Review: Baxter by Ken Greenhall

Review of the book «Baxter» by Ken Greenhall.

Baxter is a psychological horror novel by American writer Ken Greenhall, first published in 1977. The work tells the story of a bull terrier named Baxter, who through his first-person narration, leads us to explore human nature and violence in society.

Baxter is a horror novel published in 1977 by the American writer Ken Greenhall, which has recently been recovered by the publishing house La Biblioteca de Carfax in a carefully edited Spanish edition with an introduction by Grady Hendrix, author of Paperbacks From Hell. It is an original and disturbing work that offers us the perspective of a sociopathic bull terrier who seeks a master to suit him and who does not hesitate to kill whoever gets in his way.

The novel is narrated in the first person by Baxter himself, who reveals his thoughts, feelings and motivations throughout his life. Baxter is not an ordinary dog: he has an above-average intelligence, an insatiable curiosity and an absolute contempt for humans, whom he considers inferior and manipulable. Baxter only respects those who show him authority and firmness, and who share his vision of the world as a hostile and cruel place where only the strongest survive.

Through Baxter’s eyes, we get to know the different characters who are part of his environment: his owners, his neighbors, his victims… They all show us the mediocrity, hypocrisy and violence that hides behind the apparent normality of a city suburb. Baxter has no qualms about judging them and intervening in their lives when it suits him or when they bother him. Thus, we witness chilling scenes where the dog acts with implacable coldness and cruelty.

Ken Greenhall manages to create an oppressive and distressing atmosphere with a precise and elegant prose, which does not fall into sensationalism or gore. The author makes us reflect on human and animal nature, on good and evil, on love and hate. Baxter is a novel that leaves no one indifferent, that makes us feel discomfort and fascination at the same time. A jewel of psychological terror that deserves to be discovered by lovers of the genre.

From the beginning, the novel is shocking and disturbing, as the narrator, Baxter, takes us through his thoughts and actions, which include the detailed description of his hunting and killing of small animals and birds. However, as the story progresses, we realise that Baxter is not simply a violent dog, but that his actions are influenced by his owner, a lonely and bitter man named Charles. Charles not only tolerates Baxter’s violence, but encourages and justifies it, leading to increasingly extreme and dangerous situations.

Greenhall’s prose is elegant and subtle, which makes the novel all the more disturbing. The author uses the dog’s perspective to comment on human nature and how our actions can be influenced by our prejudices and negative emotions. The theme of loneliness and isolation is also explored, and how these factors can lead to destructive behavior.

“Baxter” is a short but intense novel that, despite being narrated by a dog, manages to delve into human psychology and explore deep and dark themes. The work is very well written and is an example of the power of psychological terror and subtlety in the construction of characters. The novel is a classic of the genre and has been compared to the work of Stephen King and James Herbert.

In short, “Baxter” is a short but impactful novel, which uses a dog’s perspective to explore human nature and violence in society. Greenhall’s prose is elegant and subtle, which makes the novel all the more disturbing. The novel is a classic of the psychological horror genre and is highly recommended for those who enjoy stories that delve into human psychology and explore deep, dark themes.