What do you think?
Rate this book
The Wanderer in Unknown Realms
“Books alter men, and men, in their turn, alter worlds.”
Soter is a man who has been haunted by World War I. But when he’s sent to investigate the disappearance of Lionel Maudling, the owner of a grand country house whose heir may be accused for his death, he encounters a home that will lead him to nightmares he could have never imagined.
Maudling’s estate houses countless books of every sort—histories, dramas, scientific treatises. But none seems to offer Soter any hint to Maudling’s whereabouts, until he’s led to an arcane London bookseller where the reclusive scholar made his last purchase. What Soter finds at the end of a twisted maze of clues is a book like no other, with a legacy that will put everything he knows in danger…
An inventive horror novella from internationally bestselling author John Connolly, this is a story of madness, of obsession, and of books’ power to change the world.
Soter is a man who has been haunted by World War I. But when he’s sent to investigate the disappearance of Lionel Maudling, the owner of a grand country house whose heir may be accused for his death, he encounters a home that will lead him to nightmares he could have never imagined.
Maudling’s estate houses countless books of every sort—histories, dramas, scientific treatises. But none seems to offer Soter any hint to Maudling’s whereabouts, until he’s led to an arcane London bookseller where the reclusive scholar made his last purchase. What Soter finds at the end of a twisted maze of clues is a book like no other, with a legacy that will put everything he knows in danger…
An inventive horror novella from internationally bestselling author John Connolly, this is a story of madness, of obsession, and of books’ power to change the world.
128 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
37 people are currently reading
2032 people want to read
About the author
John Connolly
231 books7,832 followersJohn Connolly was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1968 and has, at various points in his life, worked as a journalist, a barman, a local government official, a waiter and a dogsbody at Harrods department store in London. He studied English in Trinity College, Dublin and journalism at Dublin City University, subsequently spending five years working as a freelance journalist for The Irish Times newspaper, to which he continues to contribute.
He is based in Dublin but divides his time between his native city and the United States.
This page is administered by John's assistant, Clair, on John's behalf. If you'd like to communicate with John directly, you can do so by writing to contact-at-johnconnollybooks.com, or by following him on Twitter at @JConnollyBooks.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors with similar names.
He is based in Dublin but divides his time between his native city and the United States.
This page is administered by John's assistant, Clair, on John's behalf. If you'd like to communicate with John directly, you can do so by writing to contact-at-johnconnollybooks.com, or by following him on Twitter at @JConnollyBooks.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors with similar names.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
July 2, 2013
I am a HUGE John Connolly fan. His Charlie Parker series is one of the few that I have stuck with over the years. The writing is still inventive and fresh, and Mr. Connolly can weave words with the best of them. This novella is no exception.
I don't get into the plot too much in my reviews, so I will only say the following:
If you are a fan of well written horror literature with a touch of intensity, in the vein of books like The Turn of The Screw or The Haunting of Hill House, this novella was written for you. If you don't mind not having every little thing tied up in a pretty bow, AND you have some imagination, this story is for you. If you like John Connolly and this sounds even vaguely appealing to you, take a chance. For .99 you can't go wrong and you just might come away with a whole new appreciation for horror literature.
I don't get into the plot too much in my reviews, so I will only say the following:
If you are a fan of well written horror literature with a touch of intensity, in the vein of books like The Turn of The Screw or The Haunting of Hill House, this novella was written for you. If you don't mind not having every little thing tied up in a pretty bow, AND you have some imagination, this story is for you. If you like John Connolly and this sounds even vaguely appealing to you, take a chance. For .99 you can't go wrong and you just might come away with a whole new appreciation for horror literature.
July 15, 2013
Soter, a former British soldier turned private detective, is charged with investigating the sudden disappearance of wealthy recluse and obsessive book collector Lionel Maudling. Soter's boss, the wealthy bookkeeper of the missing man in question, urges the utmost discretion in the search for Mr. Maudling's whereabouts. Can Soter find Maudling before the trail runs cold or will an unknown presence jeopardize Soter’s already fragile state of mind?
