This novel is set in post nazi Germany in a town barely touched by civility. This book is not about ghosts but rather the unrelenting hatefulness of the human condition. The characters perpetuate superstitions and act without an ounce of humility and judgement. This book is not one I would happily suggest to a friend or foe. The only reason it gets three stars from me Is because of the authors skilled writing. This book has no other point other than to act as a parable. Warning us that ignorance and superstition can be the undoing of a whole civilization. I was really torn over whether I really liked this book, or was horrified and appalled by it. I think both. I liked the writing style, it was very clean and concise which only adds to the creepiness by describing unexpected horrors in matter-of-fact, no-nonsense prose. This book was compared to the works of Shirley Jackson and the Bad Seed, it was described as an elegant nightmare, part nostalgia trip and part horror show. I suppose all of these descriptions are correct, but none of it prepared me for the brutal level of violence that is visited upon ALL of the characters. Everyone in this small West German village is abused/ravaged/scared/horribly afflicted in one way or another.So yeah, I was appalled. But I was also mesmerized and couldn't look away.
What do You think about Hemmersmoor (2011)?
One weird messed up little book. I strongly enjoyed it tho and it all came together in the end!
—gemas15
Interesting read of interconnected short stories.
—CatchMeIfYouCan
