| Product: |
Shrine - James Herbert |
| Date: |
15/12/03 (124 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: An easy introduction to the author and genre, An absorbing plot
Disadvantages: **
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It was a long time ago that I tired of Stephen King and discovered James Herbert the British horror/fantasy writer. I read The Fog, Rats and The Lair, all written in the '70's and which, until followed by The Survivor, made me think that he didn't like people very much. I was wrong and, as he spread his wings and diversified, he was to sell 40 million copies of his books worldwide. James Herbert has often been described as Britain's favourite horror writer and I would not argue with that. I have chosen as an introduction to Herbert a book which was written in 1983, Shrine. When I took it off my shelf to skim through for this review I once more found myself deep within it, which did rather put back my dooyoo offering for Mauri and Calypte.
Late one night Brighton Evening Courier reporter, Gerry Fenn, almost runs down eleven year old Alice Pagett. Catching up with her on foot he finds her kneeling entranced in a field adjoining the graveyard of the parish church and takes her to the safety of the vicarage where he meets parish priest, Father Hagan. Alice has seen a vision of the Virgin Mary and
Gerry and the good father are about to become part of a series of events which will bring chaos, mystery, religious fervour and gothic horror to the quiet village.
When the devout Alice- formerly deaf and mute - is cured and others healed soon after, even the caution of the Catholic Church cannot prevent Banfield being considered a new Lourdes and the good, the desperate and the greedy join the media in the ensuing circus. Whilst Father Hagan is deeply affected by and fearful of the apparent miracles, his Bishop is wary and asks the enigmatic Monsignor Delgard to assist him in investigating Alice's new powers, while attempting to keep her isolated from an adoring public as hysteria mounts.
Meanwhile James Herbert introduces us to the good people of Banfield, exposing to the reader the ba
seness and corruption behind the respected and not so respected public faces. It was this habit which made me think from reading his first books that his attitude towards people tended towards the cynical. In fact the misdeeds of his less likeable characters give us additional threads within the story, further episodes to enhance then satisfy our curiosity and a reason to relate to the more worthy heroes and heroines whose fortunes we are following within his tale. It also provides a tempering of shock should they approach a sticky end.
Beside Alice's healing of the grateful sick and handicapped incidents of a more sinister nature follow, beginning with a disastrous accident which James Herbert gives to us in graphic and shocking detail. As Alice leaves her refuge and appears on the scene we are left to ponder whether she is a medium for rescue and succour or could she be an unwitting force for destruction? Do Alice's merciful gifts originate from sainthood or is there a hidden price to be paid?
Together Gerry and the Monsignor begin to doubt the divinity of Alice's healing gifts and while delving into the history of the church they discover medieval horror, depravity and appalling retribution. Could there be a link between dark antiquity and present day "miracles" and are the fortunate events for some and the horrors visited on others linked? Whatever the answer there is foreboding in the air and time is running out.
As Banfield prepares for a celebratory mass with the eyes of the world upon it the village worthies, seeing only commercial gain, seem unaware of oppression building whilst the religious desire of others makes them heedless of all but the forthcoming ritual and hoped-for further miracles. Meanwhile the suspense rises for our reporter, now deeply concerned although unable to guess what the outcome may be.
I will tell you no more except that James Herbert is a master of his gen
re and creat
es an atmosphere of cimmerian depth, yet somehow managing to keep this side of belief despite awesome happenings. We will not see devils or demons and the truly apocalyptic ending is not the oft-written slogging it out of good and evil. Rather we have the conclusion to a dark tale of deep psychic power and a need for awful revenge.
I offer Shrine as a good introduction to the genre and an author who gives the reader plenty of good plot to follow, the unwinding of a mystery and a good dollop of shock/horror. Beware though his ability to detail harrowing death.
"THIS OPINION IS PART OF THE BOOK CHALLENGE-AN INTRODUCTION TO....If you had to persuade someone how good an author can be which book of theirs would you recommend as a first time read? Alternatively if you had to encourage a friend to read a particular genre (Sci- fi, Fantasy, Crime fiction etc.) or style (eg poetry) that they had always avoided which book would you recommend.
If you decide to take part please include Book Challenge- AN INTRODUCTION TO...in your title and include this explanation paragraph either at the beginning or end on the text if you want more information contact the Book category guides Mauri or Calypte"
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