Ratings22
Average rating4.1
'The terror's exquisite. Fracassi's got his hand on the chisel going into your chest' Stephen Graham Jones, author of The Only Good Indians St. Vincent's Orphanage for Boys. Turn of the century, in a remote valley in Pennsylvania. Here, under the watchful eyes of several priests, thirty boys work, learn, and worship. Peter Barlow, orphaned as a child by a gruesome murder, has made a new life here. As he approaches adulthood, he has friends, a future. . . a family. Then, late one stormy night, a group of men arrive at their door, one of whom is badly wounded, occult symbols carved into his flesh. His death releases an ancient evil that spreads like sickness, infecting St. Vincent's and the children within. Soon, boys begin acting differently, forming groups. Taking sides. Others turn up dead. Now Peter and those dear to him must choose sides of their own, each of them knowing their lives - and perhaps their eternal souls - are at risk. The Exorcist meets Lord of the Flies, by way of Midnight Mass, Boys in the Valley is a chilling folk horror set in a remote orphanage in turn of the century Pennsylvania. Praise for Boys in the Valley: 'Fracassi makes terror read so damn beautifully' Victor LaValle, author of The Changeling 'An unrelenting and highly entertaining show of horrors' Thomas Olde Heuvelt, author of Hex 'A smart and deftly-written tale instilled with the kind of creeping, claustrophobic horror I enjoy' Nick Cutter, author of The Troop 'As poignant as it is chilling, with a fast-paced, unflinching ending' Alma Katsu, author of The Hunger 'The most unsettling novel I have read all year. Cold dread clings to every page' Ronald Malfi, author of Black Mouth 'Harrowing and claustrophobic' Christopher Golden, author of Road of Bones 'Fracassi. . . builds his horrific tales slowly and carefully...he's especially skilful at creating, and sustaining, suspense' The New York Times 'Gut-wrenching, heart breaking, and terrifying' Andy Davidson, author of The Boatman's Daughter 'Horror readers will be hooked' Publishers Weekly 'A riveting, and horrifying, tale of survival set against a punishing and vivid backdrop.' Victor LaValle 'Fracassi. . . brings a depth of understanding to his monsters, human and otherwise' Guardian 'Fracassi's storytelling is. . . horror with a big, broken heart' Esquire 'His range, prolific output, and fast-paced prose are all set to put him on the shelf next to names such as King, Straub, and Thomas Harris' Signal Horizon
Reviews with the most likes.
Other than the fact I don't believe in God, I absolutely love this book.
TWs: Death of a child, gore, mention of sexual assault/rape of a child
4.25 rounded down; this was well written and the very short chapters made it easily bingable! Ultimately the chaos was caused by a demonic spirit that possessed others which I felt was anticlimactic. Would've loved it much more if it was actually caused by the group's will to escape the Catholic orphanage to retaliate against the adults that were clearly abusing and mistreating them. Then the true natures of children with trauma might have delivered a more impactful delivery and message. Regardless, it was still a great read! Frustrated with that ending though lol
I do enjoy a good possession story. Religious horror is a fascinating niche, taking the scare stories of the faithful and exploring the horror within can create some powerful imagery.
Boys in the Valley takes an orphanage in a remote valley run by the church where the sheriff brings in someone who is apparently possessed just as snow comes in to isolate the whole place. The sense of trapped claustrophobia brings a wonderful pervading sense of dread to the story. Demonic possession, creepy kids, suspect priests - there is a lot of very fun tropes being played with here.
An excellent debut novel that has got me excited to find more of his work!