All Heads Turn When the Hunt Goes By

This here's perhaps one of the best horror novels I've ever read. Great characters and complex plot, from it's startling beginning to the satisfying climax, it's a page turner that could make a perfect HBO mini series. Included in the 100 Best Horror Novels by Stephen Jones. Highly Recommended.

Farris' book of voodoo sorcery is an intricately weaved work of plot and subplot. Ostensibly about the cursed lineage of the Bradwins, this book takes you from the plantations of Virginia to the countryside of England to the colonial age jungles of the heart of Africa (places Joe Conrad would not have even stepped foot in). This range of settings, times, and characters, apparently disconnected yet insidiously linked by dark, ancient forces, gives this book an almost Lovecraftian feeling. It is as if these forces can and are affecting each and every individual on this planet, yet we are naively and mercifully unaware of these unseen powers. That is, until those powers wish to make themselves known. This virtual omnipresence is illustrated in one scene where the character of Early Boy is talking to the self confessed voodoo priest. The old man tells Early Boy that voodoo is not primitive superstition or nonsensical sorcery but a sophisticated and very ancient religion predating and even the basis of modern religions. He says that Moses himself learned magic from powerful voodoo masters in the African jungles and therefore pretty much all of Christianity and Judaism is based on voodoo.Instead of giving us a simple "voodoo men raise demons and other boogeymen with curses" type plot, which is straight out of a B movie, Farris structures the story so that it is believable, frightening, sophisticated, and chilling in its insinuations. Nor is this the type of story that has a predictable plot. You never guess the horror of the first few pages and you will never see the ending coming. Farris also never fails to give us great action throughout the story. A character jumping out of a window sending shards of glass flying is just the norm in this story. And they do get cut. "What do you think this is, a western?" as Early Boy says. Farris not only gives us a masterfully woven plot, he also delievers great action, and a pretty good scary story.

I read this book many years ago. After many years I searched for and found another copy of it. Now I lend it out to only my most trusted reading friends. I found this to be one of the most fascinating books I have ever read. The opening chapter - in the chapel - is so astounding, so riveting, that I was fairly gasping when the scene ended. This book takes the reader on a journey where s/he must suspend all the rules of reality. I loved it. I will read it again. I think John Farris is one of the BEST writers of this genre, along with Peter Straub and Stephen King!

I remember this book as a very good book. The story went back and forth from Africa to Europe to other countries. I remember the action going on while other looked on..."as the hunt went by." I read it when it first came out...years ago. Since I cannot find it on the internet, maybe I should try the author. I do have a habit of trying to forget very good books so that when I read it again, years later, I am surprised at some of the particulars. Sounds crazy? Yeah, nuts.