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After a failed attempt at suicide,
former respected college professor and successful novelist Dale
Stewart returns to his hometown, Elm Haven, Ill., after a 41-year
absence to begin on his finest work — a novel that he hopes will
help him remember a summer 41 years ago, and one that he hopes will
help him to put back together the pieces of his shattered life. He
hopes to write this novel at the former home of his childhood best
friend, Duane McBride.
Most of the story is told from the view
of Duane McBride, who is Dale’s childhood friend as well as a ghost.
You see, the summer of 1960 was the last year of Duane’s life. His
death and the circumstances surrounding it have haunted Dale for at
least 40 years, and he hopes that by staying in the "Jolly Corner"
(Duane’s name for the old farmhouse), he can remember what
transpired that long-ago summer and finally bring some closure to
the incident that continues to plague him in his adult years. He
also hopes to use this time to begin to sort out the mess that has
become his life.
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this review] |
Throughout the story we are transported
back to Dale’s youth through his reminiscences and through those of
the ever-present ghost Duane. Eerie events begin to transpire at the
Jolly Corner almost at once. Lights burn in an unused, boarded-up
part of the house, Dale finds cryptic messages left on his computer,
and he begins to be followed around by ominous black dogs.
This eerie tale satisfies immensely,
with just the right amount of suspense and horror to keep readers on
the edge of their seats.
Dan Simmons
is the author of the classic tale of terror "Summer of Night," which
Stephen King praised as "an American Nightmare with scares,
suspense, and a sweet, surprising nostalgia, one of those rare
must-read books." Among Simmons’ other works are the critically
acclaimed suspense novels "Darwin’s Blade" and "The Crook Factory";
"Song of Kali"; "Carrion Comfort"; "Fires of Eden"; the
award-winning "Hyperion," "The Fall of Hyperion" and their sequels,
"Endymion" and "The Rise of Endymion." A former teacher, Simmons
makes his home in Colorado.
[Bobbi Reddix, Lincoln Public
Library District] |
