An unexpected pleasure...

I haven't come across the author before, but thanks to my wonderful audible membership which allowed me to try out yet another book I might otherwise never given a second glance, I'm in no doubt that I have discovered an author - and a series - I'm going to stick with. I can't wait for the second Silver John adventure. If it's anywhere near as enjoyable as this one (and hopefully slightly longer) it'll be well worth 1 of my previous credits.

The Apallachian setting is fantastically well written, beautiful, mysterious and rich in detail, at times secretive and as dark and menacing as Stephen King's backwoods New England, the landscape is a perfect setting for the ancient magic and the feeling of old, very old evil sleeping under the land, just waiting for the right moment to wake ... put me in mind of some of Lovecraft's back-country atmospherics ( "The Colour Out of Space" definitely crept into my head at times - but in a good way, not in the least derivative)

The characters are likeable too, well drawn and believable, with authentically individual voices, and you just KNOW there's so much more to find out about them. This volume was too short and pacey for a whole lot of backstory or character revelations... which brings me to one tiny niggle... The ending felt rushed, and the climax in the final chapter was a touch 'blink and you'll miss it'.

My other tiny gripe was with the narration. I like Stefan Rudnicki and have never had a problem with either his tone, pace or accent/s. However, his narration on this occasion, at least throughout the first chapter, was so unbelievably slow and gravelly I found myself wishing he'd just hurry up and get on with it ... In fact, after half a chapter I turned the reading speed up to 1.20 and found it all much more listen-able !

That aside, I highly recommend anyone who enjoys folklore, nature, myth and legend - especially Green Man / Wiccan and bronze and iron age history, as well as anthropology, and English, American and native American myth and history to give this a good go. You won't be disappointed, and you might just discover the beginning of a long running - I hope - and addictive pleasure.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

really good!

it is written in an interesting dialect, but it's not hard to follow. the narrator uses quaint oldey-tymey words like betwixt instead of between, reckoning instead of knowing or figuring, and everybody is "a-doin'." anyway I was worried it'd be some hyper masculine crap, probably on account of it being written by "manly wellman" but I was so pleasantly surprised. the narrator also did an excellent job.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Increasingly gripping until an underwhelming end

I very much enjoyed this book/audiobook right through to the last 10 minutes or so where it felt like the author didn't know how to finish the story. Gutted honestly. I was so into it. Thoroughly enjoyed the book don't get me wrong but wow the end came so suddenly and in such an unexpected way. There was so much potential, I was on the edge of my seat listening...and suddenly it was over.

Well worth a listen despite my feelings about the ending.

The narration/reading itself is fantastic. The voice suits the tone of the book as well as given voices of the characters.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Fabulous

Great story. Brilliant narrator. Thanks to Audible for introducing me to another author I never heard of before. I will definitely seek out his other books, and also the narrator, who has a lovely voice and reads so well.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

A pretty good listen

Stefan Rudnicki you certainly brought this story to life and it was a good story. If I brought a hard copy of this book your voice would be in my head and I would read it just the same.
Manly Wade - Your characters were well rounded and your story fashioned well, the only thing I didn’t like is the the short almost an after thought ‘ let’s have some lovey/hearts and roses people’ - the story didn’t need you to add that, some things are better to imagine when the book is finished. This was a good weekend listen if you have a project to do at the same time.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Remarkable Folklore in the Appalachians

A new discovery for me, Manly Wade Wellman (what a name!) spins a rich yarn with an 'old time' America feel. Loaded with rural legends, strange original creatures and wise but simple living people in the midst of supernatural events.
This is the kind of tale that makes you want to explore wild places and believe the trees and rocks are haunted, and drips with character with the perfect rich voice of Stephan Rudnicki.
For those readers of Lovecraft - think Dunwich Horror, but far more earthy and more accessable to listen to. For lovers of legends, the supernatural and folklore this is an absolute gem!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

A strange little story

I enjoyed this but it took some getting into as the use of language is unconventional. It's a quest story that mixes First Nation mythology with British druidic tradition. It's clever but you need patience.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful