I'm sure I'm not the only one who enjoys a good horror story, be it in a movie or indeed in a book. I'm not talking about gory or blood-curdling effects (in film), but about that extra something that kinda makes you want to check under your bed before you go to sleep that night. The sort of story that drags you inside and makes you feel certain that it's real and that if you're not careful, the monster might get you, too.
Might get you anyway.
And so, I was delighted to read 'The Prince of Mist' by Spanish author Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Now, Zafon and I are old friends, his Cemetery of Forgotten Books series is simply astonishing. Very probably the best writing I've read in my life. There's just so much beauty in his depiction of the world, such skill - he's a brilliant artist. Seriously, The Shadow of the Wind, along with all its sequels is binge-worthy writing, the sort you can read over and over and even though you know what's gonna happen, you still love every word of it. And anyway, it's just so well written you're probably going to find new things each time you go through it.
But I hadn't had the pleasure of reading his young adult series Niebla. Now, I don't really believe in this 'young adult' thing, nor does Zafon (he makes it clear in the introduction), because they're books that can be enjoyed at any age. I find people who look down on young adult literature really tiresome. Anyway, a couple days ago, I finished the first book, 'The Prince of Mist'.
And let me tell you, it's amazing. I don't think I've ever been as scared of a book in my life. Well, maybe not scared as such, but you know, you could feel the darkness creep up on you as you read and this feeling that the monsters are just lurking in the darkness. And I read a lot of horror, so it's not exactly easy to make me feel like that. Still, this book did that, and in such a masterful manner. As I said, the writing is perfect, the characters are not only strong, but beautifully conjured. And the ending is...well, sad, but very befitting.
It's a truly marvelous book, the sort that sucks you in and doesn't let you go until the last page. Seriously, the only thing I could find wrong with it was that it ended at some point. Good books shouldn't be allowed to end.
Anyway, right now I'm about a quarter through the second book, The Midnight Palace, and even though it so far has seemingly nothing to do with the characters in the first book, I'm already hooked. It's in the writing, man. There's just something in the way this man writes that is perfect for me.
Speaking of horror stories, I don't like the ones where the characters all get out of danger and defeat the monster and all come out unscathed. I don't want to give you spoilers, because that would be a waste. But take for example, Stephen King' It. It would really suck if all of them came out just fine from the last confrontation with Pennywise. Seriously, it would be disappointing as hell and I'm glad they don't all come out fine, because I really liked that book as well and I would've been mightily pissed if he saved them all.
Things aren't always okay. They can't be. And I really don't understand why some people try so hard to believe they can.
Anyway, maybe read it? Maybe not? I mean, it's a great book, really, and it would be your loss if you didn't, but hey, I can't put a gun to your head, can I?
Oh, on a side note also about horror stories, have you guys seen this trailer for Joker with Joaquin Phoenix? Doesn't it seem fucking incredible?