Who Would Like This Book:
If you're in the mood for folksy Scottish horror with a twist of heartfelt romance, this is your book! The Haar mixes body horror and dark humor with surprisingly touching moments, all set in a moody seaside village. The protagonist - an elderly, stubborn, and whip-smart woman - is a delight, making this a standout for readers who crave unique, older main characters. Fans of creature features, gory set-pieces, and bittersweet stories about love, grief, and resilience will find plenty to love here. Plus, it's short and easy to devour in a single sitting!
Who May Not Like This Book:
Not everyone will be charmed! The villains are over-the-top cartoonish, most side characters are thinly sketched, and the overall story might feel a bit simplistic if you’re seeking deeply nuanced storytelling. The gore might be too much for squeamish readers, while diehard extreme horror fans might actually wish for even more brutality. Some also found the ending rushed and wished for more complexity or depth.
About:
'The Haar' by David Sodergren is a horror novel set in a seaside Scottish town where an elderly lady refuses to leave her home despite a company's attempts to buy out the village. The story involves gore, surprising creatures, and a touch of humor, as the main character, Muriel, encounters supernatural beings and fights against the harassing corporation with the help of an otherworldly ally. The book is described as a quick read with a mix of horror, romance, and fantasy elements, creating a unique and entertaining experience for the readers.
The plot of 'The Haar' centers around the community under threat by a big corporation, leading to a clash between the residents who refuse to be bought out and the sinister forces at play. The characters, especially Muriel, are portrayed with wit and a rebellious spirit, adding depth to the narrative and showcasing themes of love, loss, and defiance against powerful entities. Despite some character inconsistencies and a rushed climax, the book offers a blend of heartwarming moments, gory horror, and unexpected twists that keep readers engaged till the end.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The Haar features graphic violence and body horror, which may be intense for some readers, alongside themes of grief and mortality.
Has Romance?
The romantic elements in The Haar are significant, focusing on a heartfelt and bittersweet relationship between the elderly protagonist and the creature, creating a unique blend of horror and romance.
From The Publisher:
"I don't fear death... but they do."
Muriel McAuley has lived in the Scottish fishing village of Witchaven all her life. She was born there, and she intends to die there.
But when an overseas property developer threatens to evict the residents from their homes and raze Witchaven to the ground in the name of progress, all seems lost… until the day a mysterious fog bank creeps inland.
THE HAAR
To some it brings redemption… to others, it brings only madness and death. What macabre secrets lie within…
THE HAAR
Romantic and deranged, THE HAAR is a gore-soaked folk horror fairy tale from David Sodergren, author of The Forgotten Island and Maggie's Grave.
Ratings (33)
Incredible (3) | |
Loved It (17) | |
Liked It (6) | |
It Was OK (4) | |
Did Not Like (2) | |
Hated It (1) |
Reader Stats (67):
Read It (34) | |
Currently Reading (2) | |
Want To Read (25) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (5) |
2 comment(s)
It was so boring . I understand it wanted shock value basic body horror with interesting notion of the elderly and the town, but it was still so boring. I did not care.
Been wanting to read it for a while a d I had hyped it up a lot in my head based on reviews. It didn't disappoint one bit more the opposite. It was sad, emotional, intense, gory in parts and had romance in it which I didn't expect. Think this is going to be in my favorites of the year.
What can you read after
The Haar?
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