Robert R. McCammon

For the first time in years, I feel that I have discovered a favorite author and favorite book series and all of the makings of a true classic. This was my introduction to both the writing of McCammon and the Matthew Corbett series. I cannot wait to read the rest of this series! This book has everything, starting with absolutely wonderful writing and historical detail that is obviously well researched. The atmosphere and character development are to the degree that you feel as if you have stepped into the setting alongside the characters, and that you have known them quite well in real life.

Magistrate Isaac Woodward and his clerk Matthew Corbett immedately run into a life threatening situation at a remote inn on their way to Fount Royal, where the magistrate is to try a witch. Not long after the opening scene, harrowing action ensues. Woodward and Matthew barely escape with their lives, and nothing else and make their way through treacherous wilderness and harsh weather conditions to their destination. There they are met by the founder of this recent township along wtih sundry other townsfolk that we are introduced to in full detail as events unfold.

This book is truly a masterpiece. The description of life in Colonial America is very detailed. The central mysteries of the story are built up superbly. The atmosophere is one worthy of the Headless Horseman himself. Magistrate Woodward conducts his trial, even though he is suffering a grievous life threatening illness, which is worsened by his insistence on continuing his duties. Matthew, his clerk, is a very bright young man, who is not bound by the religious fervour affecting most of the inhabitants of the town. He is constantly observing, and is brilliant at piecing things together, asking questions and coming to conclusions. His mission becomes saving the beautiful woman on trial for witchcraft, Rachel. It doesn't seem like there's any hope of success, but the suspense is beyond belief.

There is violence aplenty as extremely violent and blood filled murders continue to plague Fount Royal and Matthew is convinced Satan is not responsible for them. He is, however, determined to find out who is.

At the risk of repeating myself, again, this book is simply a masterpiece. It has left me nearly speechless. I'm appalled that it has taken me this long to come across McCammon's writing, and in particular, this series. I urge you to read this book, immediately, if you have not already. This is the type of writing and book, and series, that you come across very few times over the years.

When I read a bit about McCammon's background, I was horrified and dismayed that the major publishers turned down this book, causing McCammon to withdraw from writing and publshing for years. What an absolute travesty. And how can that happen? If they read the book, that simply seems impossible. It has lessened my views of publishers immensely, I must say. Also I must thank the author for his perseverance and the small publishing house in Alabama that ultiimately published this book and this series.… (meer)

This wonderful nostalgic novel, with its frank homage to Ray Bradbury, explores the twelfth year in the life of its protagonist, Cory Mackenson. With 1960s Zephyr, Alabama standing in for 1920s Green Town, Illinois, Cory and his buddies traverse a season of devils and angels, monsters and miracles as they travel from childhood to the fringes of that unexplored territory called Grown-Up.

This is a time when the monsters that roamed the Saturday matinee movie screen began to seep into real life, sometimes into real people the boys had always known, a time when a bicycle was as good as a magic carpet, and a time when – amazingly, terrifyingly, those omnipotent gods-on-earth called parents, began to be revealed as Just People after all, with fears and concerns of their own which sometimes spilled over into a boy’s life.

There’s a rambling understory here that begins with a terrifying crime and ends with its resolution, but mostly the journey is told in episodic chapters, many of which could stand alone as first-class short stories, though most of them move the plot along in tiny increments. It’s peopled with characters real, almost-real, maybe-real, and … well, where does magical realism become fantasy? And does it matter whether a boy fights off a river monster with a twig broom in the real world or in an altered state that allows him to survive raging floodwaters?

This is a wonderful read for any fan of Bradbury’s, for anyone who ever sat mesmerized through an episode of The Twilight Zone, and for anyone who remembers that childhood journey through fields that now exist in memory alone.… (meer)

I became a huge fan of Robert McCammon's when I was in high school. I came across 'The Wolf's Hour' in the local library where I was drawn to the cover of the book; the snarling black wolf with green eyes.

And, so I read it with glee, not understanding so much the underlying WWII/Nazism story, but I loved it.

It's been around 20 years since I last read it, and now as an adult I can say this time I didn't enjoy it quite as much.

I found paper thin characterisation, some areas of the book which plodded along with nothing happening, and a number of loose ends and plot holes that even now bug the hell out of me.

But, what is the story about?

Well, it's about a man named Michael Gallatin, a man born of Russian aristocracy, who as a young child witnesses the murder of his parents during which he is bitten by a wolf. Of course, it's not a normal wolf, it's a werewolf.

With the wolf's venom in his veins, and the inevitability of death, the wolves take him to their den where he learns they are in fact human. In time, the venom takes hold and The Change begins. This part of the story is wonderfully told and is different than any other werewolf novel or short story I've read.

The Change takes weeks - months perhaps - and happens gradually as the body is weakened to the point of death. The bones crack and crunch as the body twists and contorts into excruciating positions. In fact, young Michael's death is almost expected given his age and apparent weakness. However, he (obviously) survives and becomes a werewolf.

As the years pass, he learns what it takes to become both a man, and a wolf. He hunts with the pack, comes to love them, and to accept both parts of himself.

Unfortunately, the rest of the book is set in 1948 when Michael is now a British Agent (yes, like James Bond) and is tasked with stopping an attack on Britain by Germany.

This is where we get into James Bond-y territory but without the same excitement which makes James Bond so much fun. As a result, you're left with a terrific story relative to him becoming a werewolf, but a sub-standard spy story filled with cardboard characters.

You know when you read a book and you have those "Oh, shit!" moments? You have a number of those moments in the werewolf backstory, but none in the spy story and as a result you're hoping for the next chapter where you can go back to the werewolf characters and Michael's time in Russia.

I still rate Robert very highly as a writer. I've read a number of his books and enjoyed each one - even this one, overall. But if you're looking for a pure werewolf novel, this probably isn't the one I'd recommend.… (meer)