The Croning

Laird Barron

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The Croning by Laird Barron is a chilling horror novel that follows Donald Miller, an elderly man experiencing signs of dementia and uncovering sinister secrets about his wife and her family. As Donald delves deeper into the mysteries surrounding his wife Michelle and her ancestral roots, he discovers disturbing truths that challenge his sanity. The story is a blend of modern storytelling and Lovecraftian cosmic horror, expertly crafted by Barron to create an atmospheric and suspenseful narrative that keeps readers on edge.

Barron's writing style in The Croning is described as beautifully descriptive and captivating, with a focus on intricate details and character relationships. The novel weaves together elements of family life, occultism, and psychological horror, creating a complex and engaging tale that explores themes of memory, evil, and the unknown. Through skillful storytelling and evocative descriptions, Barron immerses readers in a world where dark secrets and ancient cults lurk just beneath the surface of everyday life.

Characters:

The characters are intricately developed, with Donald's struggles against dementia and his complex relationship with his wife revealing deeper layers of intrigue and horror.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is characterized by elegant prose and detailed descriptions that evoke a strong sense of atmosphere, though it can also be dense and occasionally convoluted.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative is a complex and nonlinear exploration of themes of cosmic horror and personal relationships, particularly focusing on the protagonist's fragmented memories and the secrets of his wife.

Setting:

The setting combines familiar locales in Washington with elements of dark fantasy, creating an atmospheric backdrop for the unfolding horror.

Pacing:

The pacing fluctuates throughout the book; while it starts engagingly, it often meanders due to extensive character exploration before picking up again toward the conclusion.

The Spy who was the son of the Miller embarked upon a perilous mission into the Western Mountains. The cart tracks and game trails he followed were tortuous, wending through darksome forests full of r...

Notes:

The Croning is a novel by Laird Barron that blends cosmic horror with psychological elements.

The story is told from the perspective of Don Miller, who experiences memory issues as he ages.

It explores the themes of aging, memory, and the uncanny nature of reality.

The narrative contains a retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale, linking family secrets to darker truths.

Readers mention that the prose can feel dense and the structure nonlinear, leading to a slow build in tension.

Many find the atmosphere unsettling, contributing to the overall sense of dread throughout the novel.

The book is tied into Barron's broader mythos, including the entity known as Old Leech.

It has been noted that the book's horror elements are more subdued, focusing instead on character exploration and relationships.

Several readers found the pacing uneven, with flashbacks sometimes feeling extraneous to the main plot.

The Croning incorporates elements of Wiccan rituals, specifically a rite called 'Croning', though the specifics are often vague in the text.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for The Croning include themes of cosmic horror, psychological distress, memory loss, and unsettling family secrets.

From The Publisher:

Strange things exist on the periphery of our existence, haunting us from the darkness looming beyond our firelight. Black magic, weird cults and worse things loom in the shadows. The Children of Old Leech have been with us from time immemorial. And they love us...

Donald Miller, geologist and academic, has walked along the edge of a chasm for most of his nearly eighty years, leading a charmed life between endearing absent-mindedness and sanity-shattering realization. Now, all things must converge. Donald will discover the dark secrets along the edges, unearthing savage truths about his wife Michelle, their adult twins, and all he knows and trusts. For Donald is about to stumble on the secret...

...of The Croning.

From Laird Barron, Shirley Jackson Award-winning author of The Imago Sequence and Occultation, comes The Croning, a debut novel of cosmic horror.

Skyhorse Publishing, under our Night Shade and Talos imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of titles for readers interested in science fiction (space opera, time travel, hard SF, alien invasion, near-future dystopia), fantasy (grimdark, sword and sorcery, contemporary urban fantasy, steampunk, alternative history), and horror (zombies, vampires, and the occult and supernatural), and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller, a national bestseller, or a Hugo or Nebula award-winner, we are committed to publishing quality books from a diverse group of authors.

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About the Author:

Laird Barron is the author of two collections: The Imago Sequence and Occultation. His work has appeared in many magazines and anthologies. An expatriate Alaskan, Barron currently resides in the wilds of Upstate New York.

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