Imagine a world where your favorite book comes to life, where you get to experience the adventures of your favorite characters in flesh and blood. That’s what happens in Jonathan Edward Durham’s “Winterset Hollow.” Three friends, Eamon, Caroline, and Mark, go on a trip to Addington Isle, the setting of their favorite book, to live out their lifelong dream. But things quickly take a turn for the worse when they reach the Isle. The old, abandoned mansion that was the inspiration behind their favorite book turns out to be inhabited by the very characters they have loved their whole lives – Runny, the rabbit; Finn, the fox; Flackwell, the frog; and Bing, the bear.
The story is a mixture of “Alice in Wonderland” and “Cabin in the Woods.” The main characters achieve the dream of a lifetime, but they soon realize that these characters are not the sweet, innocent ones portrayed in the book. The animals are seeking revenge on the humans, who are referred to as “buffalo” in Addington’s book, that caused them and their families unspeakable suffering. The humans are part of a hunt on Barley Day, and Eamon, Caroline, Mark and the other tourists are the prey.
Eamon’s quest to understand why the animals are intent on killing him and the others is what makes the story so endearing. The predators are not written off as evil, savage animals, and we learn that they have suffered enslavement, captivity, and the brutal slaughter of their families. The revenge they seek on human visitors to Addington Isle mirrors the suffering they felt over a century earlier.
“Winterset Hollow” is a beautifully gruesome tale that reminds us that perhaps it is best if our favorite fictional worlds remain fictional. The book carries stark reminders of how human society has wreaked unspeakable pain on animal populations and habitats throughout history and around the world. It is a reminder of the forced migrations of Native Americans to reservations and how that pain is still felt in Native American communities today.
If you’re a fan of horror and suspense (and not faint of heart), then this captivating tale is sure to find a home on your favorite bookshelf. It’s a thrilling read that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster, and its messages will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.
The Book Report 