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Boys in the Valley
THE TERRIFYING AND CHILLING FOLK HORROR MASTERPIECE
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Boys in the Valley
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Fans of classic horror and folk tales will be captivated by this atmospheric novel. Readers who appreciate stories of supernatural dread in isolated, historical settings, and those who enjoy authors like Stephen King, Nick Cutter, and Victor LaValle, will find much to admire here.
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.
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Description
'THE MOST FRIGHTENING NOVEL OF THE YEAR' Esquire
'OLD-SCHOOL HORROR' Stephen King
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.
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.
Praise for Boys in the Valley:
'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 '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' EsquireBook Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Esteemed voices praise Fracassi's work for its exquisite terror and masterful suspense. Victor LaValle says Fracassi "makes terror read so damn beautifully," while The New York Times highlights his skill in building slow, sustained horror. Stephen Graham Jones calls the terror "exquisite," and Andy Davidson describes the novel as "gut-wrenching, heart breaking, and terrifying." Esteemed publications note its riveting survival tale and intense, claustrophobic horror.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780356520551
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 13 July 2023
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Orbit
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 26.0mm
Width: 126.0mm
Height: 196.0mm
Weight: 246g
Pages: 352
About the Author
Philip Fracassi is the author of the award-winning story collection, Behold the Void, which won "Best Collection of the Year" from This Is Horror and Strange Aeons Magazine.
His newest collection, Beneath a Pale Sky, was published in 2021 by Lethe Press. It received a starred review from Library Journal, was named "Best Collection of the Year" by Rue Morgue Magazine, and was nominated for a Bram Stoker award. His upcoming novels include A Child Alone with Strangers (September 2022, Talos Press), Gothic (February 2023, Cemetery Dance), and Boys in the Valley, (Summer 2023, Tor Nightfire). Philip's books have been translated into multiple languages and his stories have been published in numerous magazines and anthologies, including Best Horror of the Year, Nightmare Magazine, Black Static, Dark Discoveries, and Cemetery Dance. The New York Times calls his work "terrifically scary." As a screenwriter, his feature films have been distributed by Disney Entertainment and Lifetime Television. He currently has several stories under option for film/tv adaption. Philip lives in Los Angeles and is represented by Elizabeth Copps at Copps Literary Services. For more information, visit his website at www.pfracassi.com. He also has active profiles on Facebook, Instagram (pfracassi) and Twitter (@philipfracassi).Also by Philip Fracassi
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