You know that old sci-fi or supernatural novel you checked out from the library when you were a kid? You've forgotten the title and the author, but you remember the 80s-tastic cover almost clearly... you remember there were these two kids, a boy and a girl, and... and it was thrilling, and it's half-haunted your memory and your dreams ever since.Just so you know, there's about a 50% chance that book was by William Sleator.For me, that was Sleator's "Into the Dream;" I hadn't read "Blackbriar" before, but I wasn't surprised that many of the reviews are from adults who half-remember this thrilling book from their childhood. I understand why those reviewers say it didn't live up to their expectations upon rereading. It is really disappointing how Lark is introduced to us as a character who's brave and independent, but turns into a whimpering, arm-clutching coward whenever something scary happens, all in order to propel the (initially cowardly, passive) hero Danny's maturation towards bravery and independence. Why does his gain have to come at her expense? It's very "Secret Garden" (I was a "Little Princess" fan, myself) -- as is the "living in the country turns lazy, sickly city boy healthy and energetic" plotline. And like other reviewers, I found the finale disappointing.All that said, this book deserves credit for something I haven't seen many reviewers mention. Sleator is a skilled, evocative, incredibly compelling prose writer. No wonder people who read his books in childhood remember moments and images from them so vividly, even when the other details have long faded. I was captivated not only by the gothic thrills and moments of shock he so effectively creates, but by his writing style, his gorgeous ability to describe scenes from the creepy, beautiful house in the woods and scenes from daily life so marvelously. The book was worth the read just for that.
Blackbriar's cover claims that it's a story about "ghosts and witchcraft," which is only true if you count a couple of random mentions about these topics. I would, instead, call this as a story about a young boy learning to stand up for himself.That's a fine topic to cover, but when I'm promised a book with ghosts and witchcraft, well, I want a book about ghosts and witchcraft. The setting was right, a 17th century cottage hidden away in the middle of the woods, but the rest just didn't stack up with the magical elements barely even getting a mention until the last 30 pages of the book. In fact, had it not been for the back cover claiming that this was a supernatural tale, I wouldn't have realized that's what the author was going for. I was also more than a little annoyed by how the two main character acted.Danny, the story's central protagonist, often falls prey to the "a normal child would tell someone about this, but I can't because then the book would end" trope and his co-star Lark falls prey to the "I'm a cool, independent woman, except for when there's trouble, then I need a big, strong man to protect me" trope. I can't stand either of these, so that took away a lot of my enjoyment.All in all, this isn't a book I'd recommend to anyone. There's far better supernatural, magical-realism suspense novels out there. If you're looking for one, maybe give The Riddles of Epsilon a try.
What do You think about Blackbriar (1975)?
The Story...Blackbriar is the story of Danny, a young boy from London who has lost both his parents. Now he lives with the secretary at his school, Philippa Sibley. She wants the best for him, but is also a little protective of Danny. Quite early in the story, Philippa decides to buy a house on the countryside and forces Danny to come and live with her.The house is called Blackbriar and is a haunted house. They find a strange door to the basement with some old names and dates. The last name, Mary Peachy, is the only name with a date. They also find a strange wooden figurine that Philippa dislikes, in fact, she asks Danny to take it outside. He doesn't, of course, instead he hides it in his room.The big question is... who were those people with the dates and especially... who was Mary Peachy? Also, why are the locals acting so strange? My Judgment...This story is a classic story that offers few surprises, if any. The relationship between Danny and Philippa is a strange one that I am still baffled at. She is not his guardian... so what is she? I liked the idea of Blackbriar, which has a good and detailed story. Lastly, I've labeled this book horror, but really, it isn't that scary, even to a child. I would recommend this book to children age 9-13.
—K. Axel
This and Fingers are my favorites among Sleator's books.In Blackbriar, we have the traditional lonely, possibly haunted, house in the country, an orphan child and a neurotic caretaker, and a powerful, wealthy figure of menace. As each manifestation of ghostly menace is discovered, it turns out to have a natural explanation even more dangerous than the supposed supernatural one, so that bringing things into the clear light of day does not lessen the tension. Although it is aimed at older children, I was in my middle 20s when I read this. I'm not a horror fan, but I could not put this book down -- nor sleep the night I was reading it. Great stuff.
—Gentlyferal
I read this in fourth or maybe fifth grade, and remembered it ever since as a vague haunting recollection. My daughter has inherited my liking for ghostly and horrible stories, so I got it for her birthday -- happily, it was the same edition I read, with the very affecting surreal black and white illustrations. But she wouldn't read it! So I grabbed it and read it myself. Like most things from your childhood, it's a little smaller and less scary when you go back to it -- but still quite good enough! If you have a little Blair Witch rattling around your brain, that adds something extra. The story is nothing too surprising, and the climax is slightly contrived, but Sleator's control of mood is great. The book is just what it should be, and that's saying something.
—Steve Lane
