The Uncanny

By Andrew Klavan

Book Overview

Andrew Klavan reinvents the classic ghost story with this literary X-Files, a breathtaking blend of Hollywood-style excitement and literary tour de force. Richard Storm is a Hollywood producer who has reached the top of his profession making horror movies based on classic English ghost stories. Now, with his life beginning to unravel, he flees to England on a desperate quest: to find evidence that the great old stories bear an element of truth, that the human spirit lives on after death, that in this all-too-material world there still may be reason to have faith. But his search uncovers more than he bargained for: Sophia Endering, a mysterious damsel in distress who may just be the last love of Storm's life; Harper Albright, an eccentric pipe-smoking old woman whose researches into the paranormal mask an obsessive hunt for a malevolent killer; and the man known as Saint Iago, a seemingly immortal villain who makes a night with a vampire look like a walk in the park. Richard Storm's nightmares are about to step down off the screen into real life. And Storm is about to begin a journey through his deepest passions and his darkest fears, to a romance that could last forever, and a secret a thousand years old-down a trail formed by the classic ghost stories themselves-into the very heart of the uncanny.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0609601121
• ISBN13: 9780609601129
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Crown
• Length: 343 Pages
• Weight: 1.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.0" x 1.5" x 6.5"

Customer Reviews

unique and original...

The Uncanny is a unique and original mystery/suspense novel. I was pretty much in awe of the characters throughout the whole book. Andrew Klavan gave them such depth and complexity. Every one of them had a distinct personality full of little idiosyncrasies. The story itself is exciting, full of twists and turns. The plot has so many different elements, but they are interwoven together so nicely that it never feels excessive. I can't say enough about the writing in The Uncanny. When I was reading, it almost seemed like I was watching a movie of what I was reading. Klavan really knows how to draw the reader into the story. With it's lush atmosphere, foggy gloom and seeming constant drizzle this modern day tale seemed itself out of an old English ghost story. The mood is set perfectly. The ending wasn't really what I was hoping for but I can handle that. I'll still say this is a fantastic book that I highly recommend!

I loved it!

I've read the other reviews here. If a book is called " The Uncanny" I guarantee it's of the horror genre. Why everyone expected a "True Crime-ish" novel is beyond me. Richard Storm, a horror movie producer,leaves Hollywood on a quest to London to see if any of the old ghost stories bare any truth. Is there really life after death? When Richard falls in love with Sophia Endering,an art dealer, he finds more then he was looking for. It's a rollercoaster ride through nazi art theft, ghost stories and "The Devil himself". To much said will give away the surprising twists in the story. This was a great horror novel!

An intellegent,well crafted, journey.

as an avid and discerning reader I have to rank this as a far cut above . Well paced and smart in plot, I was held firmly in tow to the end. The book , it's characters, came alive before me. As with any GOOD book it's major flaw was in leaving me wanting more. Mr. Klavan please disregard any other areas of interest and and correct this problem.

An edge of your seat horror story.

It's been quite some time since I have had a good scary read---but I definitely got what I had been missing in this book. Had to finish it in one sitting. I'm hoping the author reads these reviews. I want a sequel! Hey-Hollywood---how about a movie!

A DELICIOUS FEAST FOR THE MIND

It's been a long time since I delved into a novel where all my senses are satisfied. I felt like I was there in England, witnessing all the drama, the horror and the endless discoveries.I never realized I had a fetish for a good ol' fashion creepy on the moors, ruined abbey, moon illuminating story, but after reading THE UNCANNY I can't wait for the next installment! Andy, are you listening? Can we get a sequel. I know you can pull it off!This is my first Klavan book. I went out and bought two previous releases I enjoyed this book so much.