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Starve Acre

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Starve Acre

By: Andrew Michael Hurley
Narrated by: Richard Burnip
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About this listen


'An impeccable work of folk horror' Irish Times

The worst thing possible has happened. Richard and Juliette Willoughby's son, Ewan, has died suddenly at the age of five. Convinced that the boy still lives on in some form, and desparate to make contact, Juliette seeks the help of the Beacons, a seemingly benevolent group of occultists. Whereas Ricahrd, an art historian, tries to blot out the pain of his grief by turning his attention to the field opposite their house, Starve Acre. Patiently he digs in the barren soil looking for the roots of a legendary oak tree but unearths something which ought to have remained buried.

'I will confidently predict that no reader will guess where it's heading . . . Hurley's ability to create a wold that's like ours in many ways and really not in many others is again on full display' The Times

©2019 Andrew Michael Hurley (P)2019 Hodder & Stoughton Limited Fantasy Genre Fiction Horror Literary Fiction Scary

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All stars
Most relevant
nice bit of folk horror, pregnant with meaning, definitely worth a listen on a stormy night

macabre

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this novel has serious issues with pacing - it was really slow and very little happened for the first 5 hours, and then just as things started heating up & I was getting hooked, it ended! the ending doesn't feel like ending - more like the teaser for a sequel. it just feels like the author couldn't be bothered to develop the ending and wrap things up properly, so it's up to us to figure out how things will turn out.

underwhelming

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Just stunningly written and such a powerful story. Propelled with a horrible inevitability. Didn't want it to end.

Incredible

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Having just seen the film version of Starve Acre I was drawn to the book. The film has changed the plot so it was great to listen to the original source. well told, and lots of imagery and psychology of both grief and folk lore to chew on. A great listen well read.

Folk horror

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I cannot say I enjoyed this book. The story is grim and bleak and I came away feeling grim and bleak. Beautifully written, the author evokes the wild and remote countryside on the edge of the Yorkshire Moors but there is no joy whatsoever in this book. Just anxiety and grief and finally some horror. It may have worked better if you read this as a novel, as it would not immerse you in this cold grey wotld quite as much as when you are listening to it, but I really cannot recommend it as an audible book.

A pretty grim affair

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Stories about events with no solving always get my attention.. What an interesting book, but i felt it ended on a cliff hanger.. Would love to know more about the mediums and such

Modern gothic

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If you like creepy tales and grim landscapes, this is for you. I loved it.

Excellent.

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I loved this book. Loved it. But I got really confused when I saw the was only 12 minutes left of the book. Then it just... Finished. It felt like mid paragraph, just so abrupt. So many questions! I'm hoping I'll find a sequel! This is why I've only given 3 stars. Brilliant plot but felt very unfinished.

I talk about the ending in this review FYI!

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This novel kept me guessing until the end. The characters were beautifully drawn. Just wonderful.

Fantastic and Original

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Not quite as good as his two previous books but still an excellent listen. The shorter length means less time for character development. It still manages the same sense of dread and lingering doom as previous Hurley books through his superb writing. I also feel that Burnip is the perfect narrator for these books he’s on fine form yet again here. Can’t wait for the next one

Another great book from Andrew Michael Hurley

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