Connolly does a great job here working within the constraints of a novella. That being said, this could easily be expanded into a fully fleshed out novel. Both the characters and plot are very strong and it’s a shame that we only get to spend such a short amount of time in this world. However, I feel like that’s kind of an unfair criticism and that the book should be judged purely on what it is – a quick read that packs an emotional punch.
Connolly’s protagonist, Soter, is a fascinating character. Shell-shocked from his time spent fighting in the first World War, Soter has little to offer anyone other than his employer, Quayle, who uses Soter from time to time in dealing with clients who find themselves in less than desirable positions. While he’s not outwardly downtrodden, he certainly has strong opinions on those who did not serve alongside him but rather hold judgement against those who had.
Just like in his Samuel Johnson novels, the prose differs from his trademark Charlie Parker series but still retains that trademark wit and supernatural style. While it does come across as something fresh and outside his comfort zone, it still reads like a Connolly novel. There are also a few illustrations injected between select chapters from artist Emily Hall, giving it that extra bit of creepiness.
I can see a lot of people having issues with the ending but I loved it. I’m not going to tread into spoiler territory here but let’s just say that Connolly leaves it very open ended.
Connolly does a great job here working within the constraints of a novella. That being said, this could easily be expanded into a fully fleshed out novel. Both the characters and plot are very strong and it’s a shame that we only get to spend such a short amount of time in this world. However, I feel like that’s kind of an unfair criticism and that the book should be judged purely on what it is – a quick read that packs an emotional punch.
Connolly’s protagonist, Soter, is a fascinating character. Shell-shocked from his time spent fighting in the first World War, Soter has little to offer anyone other than his employer, Quayle, who uses Soter from time to time in dealing with clients who find themselves in less than desirable positions. While he’s not outwardly downtrodden, he certainly has strong opinions on those who did not serve alongside him but rather hold judgement against those who had.
The hatred for ex-soldiers on the part of those who had not fought was something I could not understand. They wanted us to disappear. There were no more parades now, no more kisses on the cheek. Soldiers were no more than beggars, and nobody likes a beggar. Perhaps we made them feel guilty by our presence. They might have preferred it had we all died in the mud and been buried far from England in places whose names we had not even learned to pronounce properly before we perished.
Just like in his Samuel Johnson novels, the prose differs from his trademark Charlie Parker series but still retains that trademark wit and supernatural style. While it does come across as something fresh and outside his comfort zone, it still reads like a Connolly novel. There are also a few illustrations injected between select chapters from artist Emily Hall, giving it that extra bit of creepiness.
I can see a lot of people having issues with the ending but I loved it. I’m not going to tread into spoiler territory here but let’s just say that Connolly leaves it very open ended.
November 12, 2018
"Скитник в непознати селения" хронологично се явява четвърти (и най-дълъг) "фрагмент" от цикъла "СЧУПЕНИЯТ АТЛАС" - ПЕТ ФРАГМЕНТА, който тази година видя бял в свят в цялата си прелест в сборника Нощна музика
През 2013 "Скитника" излиза като самостоятелно издание, а по-късно авторът явно решава да поработи още върху темите, заложени в него и да го свърже с три предхождащи го истории (І. "Страшилище за кралете", ІІ. "Джинът" и ІІІ. "Кал") и една заключителна (V. "И ще живеем в мрак"). Препрочетох повестта с удоволствие (по памет беше ми харесала още първия път), но сега сюжетът, завъртян около т.нар. "Атлас регнорум инкогнитум" ("Атлас на непознатите земи, "Атлас на географските невероятности" или "Счупеният атлас") придоби съвсем други измерения и според личните ми усещания на тези страници Хауърд Лъвкрафт се срещна с Артуро Перес-Реверте и Клайв Баркър по възможно най-добрия начин. Поклон, Джон!
