Review: The Fisherman by John Langan

Review of the book “The Fisherman” by John Langan.

“The Fisherman” is a horror novel written by John Langan, published in 2016. The story follows two fishermen, Dave and Mike, who seek to escape their sad lives and the terrible tragedies they have suffered over the years. But when the two men decide to sail together down the Hudson River in search of a legendary fishing spot, they find themselves trapped in a deadly nightmare.

The Fisherman, by John Langan, is a horror novel that plunges us into a nightmare of cosmic proportions. The author tells the story of Abe and Dan, two friends who share a love of fishing and the pain of losing their wives. One day, they decide to venture to a remote and mysterious place, the Holandés stream, where an entity known as the Fisherman is said to live, capable of granting wishes in exchange for a terrible price.

What begins as a weekend getaway turns into an odyssey of horror and madness, in which Abe and Dan will face the darkest secrets in history, the oldest and most evil forces in the universe, and their own ghosts. From the past. The Fisherman is a novel that combines classic horror with cosmic horror, creating an oppressive and enveloping atmosphere that captivates the reader from the first page.

John Langan demonstrates great mastery of language and narrative structure, alternating different voices and tempos, and interspersing stories within stories that enrich the story and give it depth. The author also manages to create believable and complex characters, with whom the reader can empathize and suffer his vicissitudes. The Fisherman is a novel that not only scares, but also excites and moves.

The Fisherman is an essential work for horror lovers, which will not leave anyone indifferent. A novel that explores the limits of horror, the nature of evil and the power of love. A novel that reminds us that there are things worse than death and that there are wishes that are better not to fulfill.

The novel is written in a two-voice narration style, alternating between Dave and Mike’s perspectives. This narrative structure allows the reader to see events from two different points of view, which increases the sense of tension and suspense as the story progresses.

The story is imbued with a sense of impending danger, even before the characters realize they are in danger. Langan creates an ominous and claustrophobic setting, using nature as a malevolent force that stalks the characters and constantly threatens them.

The novel also features elements of folklore and mythology, adding an additional layer of complexity to the plot. The monsters and spirits of folklore seem to lurk in the shadows, ready to attack at any moment.

Langan’s writing is exceptionally good, with poetic, evocative prose that creates vivid images in the reader’s mind. The author uses detailed descriptions to create a sense of unease and mystery, but he also knows when to leave things to the reader’s imagination to increase the suspense.

“The Fisherman” is an exceptionally well-written horror novel, combining elements of psychological suspense with folklore and mythology to create a story that is both emotionally harrowing and terrifying. With its unique narrative structure and poetic prose, this novel is a must-read for any fan of the horror genre.