Ancient Images, by Ramsey Campbell
Book Review by Michael D. Griffiths
Have you read this book?
Ancient Images, by Ramsey Campbell is a horror novel set in England and a
very chilling book. I read a great deal of horror novels and I have to
say that as far as giving me a scare this book stepped up and got the
job done.
Some of you might remember that I have reviewed another of Campbell's novels on SFReader (The Seven Days of Cain)and it received a rather poor rating from me. However, being the kind of guy that is willing to give an author another chance, I picked up Ancient Images and gave it a read and I am so glad I did, because in this age of tried horror clichés and over the top gore, this novel was a welcome change of pace.
Another thing that many readers might enjoy about this novel, especially these days, is that Campbell makes things unnerving and ominous without almost no visible source of evil and very little supernatural occurrences until almost the very end. The frightening parts all almost completely based on moods and implied horror. Again, up until the very end of the novel, everything that happens to poor overwhelmed Sandy are real events that could happen to anyone.
Almost at once, the novel becomes a powerful driving force that leads the reader deeper and deeper into the mystery surrounded a supposedly destroyed film that starred Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi. This film was suppressed for reasons that are later discovered. However, when Sandy's good friend discovers a copy, he is killed before it can be shown. Sandy takes it upon herself to discover why this would have happened and if the film does in fact still have a copy that still exists.
Soon she finds herself involved in a mystery that might have been better left alone and as the hunt unravels, so does her life. A darkness is following her. Nothing she can ever see or put a name too, but it is there and she could soon be suffering the same fate as her friend, unless she can find the film before that happens.
To be honest this book was so innovative and creative in its deliverance of horror that I have very little to say in regards to potential downsides. Sandy does seem to be a little naive at times and exposes herself to potential dangers that her recent experiences should have allowed her to think twice about doing. Still, part of that is what makes these scenes so scary. I would have done much of the same things myself, but I would have at least brought a few knives and a bat with me.
If you enjoy horror, especially subtle, moody horror, than this book will be an excellent addition to your bookshelves. Campbell has impressed me and left me more than willing to grab up a few more of his books and I thank him for a job well done.
Some of you might remember that I have reviewed another of Campbell's novels on SFReader (The Seven Days of Cain)and it received a rather poor rating from me. However, being the kind of guy that is willing to give an author another chance, I picked up Ancient Images and gave it a read and I am so glad I did, because in this age of tried horror clichés and over the top gore, this novel was a welcome change of pace.
Another thing that many readers might enjoy about this novel, especially these days, is that Campbell makes things unnerving and ominous without almost no visible source of evil and very little supernatural occurrences until almost the very end. The frightening parts all almost completely based on moods and implied horror. Again, up until the very end of the novel, everything that happens to poor overwhelmed Sandy are real events that could happen to anyone.
Almost at once, the novel becomes a powerful driving force that leads the reader deeper and deeper into the mystery surrounded a supposedly destroyed film that starred Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi. This film was suppressed for reasons that are later discovered. However, when Sandy's good friend discovers a copy, he is killed before it can be shown. Sandy takes it upon herself to discover why this would have happened and if the film does in fact still have a copy that still exists.
Soon she finds herself involved in a mystery that might have been better left alone and as the hunt unravels, so does her life. A darkness is following her. Nothing she can ever see or put a name too, but it is there and she could soon be suffering the same fate as her friend, unless she can find the film before that happens.
To be honest this book was so innovative and creative in its deliverance of horror that I have very little to say in regards to potential downsides. Sandy does seem to be a little naive at times and exposes herself to potential dangers that her recent experiences should have allowed her to think twice about doing. Still, part of that is what makes these scenes so scary. I would have done much of the same things myself, but I would have at least brought a few knives and a bat with me.
If you enjoy horror, especially subtle, moody horror, than this book will be an excellent addition to your bookshelves. Campbell has impressed me and left me more than willing to grab up a few more of his books and I thank him for a job well done.
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