През 2013 "Скитника" излиза като самостоятелно издание, а по-късно авторът явно решава да поработи още върху темите, заложени в него и да го свърже с три предхождащи го истории (І. "Страшилище за кралете", ІІ. "Джинът" и ІІІ. "Кал") и една заключителна (V. "И ще живеем в мрак"). Препрочетох повестта с удоволствие (по памет беше ми харесала още първия път), но сега сюжетът, завъртян около т.нар. "Атлас регнорум инкогнитум" ("Атлас на непознатите земи, "Атлас на географските невероятности" или "Счупеният атлас") придоби съвсем други измерения и според личните ми усещания на тези страници Хауърд Лъвкрафт се срещна с Артуро Перес-Реверте и Клайв Баркър по възможно най-добрия начин. Поклон, Джон!
September 7, 2013
I am a HUGE John Connolly fan. His Charlie Parker series is one of the few that I have stuck with over the years. The writing is still inventive and fresh, and Mr. Connolly can weave words with the best of them. This novella is no exception.
I don't get into the plot too much in my reviews, so I will only say the following: If you are a fan of well written horror literature with a touch of intensity, in the vein of books like The Turn of The Screw or The Haunting of Hill House, this novella was written for you. If you don't mind not having every little thing tied up in a pretty bow, AND you have some imagination, this story is for you. If you like John Connolly and this sounds even vaguely appealing to you, take a chance. For .99 you can't go wrong and you just might come away with a whole new appreciation for horror literature.
I don't get into the plot too much in my reviews, so I will only say the following: If you are a fan of well written horror literature with a touch of intensity, in the vein of books like The Turn of The Screw or The Haunting of Hill House, this novella was written for you. If you don't mind not having every little thing tied up in a pretty bow, AND you have some imagination, this story is for you. If you like John Connolly and this sounds even vaguely appealing to you, take a chance. For .99 you can't go wrong and you just might come away with a whole new appreciation for horror literature.
July 2, 2013
A brilliant novella from Connolly about the search for a missing wealthy man and the discovery of a mysterious book with potential world-changing powers. The writing is flawless as you sink deeper and deeper into the mystery, which does not disappoint in its conclusion. Connolly once again proves why he is the best out there at this, bar none. Very highly recommended.
July 2, 2013
A missing man, a long lost ancient book of unknown realms and the man hired to find out the truth about the disappearance and what exactly happens if the book gets opened. Unfortunately, some books and people were never meant to be found, unless they want to be…
John Connolly is one of the best. I have never read anything that was less than stellar from him. His stories are rich with elegant prose and his writing style keeps the story moving at a perfect pace. This could have easily been a full length novel. 5 stars!
John Connolly is one of the best. I have never read anything that was less than stellar from him. His stories are rich with elegant prose and his writing style keeps the story moving at a perfect pace. This could have easily been a full length novel. 5 stars!
June 2, 2013
I’m having trouble with Kindle Singles - they’re either so short they’re barely a short story, or they really need to be a novel to do the subject justice. You just don’t know what you’re getting. The Wanderer in Unknown Realms is John Connolly’s much publicised Kindle Single, a horror story of novella length that should really be a novel. He’s a brilliant writer, so I wasn’t surprised to be engaged with a world of Dickensian characters (the lawyer Quayle, the sinister booksellers Dunwidge and Daughter) all caught up in a spine tingling plot. Soter - a world war one veteran, shell-shocked and bereaved, works as a private detective and takes on the case of missing Lionel Maulding, an elderly country gentlemen with a taste for antiquarian books.
Soters search takes him into the world of arcana and rare occult books. Soon he begins to experience the occult world for himself and has moments when he doubts his sanity. Lionel Maulding had been on the trail of a book so rare, so dangerous, that it has eluded generations of occult specialists. The Atlas of Unknown Realms has the power to change the space time continuum and re-write the nature of reality. Soter soon has reason to fear that the book has been found and opened when time begins to bend around him and horrific creatures materialise out of the darkness.
