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Preceded by: The Talisman. Black House is a horror novel by American writers Stephen King and Peter Straub. Published in 2001, it is the sequel to The Talisman. This is one of King's numerous novels that tie in with the Dark Tower series. Black House was nominated to the Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel. The novel is set in Straub's homeland of Wisconsin, rather than in King's frequently used backdrop of Maine. The town of "French Landing" is a fictionalized version of the town of Trempealeau, Wisconsin. Also, "Centralia" is named after the nearby small town of Centerville, Wisconsin, located at the intersection of Hwy 93 and Hwy 35.
Retired police detective Jack Sawyer is pulled back into a world of supernatural terror when a series of gruesome child murders plagues the town of French Landing, Wisconsin. Jack must confront his suppressed memories of the parallel dimension known as the Territories to stop a killer who serves a malevolent, cosmic entity. As he navigates the mundane reality of the small town and the shifting, nightmarish landscape of the other side, he faces opposition from both human depravity and ancient, otherworldly forces. The narrative employs a distinct, omniscient voice that frequently addresses the reader, weaving together the procedural investigation with high-stakes dark fantasy elements.
Black House is widely recognized as a significant expansion of the Dark Tower mythos, blending the distinct stylistic sensibilities of its two authors. Critics and readers often highlight the shift in tone from the adventure-focused predecessor to a darker, more mature exploration of horror. The novel's nomination for the Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel reflects its impact within the genre community. Many readers appreciate the intricate world-building and the way the authors successfully bridge the gap between small-town realism and epic fantasy. The reception remains largely positive among fans of both writers, who value the complex interplay between the mundane and the monstrous.
Page Count:
0
Publication Date:
2001-09-15
Publisher:
Harper Collins
ISBN-10:
0007134762
ISBN-13:
9780007134762
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