Folk Rock/Folk Horror

 Wylding Hall by Elizabeth Hand

Elizabeth_Hand_Finncon2007.jpg: Mikko Aarnio, mikko.aarnio@iki.fiderivative work: – Tintazul talk, CC BY-SA 3.0  via Wikimedia Commons

Haunted House by Derek Harper CC BY SA 2.0

The idea of folk rock and a kind of folk horror book was incredibly appealing to me. I loved that this book dealt with a kind of urban legend surrounding the mysterious disappearance of the lead singer/guitarist for a British folk rock band from the 1960s. It was also a book that was repeatedly recommended and kept popping up in lists. I generally enjoyed the book, and loved that it was told through a kind of documentary, behind the band narrative with the key members of the band Windhollow Faire recounting their memories leading up to the recording of their next album. Hand expertly explores some of the tensions and resentments among the band, while also exploring the mysterious appearance a girl who shows up right before lead guitarist/singer Julian Blake’s disappearance. In addition to these tensions and band dynamics, the atmosphere of the English countryside and the old estate of Wylding Hall at to the mysterious atmosphere. I really enjoyed these aspects, and I think that Hand leaves a lot to ponder about how and why Julian disappears. Julian is an interesting character as well, and someone who we only learn about through other’s perspectives, memories, and projections. We never hear from him, and can really only draw our conclusions from what others reveal and share about their experiences with him. However, he does remind me of one of those haunted and tragic rock/folk starts, kind of like a Brian Jones, Kurt Cobain, Nick Drake, or possibly even Robert Johnson. There’s something about him that suggests he never fully reached his potential and had so much more to give, yet somehow maybe made some kind of exchange for his success. The death of another band member as well as the mysterious woman who appears and the oddities of Wylding Hall and the English countryside all add to the kind of speculation and conclusions we can draw about Julian’s disappearance. At times, the book slows down a bit, but overall this was a creative and creepy read oozing with atmosphere and mystery.