At this point I was really gripped. I wanted to know what had happened to Lionel Maulding and how the world was going to be saved - hopefully by Soter. But the novella’s ending is a complete let-down and unfortunately ruined the whole for me. Maybe others will disagree. I’m not going to do a spoiler - but I think it was a cop-out!
There are wonderful, creepy illustrations by Emily Hall that make the production of this book a class act.
Soters search takes him into the world of arcana and rare occult books. Soon he begins to experience the occult world for himself and has moments when he doubts his sanity. Lionel Maulding had been on the trail of a book so rare, so dangerous, that it has eluded generations of occult specialists. The Atlas of Unknown Realms has the power to change the space time continuum and re-write the nature of reality. Soter soon has reason to fear that the book has been found and opened when time begins to bend around him and horrific creatures materialise out of the darkness.
At this point I was really gripped. I wanted to know what had happened to Lionel Maulding and how the world was going to be saved - hopefully by Soter. But the novella’s ending is a complete let-down and unfortunately ruined the whole for me. Maybe others will disagree. I’m not going to do a spoiler - but I think it was a cop-out!
There are wonderful, creepy illustrations by Emily Hall that make the production of this book a class act.
June 1, 2014
This was an engaging novella from one of my favourite writers. Full of brilliant prose and atmospheric tension which are always John Connolly's strong points. It touched on the supernatural, other-worlds and fragile minds. The historical setting and language flowed flawlessly with the premise of the story. I love books about books.
"Books are not fixed objects: They transmit words and ideas. Their effect on each reader is unique. They put pictures in our minds. They take root. "
This is exactly what happened and why my imagination and I are happy with the ending of this great read.
"Books are not fixed objects: They transmit words and ideas. Their effect on each reader is unique. They put pictures in our minds. They take root. "
This is exactly what happened and why my imagination and I are happy with the ending of this great read.
August 31, 2013
A nightmarish novella, written in the time honored tradition of the classic "weird tale", Connolly simultaneously transports and terrifies the reader in this tale about the search for a missing book collector and a mythical tome that makes the Necronomicon pale in comparison.
March 17, 2017
Дадох една звезда отгоре, защото Конъли е автор, който много харесвам и някои от книгите му са нещо, което удря в земята и титани на жанра. Плюсът на това книжле е, че е тъничко, ала минусите... По-добре да не се спирам на тях.
January 24, 2018
it's Connolly, so of course the writing is stellar... perfectly chosen settings and characters (caricatures??) with a slowly developing tale of a missing book collector and something much much more diabolical... less of the horror-type tale, more of the atmospheric and eerie, kind of Poe-etical... one question: based on what transpires, who wrote this transcript of woe and otherworldly beings??? as i read this, i kept wondering: have i already read this already? seems the place settings are in fact revisited in Connolly's 'Night Music', so i'm not totally bonkers... yet... enjoyable, but not a good intro to Connolly, as it is less about 'what is reality?' and more about 'which reality is it?'...
August 7, 2016
This little story ended up going places I didn’t expect it to. Probably because I didn’t read the blurb. I just saw it was John Connolly and immediately snapped it up. I think it was a freebie from Simon & Schuster or something. Or I skimmed the blurb. Either way imagine my surprise when it ended up spiraling down the rabbit hole.
The voice is very quirky and old timey and harkened back to a more Edwardian era where things were PROPER and put together. And then the story dissolves into chaos as creatures start crawling out of the corners and the world flips itself on its side.
You really start to question your own perception of what’s going on in the story because when Soter checks back in with his handlers he finds out he’s lost chunks of time, like weeks. And I think his trauma from the war is meant to set him up as somewhat of an unreliable narrator. Maybe he has some PTSD and his view of the world is a little skewed and maybe he’s just not quite right. Maybe this case is pushing him over the edge.
Or is it?
The world seems to be mutating because of the opening of the book mentioned in the blurb and there may not be any undoing. The story got pretty dark about a third of the way into it and just spun into blackness after that. Took me completely by surprise because I started off not really enjoying the voice. It was a bit too much, a little too over the top. And then we fell off the top and I squealed with glee as poo started to hit the clawed fan.
