically young age of 49. Selfishly, I imagine he had so many more books and scripts in him. I now plan on reading everything that he's written. It's increasingly harder to find slow build, subtle horror. I hope there's more of that in store for me while plundering his bibliography.