Reviewed by Jeanne
This book was recommended to me by a patron who
commented, “They say he’s a horror writer, but I don’t think this is
horror.” Intrigued, I decided to give The
Magic Cottage a try.
Musician Mike Stringer and his significant other,
artist Midge Gudgeon, have toyed with the idea of a rural cottage from some
time. While their careers keep them both
busy, they feel perhaps a change of scene would be good for the creative spirit—and
keep Mike away from some unhealthy influences. Midge spots an advertisement for
just such a cottage and they make inquiries, even visiting the place. Midge is
instantly smitten, though Mike has some reservations: the ad said some repairs
would be necessary and to his eyes, the repairs are more extensive than he had
in mind. It doesn’t matter though, as the price quoted is beyond their means.
Except then it suddenly isn’t. Both Mike and
Midge receive generous job offers that would more than cover what they
need. And at second look, even the repairs
don’t seem as daunting.
Of course, as this all happens in the first couple
of chapters and there is a lot of book to go, that’s not all that happens in
the cottage known as Gramarye.
I agree with the patron who said she didn’t think it
was horror, but then everyone’s definition of horror differs. There are supernatural elements and a battle
between good and evil, but I found it nicely unsettling and a bit creepy (in a
good way) rather than horror. For one
thing, I enjoyed Herbert’s descriptions of the village, the forest, and the
cottage itself. Mike, our narrator, is a
likeable guy, and he comes across as honest and dependable. He adores Midge, who is also a genuinely nice
person. I was especially fond of the
squirrel, Rumbo, who sort of adopts them, but then I tend to be fond of animal
characters. The supernatural elements
were handled well and kept the pages turning.
If you like a bit of shiver in your reading this time of year, The Magic Cottage
might just provide it.
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