“Old-school horror.” ―STEPHEN KINGThe Exorcist meets Lord of the Flies in Boys in the Valley, a brilliant coming-of-age tale from award-winning author Philip Fracassi.An Esquire Best Horror Book of 2023! • A British Fantasy Award finalist for Best Horror Novel!“A sublimely chilling story.” —Library Journal, STARRED reviewSt. Vincent's Orphanage for Boys.Early twentieth century, in a remote valley in Pennsylvania.Here, under the watchful eyes of several priests, thirty boys work, learn, and worship. Peter Barlow, orphaned as a child by a gruesome murder, has made a new life here. As he approaches adulthood, he has friends, a future...a family.Then, late one stormy night, a group of men arrive at their door, one of whom is badly wounded, occult symbols carved into his flesh. His death releases an ancient evil that spreads like sickness, infecting St. Vincent's and the children within. Soon, boys begin acting differently, forming groups. Taking sides.Others turn up dead.Now Peter and those dear to him must choose sides of their own, each of them knowing their lives — and perhaps their eternal souls — are at risk.
I'd seen this EVERYWHERE when I was lucky enough to be sent an advance copy. The author was pleasant on social media, and I was looking forward to diving in. Even though I'd seen it compared to everything from 'The Exorcist' to 'Lord of the Flies', with effusive praise all over the place, I approached it as I always try to do - as a book in itself. A unique story.
Boy, is it that!
The tale starts gently... before quickly swerving. This isn't a nice, happy school that we're watching; it's a cold, winter religious school for unwanted boys, with priest/teachers ranging from good and decent to downright awful.
We meet the boys, learn their friendships and worries, see them work together against the adult world.
And then... it's all tipped on its head.
A difficult, isolated and lonely school is suddenly home to a very real demonic presence, with a group of men struggling in from the snowy woods nearby. Not quite 'The Thing', but that was in my mind. We quickly move into the part that others had noted as 'Exorcist'-like, but that's over relatively quickly.
Quietness resumes, if rather shaken. But of course, it's not.
This book takes its time introducing the characters and setting, because we're going to be trapped with them for the duration. The evil that arrives is truly monstrous, and the fact that this is a religious school (albeit with varying degrees of 'godly' perspectives) makes it somehow even worse as we watch everything fall.
This is horror. The real human world versus what seems almost inevitable downfall. Before I knew it, I found myself going from passive observer/reader to actively rooting for the boys to come through intact - which of course, they won't. Edge of seat stuff.
If it reminded me of anything, it was the graphic novels of John Constantine. Constant hope in the face of imminent supernatural, unknowable doom. We have to hope and battle, or what chance do we have?
Very much a heart-pounding read, and worthy of its recommendations.