Unraveling Fears: A Review of "Fears Unnamed"
Rarely has a new author captured me as quickly as Tim Lebbon. An award-winning British author, Lebbon is quickly becoming a U.S. favorite as well, and "Fears Unnamed" is a marvelous introduction to his work.
Consisting of four novellas, "Fears Unnamed" is an adventure in creativity and creepiness. What's captivating about this collection is the breadth of its scope. From sprawling post-apocalyptic scenarios to the most intimate, personal horror, Lebbon captures the essence of fear.
For fans of the post-apocalyptic genre, there are two such stories in this collection. There's "White", with its claustrophobic landscape which breathlessly follows an isolated group of survivors, and there's, "Naming of Parts," whose unlikely protagonist guides the reader through a terrifying new world.
One of the most charming things about "White" is the simplicity of the voice. It has an authenticity to it. The protagonist of this particular piece doesn't sensationalize anything. There's emotion without melodrama, even as events escalate from the finding of a body at the story's inception, and the reader finds themselves swept along throughout. Lebbon also uses weather throughout the piece to lend it a moody, surreal feel which is deliciously creepy.
Though "Naming of Parts" isn't the most original story of the lot with its "Dawn of the Dead" like feel, it's still a satisfying read all in all. The story follows a family -- mother, father, son -- as they try to escape the horror of a world changed overnight. And yet this was somehow a very personal story, too, peppered heavily with pertinent and emotionally satisfying backstory. And perhaps it's because the protagonist in "Naming of Parts" is a child, but the story read with a sense of wonder in addition to the increasing disquiet. Again, in this story, the narrative flowed flawlessly, the pacing excellent.
For those who like horror of a more personal nature, there are two enchanting stories as well, "Remnants" and "The Unfortunate".
"Remnants" carves a mesmerizing, if surreal path through the pages, following two friends into a place that no human eyes should see. When Pete receives a plea from his old buddy Scott to come see what he's found on his latest dig, Pete cannot resist. What happens from there is an exercise of hallucinatory quality. What's charming about this story is the relationship between Pete and Scott, which is fleshed out beautifully throughout the story. Though this story is at times over the top, Lebbon makes it easy for the reader to follow into his twisted maze.
Then there's "The Unfortunate," arguably the creepiest story in the collection, the story of one of the "lucky ones". One of the more original premises in horror fiction, "The Unfortunate" tells the story of Adam, who is told by angels (or demons or pixies or Gods -- he's never quite sure) that he is one of the lucky ones. But from Adam's point of view, that hardly seems to be the truth. Adam's plight is compelling and terrifying, and in this story too, what drives the narrative is a unique plot and a character that a reader can really care about.
To give away any more of the plot in any of these stories would be a disservice to the reader, for the unraveling of their plots is best done by Lebbon himself.
Lebbon has an easy style which flows well and moves quickly, rarely (if ever) getting bogged down in unnecessary wordiness. "Fears Unnamed" isn't going to win any prize for flair of language or metaphor or having deep, hidden meaning, and that's okay. These stories are meant to entertain, and entertain they do.
Lebbon's characters are charming and three-dimensional and quirky. Each one is distinct and compelling in his own way. These aren't the most memorable characters you'll ever read about, but they're sympathetic and able to carry their own respective stories.
Overall, the book is a quick read, and part of the charm in a collection like this is that each story can be read in a sitting. It's a good thing, because the stories are captivating enough that you won't want to put them down.
Fair warning though. For those who like neat endings where everything is wrapped up, this isn't the book for you. Also, horror fan with a penchant for violence and gore will be more satisfied looking elsewhere. Though Lebbon doesn't shy away from being graphic at times, he uses this tactic sparingly.
For all other horror fans, particularly fans of the post-apocalyptic genre, this is a must-read.
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