A horrifyingly pleasant little story, THE WANDERER IN UNKNOWN REALMS. I think because the last, and only, book I read by John Connolly was THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS which was whimsical with an edge, which I loved. Maybe I was expecting the same thing here. Instead I got nightmares and I just loved it to pieces. I’m demented, yes. I’m okay with that.
5
The voice is very quirky and old timey and harkened back to a more Edwardian era where things were PROPER and put together. And then the story dissolves into chaos as creatures start crawling out of the corners and the world flips itself on its side.
You really start to question your own perception of what’s going on in the story because when Soter checks back in with his handlers he finds out he’s lost chunks of time, like weeks. And I think his trauma from the war is meant to set him up as somewhat of an unreliable narrator. Maybe he has some PTSD and his view of the world is a little skewed and maybe he’s just not quite right. Maybe this case is pushing him over the edge.
Or is it?
The world seems to be mutating because of the opening of the book mentioned in the blurb and there may not be any undoing. The story got pretty dark about a third of the way into it and just spun into blackness after that. Took me completely by surprise because I started off not really enjoying the voice. It was a bit too much, a little too over the top. And then we fell off the top and I squealed with glee as poo started to hit the clawed fan.
A horrifyingly pleasant little story, THE WANDERER IN UNKNOWN REALMS. I think because the last, and only, book I read by John Connolly was THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS which was whimsical with an edge, which I loved. Maybe I was expecting the same thing here. Instead I got nightmares and I just loved it to pieces. I’m demented, yes. I’m okay with that.
5
January 13, 2015
Окултна книга вещае края на света: http://knigolandia.info/book-review/s...
Изрично дирих дали книгата не е част от поредица, което би я оправдало по някакъв начин, но не е. Първата ми среща с Джон Конъли си е разочарование и добрият стил, на който е написана, не може да спаси сюжетната недостатъчност. Хайде сега, в XXI век кратък роман (дълъг разказ?) за мистериозна книга, която ще унищожи света, и странни същества, свързани с нея, които преследват главния герой, не са сериозна тема. Ако “Скитник в непознати селения” (не мога да избягам от сходството на заглавието със “Странник в странна страна” на Хайнлайн) бе написана преди два века, би била чудесен образец на ранния хорър, точно като “Кралят в жълто” на Чеймбърс – атмосфера, бавно развитие (до три четвърти от книгата не се случи почти нищо), мистична атмосфера, окултни клонения… но дори и като реверанс към авторите от ония времена пак не мога да я разбера, твърде кратка и недостатъчна ми изглежда.
ИК Прозорец
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/s...
Изрично дирих дали книгата не е част от поредица, което би я оправдало по някакъв начин, но не е. Първата ми среща с Джон Конъли си е разочарование и добрият стил, на който е написана, не може да спаси сюжетната недостатъчност. Хайде сега, в XXI век кратък роман (дълъг разказ?) за мистериозна книга, която ще унищожи света, и странни същества, свързани с нея, които преследват главния герой, не са сериозна тема. Ако “Скитник в непознати селения” (не мога да избягам от сходството на заглавието със “Странник в странна страна” на Хайнлайн) бе написана преди два века, би била чудесен образец на ранния хорър, точно като “Кралят в жълто” на Чеймбърс – атмосфера, бавно развитие (до три четвърти от книгата не се случи почти нищо), мистична атмосфера, окултни клонения… но дори и като реверанс към авторите от ония времена пак не мога да я разбера, твърде кратка и недостатъчна ми изглежда.
ИК Прозорец
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/s...
February 18, 2015
Superb. Chilling, beautifully written and another triumph for John Connolly. This is the man who can write about a small dachshund called Colin and about apocalyptic ends of the world and make either book utterly compelling.
This is a very bleak novella, exquisitely written with an intriguing plot. Any genuine book lover will find this very disturbing.
