There is no denying that there is comfort in predictability. With most books—regardless of genre or tone—readers have a set expectation, leaving room for the author’s originality to flourish without becoming a seismic disruption. But occasionally a novel comes along that completely breaks the mold—much like an evolutionary jump—shocking the reader without resulting in total alienation. It’s a delicate balance that Jonathan Edward Durham’s Winterset Hollow performs like a violin virtuoso, leaving readers with one of the most unforgettable novels of this—or any—year.
In Jonathan Edward Durham’s fictional world, “Winterset Hollow” by E. B. Addington is a beloved children’s story—told in sophisticated rhyming verse—that amasses a legion of dedicated fans, young and old. That story of animals gathering for the annual Barley Day celebration is included in its entirety at the end of this latest edition of Durham’s novel. Each reader will have to decide for themselves whether to read the story/poem before or after reading the main narrative. Both methods will work with varying results. However, for those that choose to wait, excerpts of the story/poem introduce each new section of the novel as well as at various moments within the plot. Those excerpts are timed to both reflect upon and anticipate developments within the main narrative, so it might make more sense to keep that element of surprise and save the reading of the story/poem until the end.
Jonathan Edward Durham knows children’s literature. As readers make their way through Winterset Hollow there are allusions and even direct references to classics like Alice in Wonderland, Watership Down, and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Even the inciting action will call to mind a classic. When a group of readers—dedicated fans of “Winterset Hollow”—are randomly selected to win a coveted ticket to visit the Addington Isle, the secluded island oasis where Mr. Addington wrote his classic story. It’s hard to read that section and not think of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the resulting shattered illusions of that visit. Trust me when I say those revelations will look like “child’s play” compared to what is about to happen in Winterset Hollow.
Eamon Buckley is the main character of Winterset Hollow. As readers discover Eamon’s tragic past, they bond with him in a way that is required for the remainder of the novel to work to its fullest effect. Now as a young adult—a time when the realities of the World often rear their ugly head—Eamon is about to face the collision of his beloved pastime (reading) and the harsh truths of idol worship. At a time when the modern literary community is trying to reckon with the tainted legacies of folks like J. K. Rowling, Neil Gaiman, and yes, even Mr. Dahl himself, Winterset Hollow doesn’t shy away from exposing how challenging it can be to separate the art from the artist. As Eamon becomes the undeclared leader of this group of stranded fans facing the wrath of unimaginable terrors, readers will feel trepidation faced with each new paragraph and page.
Going too deeply into the plot of Winterset Hollow will ruin the experience for readers. The book is being marketed as horror, but in reality, it’s more of a true mash-up of horror, thriller, bildungsroman, and mystery. It is a gory masterpiece, without question. If you don’t want to read about bloody encounters between the world of humans and that of the animals (nature), Winterset Hollow is not the book for you. Almost like Aesop’s Fables, the end result of reading this novel contains some life lessons that readers are sure to carry with them into their own reality. In particular for this reader, there will be quotes from the Owls that are sure to become everyday mantras.
Only time will tell if Winterset Hollow can rise to the level of classic, but there is no denying that every reader who makes their way through this twisted journey will leave with scars. Jonathan Edward Durham has crafted the type of novel that readers can’t stop thinking about long after the final page is turned. Winterset Hollow is not only a physical place, it’s a mental state that will take a lifetime to reconcile. Think of it as a “dear john letter” from the subjects of a (or all) beloved book(s) to the readers who consume the tale(s) as simply entertainment. Proceed with caution.
BUY LINKS: Winterset Hollow by Jonathan Edward Durham
Disclaimer: An e-galley of this title was provided to BOLO Books by the publisher. No promotion was promised and the above is an unbiased review of the novel.
