BOOK REVIEW: THE HAAR - DAVID SODERGREN

It's just before 7am right now. We were meant to have loadshedding this morning, but nothing seems to have happened. I suppose it's a little something to be grateful for, although if I'm really honest - I sometimes enjoy loadshedding because it's a reason to switch off from the world guilt-free. Sometimes I feel obligated to be productive when the resources are available to be so.

Speaking of guilt, I haven't made much headway on my Splitting an Empire rewrites to hand to the editor. I should be doing that now, but like everyday for the last 3 weeks, motivation has evaded me. It's a mammoth task to fix what's already been written, it's somehow easier to move in the right direction when it's a blank page. 

So today instead of trying to fix Splitting an Empire, I'll start on this blank blog post and let it go where it wants to. I'll do something simple today; a book review.

In light of everything I revealed in my last blog post about the way influencers do reviews, I'm going to take my own advice here. I'm going to review this book objectively, avoid unhelpful personal sentiments, and try match this book to the right kind of reader. 

Title: The Haar

Author: David Sodergren

Genre: Horror

Subgenres: Creature Feature, Body Horror

Pages: +-200

Plot summary: An elderly lady happens across a mysterious creature on the beach and takes it home. The creature has no name, no origin, no singular body shape, and no end to its hunger for blood. 

My rating: 5/5

OVERVIEW

I've never felt compelled to do book reviews on my main feeds and platforms because I won't be a walking billboard for other publishers' books. Until now. I have to talk about this book. I have to share it. I can't live with having read this book alone. It's brilliant! 

 

This is probably one of the most unique horror books I've ever read.

I was in stitches the entire time. It's gross and gruesome, yes, but oh so funny! This author did the rare thing of being able to make their reader squirm in discomfort and enjoy it at the same time. This was an easy 5 stars.

PRO POINTS 

Easily, the most striking thing about this book for me was the writing style. It was eloquent and elaborate. Books these days - and I say this as an actual book publisher - have very literal, simplistic writing styles. There's greater focus on an interesting story than writing it in an artistic way. David Sodergren, in The Haar, has brought the art of words back. He focuses on sequencing the words in such a way that you get beautiful sentences. I haven't read eloquent, elaborate writing in a very long time.

I like the length of the book. Which might sound counterintuitive, because if I enjoyed it that much then surely I'd want it to go on for longer. But just enough of a good thing is perfection. This author knew exactly how to stop at the sweet spot. 

I loved the plot. It was a succinct 3 act structure story about a blood-hungry creature that keeps striking at just the right times to keep you hooked.

I loved the character development. In the quiet moments between the creature's kills, the relationship between the elderly lady and the creature was explored. I don't want to spoil this for anyone who hasn't read it yet. But weaved through the horror is a story about love and loneliness that makes you uncomfortable at times, and blissful at others.

And this book is hilarious. 

SHORTCOMINGS

Honestly, I have a hard time finding anything this book did not fulfill. It made me very squeamish... the descriptions of the kill scenes are very graphic and disconcerting. But not in a depraved torturous way. More in a vivid weird way. Like you wonder who's imagination thought of something like that, and have a good laugh about it. And I have to keep mentioning it - this book made me giggle the whole way through!

So I don't think this book has shortcomings, but I will say it's not for people who don't like body horror. 

TARGET AUDIENCE

This book will probably best be enjoyed by an adult audience over 27 or so. 

The writing is very reminiscent of the writers of old, who use words as a medium of its own to create an art piece that is separate from a good story. 

I think younger readers might find the writing a bit antiquated.

I know this book is a creature feature, but it's heavy on the body horror, so I think those readers will immensely enjoy this. 

CONCLUSION 

I only have great things to say about this book. This one is probably going to be one of my most memorable reads of all time. 

I enjoyed this blog post. I think I'll do more reviews, especially when I'm in a writing slump. I suppose I should get the day started now. Just in case loadshedding arrives unexpectedly! 

 

For more articles written by Keli H, the author, visit this blog's home page on keli-h.com

 

Keli H is the award winning author of the 400 series, which includes The Four Hundred Club and Splitting an Empire. The 400 series is high brow contemporary fiction revolving around the lives of wealthy circles. Keli's other works include Creating Literary Art. She is also the founder of The KREST House, a storytelling empire.