What if books were like a virus: they infected the mind?
Look at what's happening in the world now: a dark tide creeping over Europe, the lights of our civilization going out. The power of a book, indeed.
Those of you in the States may not understand this at all; you are isolated from the shadow that moves inexorably over Europe.
This book is a very timely reminder that there is genuine evil out there just waiting to get into this world. A powerful, painful read. Highly recommended.
This is a very bleak novella, exquisitely written with an intriguing plot. Any genuine book lover will find this very disturbing.
What if books were like a virus: they infected the mind?
Look at what's happening in the world now: a dark tide creeping over Europe, the lights of our civilization going out. The power of a book, indeed.
Those of you in the States may not understand this at all; you are isolated from the shadow that moves inexorably over Europe.
This book is a very timely reminder that there is genuine evil out there just waiting to get into this world. A powerful, painful read. Highly recommended.
May 6, 2018
I don’t quite know what to make of this book. It starts off well, and throughout it’s atmospheric and leaves me curious. The bit about the power of books is creepily powerful, and there’s some great description in the most uncanny bits. The main character is handled well, too, in my opinion: he has a past which he never has to elaborate on, but which nonetheless colours everything he does and says. But then you get to the end of the book and it suddenly… stops. As my wife pointed out to me, the ending is pretty classic horror stuff, with no closure, but… Then you’ve got the narrator, telling his story. To whom? How? Why? That aspect all rather broke my engagement with the story, because I like there to be a reason.
If you’re a fan of John Connolly or of creepy crustaceans in horror novellas, this might be your thing, but I don’t think I’d recommend it in general.
Reviewed for The Bibliophibian.
If you’re a fan of John Connolly or of creepy crustaceans in horror novellas, this might be your thing, but I don’t think I’d recommend it in general.
Reviewed for The Bibliophibian.
September 8, 2022
That ending was a mean cliffhanger. This was a horror novella and I was invested in it by chapter three. Connolly does a masterful job in capturing the readers interest in that it starts off slowly as a mystery then steadily climbs into terror. While I was intrigued, then disgusted by some of the scenes, I remain unafraid. However I really enjoyed this, in that it has a ghost story attached and it deals with the occult. Even the devil makes an appearance. It's a good story and perfect for fall. 5 ⭐!
March 24, 2014
My most substantial complaint is this horror mystery ended too soon. So much was appealing including the WW1 veteran now investigator, Mr. Soter. Highly capable but haunted by the battlefield, he accepts a missing person case that soon centres on a missing book. This tome holds a dangerous power and as Soter closes in the pace, intrigue and scares masterfully accelerate. Connolly reminds us in a few clever ways that books can influence, even change, the world.
As always, his turn of phrase invites and entertains. Here are just two examples:
"Qualye was a surprisingly elegant man of sixty winters or more. (One might have said "sixty springs" or "sixty summers", but that would be inaccurate, for Quayle was a man of bare trees and frozen water)."
“I had met plain women, even ugly women, whose physical shortcomings had been remedied by the spirit within, their decency and kindness even effecting a kind of transformation upon them, softening the bluntness of their features. This was not such a woman. The blight was inside her, and no restyling of her hair, no careful use of cosmetics, no pretty dresses could have made her any less unsettling than she was.”
You will finish this tale in an hour or two. May I suggest you do so in a cozy chair with a favourite libation and crackling fire and candles. Most importantly, pick a dark and stormy night.
As always, his turn of phrase invites and entertains. Here are just two examples:
"Qualye was a surprisingly elegant man of sixty winters or more. (One might have said "sixty springs" or "sixty summers", but that would be inaccurate, for Quayle was a man of bare trees and frozen water)."
“I had met plain women, even ugly women, whose physical shortcomings had been remedied by the spirit within, their decency and kindness even effecting a kind of transformation upon them, softening the bluntness of their features. This was not such a woman. The blight was inside her, and no restyling of her hair, no careful use of cosmetics, no pretty dresses could have made her any less unsettling than she was.”
