Starve Acre

Andrew Michael Hurley

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Who Would Like This Book:

If you love atmospheric, unsettling folk horror with a literary touch, "Starve Acre" should be on your list. Andrew Michael Hurley weaves English countryside folklore and raw grief into a creepy, slow-burning narrative that keeps you guessing. The sense of place is vivid, the prose beautiful, and the final moments leave you with a shiver. Fans of psychological horror, rural legends, and thoughtful explorations of loss and isolation will find a lot to love here.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Some readers felt the characters leaned on stereotypes and the pacing was too slow, with not enough action or clarity around the supernatural elements. If you prefer straightforward horror, lots of answers, or want a heart-racing plot rather than atmosphere and ambiguity, this may not be your cup of tea. The grief-driven plot and ambiguous ending also didn’t sit well with everyone.

A bleak, haunting folk horror that’s heavy on atmosphere and emotion - perfect for lovers of quiet, psychological chills, but possibly too slow or ambiguous for others.

About:

Starve Acre by Andrew Michael Hurley follows Richard and Juliette Willoughby as they grapple with the grief of losing their young son, Ewan. Moving to an inherited home in the Moors, they encounter an insular and superstitious community while dealing with their own sorrow and the supernatural events surrounding their property. The narrative weaves between past and present, slowly revealing the eerie secrets of Starve Acre and the mysterious forces at play, culminating in a shocking conclusion that leaves readers haunted.

Characters:

The characters are complex and nuanced, dealing with their grief in conflicting ways; Richard's skepticism clashes with Juliette's belief in the mystical.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is lush and atmospheric, with vivid descriptions that evoke a sense of dread, blending literary elegance with the unsettling nature of folk horror.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around a grieving couple confronting their loss, intertwined with elements of folklore and supernatural suspense as they explore the eerie history of their home and land.

Setting:

Set in the isolated rural English countryside, the setting enhances the ominous tone and reflects the characters' internal struggles.

Pacing:

The pacing is slow and deliberate, allowing for gradual tension buildup, though some readers find parts of it uneven and abrupt near the conclusion.

Notes:

The story follows Richard and Juliette Willoughby as they cope with the grief of losing their son Ewan.

Richard works on excavating land at Starve Acre, hoping for peace, while Juliette clings to mystical beliefs.

Juliette becomes increasingly isolated, sleeping on her son's old mattress, surrounded by his belongings.

The novel explores themes of grief and how it impacts their relationship and mental state.

Set in a rural English countryside, Starve Acre incorporates elements of folk horror and local legends.

The plot reveals the mysterious circumstances surrounding the child’s death and their strange reactions.

The story gradually shifts from grief to the supernatural, keeping readers in suspense.

The book is characterized by beautiful prose and evocative descriptions of the landscape.

Andrew Michael Hurley is known for crafting unsettling atmospheres in his writing, similar to folklore.

Readers have noted the book's slow burn and the haunting final sentence, leaving a lasting impression.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains themes of child death, grief, mental illness, and elements that may be distressing regarding parental loss.

From The Publisher:

The worst thing possible has happened. Richard and Juliette Willoughby's son, Ewan, has died suddenly at the age of five. Starve Acre, their house by the moors, was to be full of life, but is now a haunted place.

Juliette, convinced Ewan still lives there in some form, seeks the help of the Beacons, a seemingly benevolent group of occultists. Richard, to try and keep the boy out of his mind, has turned his attention to the field opposite the house, where he patiently digs the barren dirt in search of a legendary oak tree.

Starve Acre is a devastating new novel by the author of the prize-winning bestseller The Loney. It is a novel about the way in which grief splits the world in two and how, in searching for hope, we can so easily unearth horror.

Ratings (9)

Incredible (2)
Loved It (3)
Liked It (3)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (31):

Read It (9)
Want To Read (21)
Not Interested (1)

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