Paperbacks from Hell
Synopsis:
When Tom Rigby is commissioned to paint a young woman’s portrait at Woolvercombe House, the offer is too lucrative to refuse. But from the moment of his arrival at the secluded country mansion strange and inexplicable events begin to transpire. Soon he is drawn into an impenetrable maze of horror, and by the time he discovers the role he is intended to play in a diabolical design, it will already be too late. For the seeds of evil have been sown, and the time to reap their wicked harvest is nigh!
Edition:
Valancourt Books’ Paperbacks From Hell
My Thoughts:
On this particular release of The Reaping itself, my thoughts are easy:
- The typeset is aggravatingly small – even with my glasses, reading these pocket-sized books is tough. This might just be because I have bad vision (allegedly).
- The choice to use the Souvenir Press hardcover design was inspired. It’s absolutely gorgeous.
- The addition of Will Erickson’s introduction was a great idea. It lets the reader know right off the bat what kind of book they’re in for. It provides what in modern times is probably some much-needed context for Taylor’s storytelling style.
And since I’ve mentioned the choice of covers, I want to give you a quick look at why this was a choice. The Reaping came out in 1980, and has gone through a few covers. I really think this one was the right choice, but take a look. What do you think? Would you have gone with this one? Or maybe commissioned something new?
So, about the story itself, Tom is a weird guy. He’s kind of a dick. And sort of dense. But a lot of protagonists of the era, at least in horror novels were. I’m not sure why, except that perhaps it helps readers suspend a bit of disbelief, and even feel some satisfaction when things don’t end super well. He’s pretty misogynistic, which again, not particularly uncommon in characters of the time.
Ladies and gentlefolk, allow me to introduce your protagonist:
“By the time we reached her flat she was noticeably quieter and appeared listless and tired. I pretended not to notice. It had been so long now, and I wanted her so much.”
Diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick.
I guess that means when it’s time for the reaping, you’re not going to feel so bad. I know I didn’t. Reap away, I say!
I don’t want to risk giving away any important plot points here because this book is actually super fun. The big reveal is super silly, but also exactly what you wanted it to be. I mean, it’s fucking ludicrous.
But I really, really enjoyed it. I mean, there are nuns, webs upon webs of lies, a creepy, decrepit old woman, scenes of uncomfortable attempts at intimacy…you name it.
About the Author:
Bernard Taylor was born in Swindon, Wiltshire, and now lives in London. Following active service in Egypt in the Royal Air Force, he studied Fine Arts in Swindon, then at Chelsea School of Art and Birmingham University. On graduation he worked as a teacher, painter and book illustrator before going as a teacher to the United States. While there, he took up acting and writing and continued with both after his return to England. He has published ten novels under his own name, including The Godsend (1976), which was adapted for a major film, and Sweetheart, Sweetheart (1977), which Charles L. Grant has hailed as one of the finest ghost stories ever written. He has also written novels under the pseudonym Jess Foley, as well as several works of nonfiction. He has won awards for his true crime writing and also for his work as a playwright. It was during his year as resident playwright at the Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch that he wrote The Godsend. There Must Be Evil, his latest true crime study, is to be published in England in September.
*From Valancourt’s website*
Rating:
The Reaping is less in-your-face superscares and more a quiet, creeping sort of horror that you eventually discover was taking place just off page the whole damned time. I mean, Shakespeare it ain’t, but if you like pulpy 70s/80s horror, definitely give this one a shot.
The Reaping Paperbacks from Hell By Bernard Taylor Valancourt Books Published: June 4, 2019 Originally Published: 1980 ISBN: 9781948405348 Paperback, E-book, Audiobook 220 Pages Publisher's Website
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