The quintessential concept of a „bad place“ is a common theme in horror fiction, exemplified by authors like Stephen King and Robert Aickman. In Stephen King’s work, these bad places, such as Castle Rock or the Overlook Hotel, often serve as a container for ancient evil or injustice to resurface. On the other hand, Robert Aickman’s portrayal of the bad place is more subtle, with its effects felt rather than seen, creating an eerie atmosphere that is hard to shake off.
Barrowbeck, a fictional village on the Lancashire-Yorkshire border in Andrew Michael Hurley’s new collection of stories, embodies this idea of a bad place. From its humble beginnings as a settlement of Celtic farmers seeking shelter to its evolution through centuries of conflicts between scientific knowledge and supernatural forces, the village of Barrowbeck is a place where the unknown and the known collide.
Hurley’s skillful use of modern themes like social isolation and the climate crisis adds depth to the rural eeriness that permeates Barrowbeck. The village, with its decaying buildings, ancient trees, and sense of decline, becomes a character in itself, haunting and captivating in its desolation.
As the stories in Barrowbeck unfold, Hurley weaves together recurring characters and locations, creating a shared mythos that immerses the reader in the village’s secrets. The shift from a radio series to a collection of stories allows for a deeper exploration of darkness and horror, drawing the reader into a narrative arc that rewards careful attention.
Barrowbeck stands out as a compelling exploration of a landscape through time, joining the ranks of fragmented novels that delve into the essence of a place. Hurley’s evocative language and keen observation of the natural world make Barrowbeck a hauntingly seductive place to explore, where darkness and mystery lurk around every corner. Und darin liegt das Problem, denn wenn es einen Fehler bei Barrowbeck gibt, dann liegt er in einer Überrelianz auf Tropen, die wir bereits erkennen: die winzigen Weidenmänner, der „Meister“, der das illegale Obst pflücken mit einem Aufenthalt in der Hölle belohnt, das seltsame B&B, das von sehr seltsamen Zwillingsschwestern betrieben wird. Folk Horror, geboren in das analoge, hitzehafte Jahrzehnt der 1970er Jahre, ist im Wesentlichen ein nostalgisches Genre: Wir fühlen uns in seinen Wäldern sicher, auch wenn wir es nicht sollten. Die Gefahren sind hier manchmal zu deutlich ausgeschildert, um eine echte Bedrohung darzustellen. Barrowbeck von Andrew Michael Hurley wird von John Murray veröffentlicht (16,99 £). Um den Guardian und den Observer zu unterstützen, kaufen Sie eine Ausgabe unter guardianbookshop.com. Liefergebühren können anfallen.