You will finish this tale in an hour or two. May I suggest you do so in a cozy chair with a favourite libation and crackling fire and candles. Most importantly, pick a dark and stormy night.
January 30, 2015
John Connolly’s Charlie Parker series has become increasingly anaemic of late, evidence perhaps of a publisher unwilling to slaughter the proverbial cash cow.
More is the pity because this brief novella, published around the time of The Wrath of Angels, shows what a fine horror writer Connolly is. (Everything Dead Thing remains one of the best novels I have ever read).
Unknown Realms is a glorious homage to Lovecraft, replete with mysterious tomes and weird malformed creatures from distant universes.
Connolly clearly had fun here: there is a Dickensian attention to detail, and he inexorably ratchets up the tension to a truly apocalyptic ending that would have made the Master proud.
I think Connolly’s last short fiction collection was Nocturnes. Interestingly, like most horror writers, he really seems to excel in the shorter format. Let us hope he writes many more.
(And here is also to the larger hope that he finally, mercifully, gives Charlie Parker his own well-deserved sojourn in the unknown realms).
More is the pity because this brief novella, published around the time of The Wrath of Angels, shows what a fine horror writer Connolly is. (Everything Dead Thing remains one of the best novels I have ever read).
Unknown Realms is a glorious homage to Lovecraft, replete with mysterious tomes and weird malformed creatures from distant universes.
Connolly clearly had fun here: there is a Dickensian attention to detail, and he inexorably ratchets up the tension to a truly apocalyptic ending that would have made the Master proud.
I think Connolly’s last short fiction collection was Nocturnes. Interestingly, like most horror writers, he really seems to excel in the shorter format. Let us hope he writes many more.
(And here is also to the larger hope that he finally, mercifully, gives Charlie Parker his own well-deserved sojourn in the unknown realms).
September 9, 2019
I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this book - especially the ending. I'm not a huge fan of I think it can work sometimes, and others - not so much. The ending of this novella felt rather abrupt, to me, and instead of leaving me feeling disturbed, or whatever, I just felt kind of like, "Is that it?"
The book started well, with a sort of Women in Black vibe as Soter's investigation of Maudling's disappearance takes him to the man's house, filled to the brim with books, and strange things start happening.
But then the investigation takes him back to London, and it felt like a more standard PI kind of book, for awhile, until it gets to the part where you're not certain
I wish the atmosphere of the first part of the book had stayed throughout, and I wish the possibility of was explored more.
The book started well, with a sort of Women in Black vibe as Soter's investigation of Maudling's disappearance takes him to the man's house, filled to the brim with books, and strange things start happening.
But then the investigation takes him back to London, and it felt like a more standard PI kind of book, for awhile, until it gets to the part where you're not certain
I wish the atmosphere of the first part of the book had stayed throughout, and I wish the possibility of was explored more.
November 28, 2024
Story-wise, much about THE WANDERER IN UNKNOWN REALMS falls flat. The pieces of the plot don't always fit together as precisely as they should, and the horror elements are sometimes more cheesy than scary, like watching a SILENT HILL movie.
But, man, talk about your well-written prose! Definitely the best-written .99 Kindle Single I've encountered thus far.
The basic premise is sound, and I love Connolly's blending of horror and detective story, like the literary offspring of Dennis Lehane and H.P. Lovecraft. I'm also a sucker for books about books.
Any quibbles I might have over THE WANDERER IN UNKNOWN REALMS pale in comparison to all that Connolly gets right. A truly atmospheric and unsettling piece of work!
But, man, talk about your well-written prose! Definitely the best-written .99 Kindle Single I've encountered thus far.
The basic premise is sound, and I love Connolly's blending of horror and detective story, like the literary offspring of Dennis Lehane and H.P. Lovecraft. I'm also a sucker for books about books.
Any quibbles I might have over THE WANDERER IN UNKNOWN REALMS pale in comparison to all that Connolly gets right. A truly atmospheric and unsettling piece of work!
