Katie (Valancourt 20th Century Classics)

by Michael McDowell

"A great read-evocative of another era, engrossing from the first page, chilling." - Publishers Weekly

"McDowell must now be regarded as the finest writer of paperback originals in America." - Stephen King

"Michael McDowell has a flair for the gruesome . . . the nurturing of utmost horror." - Washington Post

"You need a strong stomach . . . filled with gore and horror. At the same time, he writes so well that...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1941147682
• ISBN13: 9781941147689
• Release Date: August 2023
• Publisher: Valancourt Books
• Length: 278 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

An odd sort of fairytale

Although Katie is not my favorite McDowell book (still Blackwater, for now), it is quite a good read. It is a period piece and very interesting because of its detailed descriptions of life in 19th century America. Certainly, the death scenes are gory and frightening (Katie's, along with some of her victims comes to mind), but even more interesting is the character development. Philomela Drax is an intriguing heroine specifically because of her humanity. While she is upset that the Slapes have killed her grandfather, it is more a practical upset than an emotional one. While it might be romantic to assume that she should be terribly concerned with his loss, the reality is that she had no deep emotional connection with the man. The reader identifies with her need of the money, althought they might be ashamed to admit this fact. Katie and the Slapes are likewise intriguing. One must wonder whether the name "Slape" is an homage to Faulkner's "Snopes", for they share a basic animal motivation for what they do. The mystery of Katie's evil remains just that - a mystery. It leaves the reader both satisfied and oddly conflicted. You know that you should be completely repulsed by her, and yet you find that you cannot resist a slight pang of empathy for one that can feel nothing beyond the most base of sensations: hunger, pleasure, pain.

One of my favorite McDowell's!

Katie is the most gruesome of all Michael McDowell's books, yet it is one of my favorites. Philo is a true heroine, Katie is unbelievably evil, and then who hasn't known a person who resembles Jewel? The Slapes will leave you dumbfounded at their callousness, and you will find yourself cheering every time Philo overcomes some other obstacle in her path. This book is a really fast read, totally absorbing. Get ready for some gore, though.

A marvel of plot and characters, one of McDowell's best

Closer to the great gothic tradition and to Charles Dickens, this is a real jewel of plotting (as all of McDowell's novels were, either by pseudonym - Nathan Aldyne and Axel Young- or under his own name)about two nemeses who are bound to face off in late nineteenth-century New York.Meet Katie Slape and Philo(mela)Drax. Both were born poor and were destined to come unto money, though one was to inherit, the other to steal it. Katie is what you would call a monster. Pretty to look out, but you wouldn't want her to look into you. On the other hand, Philo is a heroine in the old-fashioned sense of the word, browbeaten, put-upon and constantly humiliated, yet always optimistic and resourceful, not to mention lovable, she is acharacter one roots for from the start.Gruesome in some details, yes, "Katie" is also an engrossing read, evocative, well-researched and written, composed with a sense of [very dark] humor and a prodigious sense of wonder, this is a novel to be sought, found, and treasured forever.An unsung classic by an obscure yet marvelous writer.

Good story, good gore!

This is one of McDowell's most brutal books. It's a nice Cinderella-type story with an unrivaled evil stepsister. I like the ending- gory but ultimately a happy one.