Synopses & Reviews
A Special Place, Peter Straub's first published novella, will come to stand as one of the author's most deeply unsettling works of fiction. A rumination on the nature of evil, the story centers on a boy, Keith Hayward, who is drawn by his nature to an irresistible fascination with death and the taking of life. His father's brother, the good-looking, suave Uncle Till — the infamous ladykiller, who has led a shadowy career as a local celebrity — recognizes his nephew's innermost nature and gleefully tutors him in art of doing ill without getting caught.
Even a cold-blooded sociopath must learn some lessons in survival, in seems, and Uncle Till is only happy to provide a tutorial, in the latest imaginative and disturbing work from one of America's most celebrated horror writers.
Review
"While there are no supernatural elements here, Straub effectively sustains a creepy atmosphere. The conclusion may be expected but is nevertheless unsettling....This is high-quality disturbing horror. Recommended not only for horror fans but for those who appreciate outstanding writing." Library Journal (starred review)
Review
"Creepy to the core, this novella shines a terrible light on the backstory of Straub's acclaimed A Dark Matter (2010). Young Keith Hayward idolizes his charming, charismatic Uncle Till. When Keith's mother asks Till to talk to Keith after the boy is found dismembering a dead cat, Till recognizes a kindred spirit and begins to instruct Keith on smart, secret ways to pursue his evil endeavors. As the years pass, Keith grows older and bolder in his sadistic pleasures, and when Till comes back into town, Keith finds the perfect way to impress him. Vivid but never overly graphic or grotesque, Straub's words paint horrific pictures of two depraved men. The violence is minimal, but understood in the most subtle of ways. This beautifully horrifying, delightfully disturbing tale of a family tree of evil will stay with the reader long after the last page is done." Publishers Weekly (Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information)
Review
"A lowering aura like that of the high-school scenes involving the hero’s son in David Cronenberg’s film A History of Violence broods over this immaculately written portrait of a maculate-to-the-max character in formation." Booklist
Synopsis
From the bestselling author of Ghost Story, Shadowland, and A Dark Matter, a novella-length rumination on the nature of evil.
Synopsis
Starred Review. This is high quality disturbing horror. Recommended not only for horror fans but for those who appreciate outstanding writing.Frightening. Straub can write superb horror.Starred Review. Vivid but never overly graphic or grotesque, Straub's words paint horrific pictures of two depraved men. The violence is minimal, but understood in the most subtle of ways. This beautifully horrifying, delightfully disturbing tale of a family tree of evil will stay with the reader long after the last page is done.Straub is a master at creating an otherworldly type of fiction. It has earned him a fierce following.
Synopsis
From the bestselling author of Ghost Story, Shadowland, and The Talisman, a novella-length rumination on the nature of evil.
Synopsis
A Special Place, Peter Straub's first published novella, will come to stand as one of the author's most deeply unsettling works of fiction. A rumination on the nature of evil, the story centers on a boy, Keith Hayward, who is drawn by his nature to an irresistible fascination with death and the taking of life. His father's brother, the good-looking, suave Uncle Till--the infamous ladykiller, who has led a shadowy career as a local celebrity--recognizes his nephew's innermost nature and gleefully tutors him in art of doing ill without getting caught.
Even a cold-blooded sociopath must learn some lessons in survival, in seems, and Uncle Till is only happy to provide a tutorial, in the latest imaginative and disturbing work from one of America's most celebrated horror writers.
About the Author
Peter Straub is the New York Times-bestselling author of more than a dozen novels, including Ghost Story and The Talisman, co-written with Stephen King. Two of his most recent novels, Lost Boy Lost Girl and In the Night Room, are winners of the Bram Stoker Award. He lives in New York City.