February 21, 2015
Although too short by half, I really enjoyed this creepy trip to post-WWI London! Sotor is set on the task to find wealthy book collector Maulding, who seems to have vanished into thin air....ether air? Sotor discovers the hermit has become obsessed with books on the occult....one in particular, one they may be better off unfound.
November 3, 2013
It's been too long since I have read any of John Connolly's delicious books...
This didn't disappoint and makes me want to seek out the Charlie Parker series (I have only read a couple and they were out of sequence) as Soter seems to be of the same breed of private detective.
This didn't disappoint and makes me want to seek out the Charlie Parker series (I have only read a couple and they were out of sequence) as Soter seems to be of the same breed of private detective.
June 4, 2013
scary stuff - written in slightly dated language which works for the setting but different to Connolly's usual Charlie Parker books
July 9, 2013
A very short tale....hardly seemed like a book at all it went so quickly...but very intriguing and bizarre and scary...in a tingly funny-feeling to the innards- kind of scary way! You'll love it!
March 28, 2017
WELL.
THIS was one WEIRD book. Totally. CREEEEEEEEEPY.
May 9, 2017
Seriously, what a creepy, eerie story. I did not sleep well the night I read this. It was so good, freaky, and needed to be longer!!!
December 13, 2021
This is a novella that ABSOLUTELY should've been a full-length novel. What a great premise; would've loved to dive much further into the [unknown] world Connolly created here!
July 26, 2017
I've been reading a lot of horror lately because I'm obsessed with why a judge in a horror writing contest told me my story wasn't horror. After reading The Wanderer in Unknown Realms I've come to the conclusion that, maybe, there is no hope for the characters in horror. Am I wrong?
Anyway, it's sad that there is no hope in The Wanderer in Unknown Realms because the poor guy has been through so much, watching comrades die needlessly due to lack of good leadership during World War I, seeing his family killed during the same war. So the reader kind of hopes for some good luck for the protagonist. Good luck with that. The book is written so darn well. I actually got the crawlies and horror books don't usually bother me. Could have been the tick infested area I live in, too.
Connolly's books might be the best so far in making me understand what was lacking in my own story. Of course, it would have been easier if the judge told me, but I'm miss out on all this good reading.
Anyway, it's sad that there is no hope in The Wanderer in Unknown Realms because the poor guy has been through so much, watching comrades die needlessly due to lack of good leadership during World War I, seeing his family killed during the same war. So the reader kind of hopes for some good luck for the protagonist. Good luck with that. The book is written so darn well. I actually got the crawlies and horror books don't usually bother me. Could have been the tick infested area I live in, too.
Connolly's books might be the best so far in making me understand what was lacking in my own story. Of course, it would have been easier if the judge told me, but I'm miss out on all this good reading.
January 19, 2017
Surprisingly good book! Couldn't put it down, read it in one go ;) A friend recommended me John Connolly so I will likely be reading the rest of his works.
I really liked the main character and his struggles, the supernatural element was truly creepy and well the ending leaves you wondering, and kind of sad for not knowing weather his struggle is physical or psychological.
Feels refreshing to read something so catchy after a long stream of mediocre literature.
I really liked the main character and his struggles, the supernatural element was truly creepy and well the ending leaves you wondering, and kind of sad for not knowing weather his struggle is physical or psychological.
Feels refreshing to read something so catchy after a long stream of mediocre literature.
December 19, 2020
Има събития, които никой никога не бива да изживява, има книги, които никой никога не бива да разтваря. И както ужасът на войната може да се впримчи в съзнанието ти и да те докара до лудост, така идеите, които една книга съдържа, могат да се вкоренят в главата ти, да променят изцяло мисленето ти, да се разпространят като зараза.
Новела в стила на Лъвкрафт.
Пълната рецензия: https://flame16.blogspot.com/2020/12/...
Новела в стила на Лъвкрафт.
Пълната рецензия: https://flame16.blogspot.com/2020/12/...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews