Hemlock Grove
by Brian McGreevy
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Description
A charismatic young writer reinvents the gothic novel, bringing a fresh energy to our darkest myths and deepest horrors in an expectation-defying tale of adolescent deception, ravenous violence, and rumors of werewolves.The body of a young girl is found mangled and murdered in the woods of Hemlock Grove, Pennsylvania, in the shadow of the abandoned Godfrey Steel Mill. A manhunt ensues—though the authorities aren't sure if it's a man they should be looking for.
Some suspect an escapee from show more the White Tower, a foreboding biotech facility owned by the Godfrey family, where some suspect that biological experiments of the most unethical kind take place. Others turn to Peter Rumancek, a Gypsy trailer-trash kid who has told impressionable high school classmates that he's a werewolf. Or perhaps it's Roman, the son of the late JR Godfrey, who rules the adolescent social scene with the casual arrogance of a cold-blooded aristocrat, his superior status unquestioned despite his decidedly freakish sister, Shelley, whose monstrous medical conditions belie a sweet intelligence, and his otherworldly, sexy control freak of a mother, Olivia. As the crime goes unsolved and the police seem more and more willing to believe any outlandish rumor, Peter and Roman decide the only way to save their own skins is to find the killer themselves. Along the way they uncover local secrets and designs that are much bigger than some small-town murder.
Hemlock Grove is an exhilarating reinvention of the gothic novel, inspired by the iconic characters of our greatest myths and nightmares. At once a riveting mystery and a fascinating revelation of the grotesque and darkness within, Hemlock Grove has the architecture and energy to become a classic in its own right—and Brian McGreevy, the talent and ambition to enthrall us for years to come.
. Fiction. Horror. show less
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Member Reviews
All right, let me get one thing out of the way: Yes, I read this book because of the Netflix series. I have a sick compulsion to read books that movies or television shows are based on so I can understand the source material and supposedly have a greater appreciation for the adaptation. Note the use of the word “supposedly.”
Now for a second disclosure: I have not finished watching the Netflix series yet. I'm about halfway through it at the time of this writing. While the Netflix show seems relatively faithful to the source material...well, that's not necessarily a good thing. I've delayed writing this review because I've had trouble figuring out a nice way to describe how much I disliked this book (for example, I was going to show more mention how this book is on par with Twilight but with homosexual undertones, but saying this book has undertones would be giving it too much credit for subtlety) . I wouldn't go so far as to simply rewrite Roger Ebert's infamous review of “North,” but this book is still pretty bad.
Hemlock Grove by Brian McGreevy primarily follows Peter Rumancek, a Gypsy teenager who has recently moved to the town of Hemlock Grove (and the novel's resident werewolf) and meets rich kid Roman Godfrey, who Peter identifies as an upir. While there's no direct explanation what an upir is until the end, it doesn't take much work to figure it out. After some gruesome murders of local teenage girls, the two decide that it's up to them to find out who is responsible. Why them and not the police? Because we wouldn't have much of a story then, would we?
This where things begin to fall apart and fast. These two teenagers are actually stupid enough to think that it's up to them to solve these murders. Aside from the supernatural element that they detect, why them? It doesn't help that these characters are never made out to be smart in any other respect. Roman is a pompous, self-centered rich kid and the only person he cares about other than himself is his sister, Shelley, who has her own mysteries, and his cousin Letha, to a lesser extent. Peter has some street smarts. Some. But he doesn't have much else other than his werewolf sense powers.
A big problem with this novel is that it doesn't take much work to figure anything out. The references to classic monsters of horror are numerous, and pretty much slap you in the face (Shelley is a blatant reference to Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein). While I am ragging on it, this is probably the most clever part of the book. The author also drenches the prose in symbolism. You can't get away from it, but it doesn't add anything to the book. It adds no mystery, and is nothing but a distraction without any real payoff. It becomes obvious very quickly who the killer is. As for other side stories, these don't provide much mystery or payoff, either.
Now, I've seen mysteries that aren't really mysteries before, and these tend to be used as character vehicles, so while we don't get attached to the story, we still want to follow the characters. But with Hemlock Grove, I didn't want to follow the characters, either. They're just so stupid and unlikable. Roman is a spoiled rich brat, Peter is rather two-dimensional, Olivia Godfrey is just a nasty control-freak, Letha is a ditz, and Dr. Pryce (guess who he's a reference to) is a creep. The most interesting and sympathetic character is Shelley, because she's the only one that shows any real character development. And she doesn't even talk.
Overall, Hemlock Grove is a bloody mess. While there are a couple of minor elements that could be called clever, the characters and story are so dumb and predictable that I would have to say this book should be skipped. Don't fall prey to my problem. You don't need (or should even want) to read the source material if you're only interested in the Netflix series. Move along, and avoid this one.
Hemlock Grove by Brian McGreevy earns 1 Ouroboros out of 5. show less
Now for a second disclosure: I have not finished watching the Netflix series yet. I'm about halfway through it at the time of this writing. While the Netflix show seems relatively faithful to the source material...well, that's not necessarily a good thing. I've delayed writing this review because I've had trouble figuring out a nice way to describe how much I disliked this book (for example, I was going to show more mention how this book is on par with Twilight but with homosexual undertones, but saying this book has undertones would be giving it too much credit for subtlety) . I wouldn't go so far as to simply rewrite Roger Ebert's infamous review of “North,” but this book is still pretty bad.
Hemlock Grove by Brian McGreevy primarily follows Peter Rumancek, a Gypsy teenager who has recently moved to the town of Hemlock Grove (and the novel's resident werewolf) and meets rich kid Roman Godfrey, who Peter identifies as an upir. While there's no direct explanation what an upir is until the end, it doesn't take much work to figure it out. After some gruesome murders of local teenage girls, the two decide that it's up to them to find out who is responsible. Why them and not the police? Because we wouldn't have much of a story then, would we?
This where things begin to fall apart and fast. These two teenagers are actually stupid enough to think that it's up to them to solve these murders. Aside from the supernatural element that they detect, why them? It doesn't help that these characters are never made out to be smart in any other respect. Roman is a pompous, self-centered rich kid and the only person he cares about other than himself is his sister, Shelley, who has her own mysteries, and his cousin Letha, to a lesser extent. Peter has some street smarts. Some. But he doesn't have much else other than his werewolf sense powers.
A big problem with this novel is that it doesn't take much work to figure anything out. The references to classic monsters of horror are numerous, and pretty much slap you in the face (Shelley is a blatant reference to Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein). While I am ragging on it, this is probably the most clever part of the book. The author also drenches the prose in symbolism. You can't get away from it, but it doesn't add anything to the book. It adds no mystery, and is nothing but a distraction without any real payoff. It becomes obvious very quickly who the killer is. As for other side stories, these don't provide much mystery or payoff, either.
Now, I've seen mysteries that aren't really mysteries before, and these tend to be used as character vehicles, so while we don't get attached to the story, we still want to follow the characters. But with Hemlock Grove, I didn't want to follow the characters, either. They're just so stupid and unlikable. Roman is a spoiled rich brat, Peter is rather two-dimensional, Olivia Godfrey is just a nasty control-freak, Letha is a ditz, and Dr. Pryce (guess who he's a reference to) is a creep. The most interesting and sympathetic character is Shelley, because she's the only one that shows any real character development. And she doesn't even talk.
Overall, Hemlock Grove is a bloody mess. While there are a couple of minor elements that could be called clever, the characters and story are so dumb and predictable that I would have to say this book should be skipped. Don't fall prey to my problem. You don't need (or should even want) to read the source material if you're only interested in the Netflix series. Move along, and avoid this one.
Hemlock Grove by Brian McGreevy earns 1 Ouroboros out of 5. show less
This is a story older than stories.
There are two possible reactions to this book, both perfectly understandable. You can either be repelled, discomforted, or shocked by the (what could be perceived as unnecessary) complexity of the language, by the sheer weirdness of both content and representation, by the questions raised that far outnumber the answers (a question is a door and an unopened door is just part of the wall and as long as it’s standing it’s doing its job.). If that is the case, leave this book on its shelf, leave this review at the bottom of the page, where they belong, and calmly carry on with your life. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
On the other hand, you can choose to simply let go and immerse yourself in a show more world unlike any other. This is a story to be savoured with the mind and the gut. A story of love, loss, and fear. A story that is raw, visceral, and unforgiving. A story about the interplay of human nature and the mysterious forces that follow all creatures through pain and victory. Because there is no other way to say it. This is a story older than stories.
Intricately layered, it introduces unforgettable characters that will inevitably step out of the page to inhabit your dreams. Or, you know, your nightmares. Relax, it's only the epic fornication of mystery and enigma. Best enjoyed in combination with the TV show. show less
There are two possible reactions to this book, both perfectly understandable. You can either be repelled, discomforted, or shocked by the (what could be perceived as unnecessary) complexity of the language, by the sheer weirdness of both content and representation, by the questions raised that far outnumber the answers (a question is a door and an unopened door is just part of the wall and as long as it’s standing it’s doing its job.). If that is the case, leave this book on its shelf, leave this review at the bottom of the page, where they belong, and calmly carry on with your life. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
On the other hand, you can choose to simply let go and immerse yourself in a show more world unlike any other. This is a story to be savoured with the mind and the gut. A story of love, loss, and fear. A story that is raw, visceral, and unforgiving. A story about the interplay of human nature and the mysterious forces that follow all creatures through pain and victory. Because there is no other way to say it. This is a story older than stories.
Intricately layered, it introduces unforgettable characters that will inevitably step out of the page to inhabit your dreams. Or, you know, your nightmares. Relax, it's only the epic fornication of mystery and enigma. Best enjoyed in combination with the TV show. show less
This is not the genre I normally prefer to read, but my teenage son asked me to buy this for him to read. He finished it in two days and was singing its praises for weeks. I decided to see for myself and was pleasantly surprised. Brian McGreevy weaves a tale of intrigue and suspense while bringing the reader into the unknown.
Hemlock Grove, Pennsylvania, was a town in transition. Godfrey Steel Mill, founded in 1873, built the town manufacturing steel. But toward the end of the 20th century, manufacturing was falling out of favor in the United States. The Godfrey family transitioned from steel to health care and biotechnology. This also brought about a new type of worker - moving from braun to brain.
So the story starts amid this back drop show more in October, right after the harvest moon. A mutilated girl was found in Kilderry Park. The police suspect a wild animal, maybe a bear. But Christina Wendell believes it was Peter Rumancek, 17 year old gypsy who had recently moved to Hemlock Grove with his mother. You see, Peter had told Christina he was a werewolf. But is this possible? Werewolves don't really exist. They are creatures of legend, just like vampires. Clearly this was simply a case of a young man boasting to a girl. The rumor spreads through the High School at any rate, casting doubt over Peter.
Enter Roman Godfrey, heir to the Godfrey fortune and class mate of Peter. He approaches Peter, asks if he is the killer, and after receiving a negative response forms an alliance to capture or kill the culprit. This is the essence of the mystery. Mcgreevy also introduces several other compelling characters that also play their part in the story and mystery: Olivia Godfrey, Roman's mother; Shelley Godfrey, Roman's 7 1/2 foot tall sister wearing crates on her feet full of potting soil; Norman Godfrey, Roman's uncle and Olivia's secret lover; Destiny Rumancek, Peter's cousin who is skilled in the ways of gypsy lore and witchcraft; Dr. Pryce, brilliant researcher working for the Godfreys and specializing in regeneration; and the federal agent sent to investigate the murders who was smarter than anyone gave her credit for.
All in all, I thought the book told a very interesting tale. The mystery, the characters, and the paranormal element made this a very interesting read. show less
Hemlock Grove, Pennsylvania, was a town in transition. Godfrey Steel Mill, founded in 1873, built the town manufacturing steel. But toward the end of the 20th century, manufacturing was falling out of favor in the United States. The Godfrey family transitioned from steel to health care and biotechnology. This also brought about a new type of worker - moving from braun to brain.
So the story starts amid this back drop show more in October, right after the harvest moon. A mutilated girl was found in Kilderry Park. The police suspect a wild animal, maybe a bear. But Christina Wendell believes it was Peter Rumancek, 17 year old gypsy who had recently moved to Hemlock Grove with his mother. You see, Peter had told Christina he was a werewolf. But is this possible? Werewolves don't really exist. They are creatures of legend, just like vampires. Clearly this was simply a case of a young man boasting to a girl. The rumor spreads through the High School at any rate, casting doubt over Peter.
Enter Roman Godfrey, heir to the Godfrey fortune and class mate of Peter. He approaches Peter, asks if he is the killer, and after receiving a negative response forms an alliance to capture or kill the culprit. This is the essence of the mystery. Mcgreevy also introduces several other compelling characters that also play their part in the story and mystery: Olivia Godfrey, Roman's mother; Shelley Godfrey, Roman's 7 1/2 foot tall sister wearing crates on her feet full of potting soil; Norman Godfrey, Roman's uncle and Olivia's secret lover; Destiny Rumancek, Peter's cousin who is skilled in the ways of gypsy lore and witchcraft; Dr. Pryce, brilliant researcher working for the Godfreys and specializing in regeneration; and the federal agent sent to investigate the murders who was smarter than anyone gave her credit for.
All in all, I thought the book told a very interesting tale. The mystery, the characters, and the paranormal element made this a very interesting read. show less
Jesus. This is a terrible fucking book.
Not primarily because of the clumsy sentence structure, hammy dialogue, or even the way the narrative focus lurches around like a drunken Blair Witch camera operator.
It's so bad because it was one competent editor away from being incredible. What it had instead was someone who set the bar at "has words", and what could have been a unicorn (an original, well-written book that turns the usual YA tropes on its head) ended up a fat horse with brain damage and a plastic horn.
Not primarily because of the clumsy sentence structure, hammy dialogue, or even the way the narrative focus lurches around like a drunken Blair Witch camera operator.
It's so bad because it was one competent editor away from being incredible. What it had instead was someone who set the bar at "has words", and what could have been a unicorn (an original, well-written book that turns the usual YA tropes on its head) ended up a fat horse with brain damage and a plastic horn.
What a chore it was to endure this bloated, pretentious, pseudo-avant garde noir Gothic. The problem here is that the author, who I assume is a smug graduate of some indie fringe creative writing program (yes, he holds an MFA from a program I’ve never heard of), intentionally (I suspect) sets out to offer some postmodern critique of class and gender relations by crafting a reinvention of Gothic tropes. This book desperately aspires to be the intellectual version of “Twilight.” It fails. Apparently, this is the first book of a planned trilogy, which I do not plan to complete.
Hemlock Grove by Brian McGreevy is a book that I knew very little about in advance. I did know that it has something to do with werewolves and that there is an original Netflick series that has been developed from the book. This book is one that came very close to being abandoned as I couldn’t seem to get my head around these strange characters. How strange you ask? Well, when the boy who turns into a werewolf once a month appears to be the most normal and likeable one of the lot, it does cause you to ask some questions.
I did stick with it, and this is one time that I wish I hadn’t. Yes, it was a werewolf story, but so much additional crap was added that the final product was muddled, pointless and completely incomprehensible. The show more characters act in strange, unexplained ways. Plot points that seem carefully developed by the author often had no resolution. One thing (of many) that totally drove me crazy was that the author took the time to include a special two-headed silver axe that was specifically to be used for killing a werewolf, but it never gets used. Instead the character that has it, stands idly by with it in his hands, while someone else fights the werewolf.
All I can say about Hemlock Grove is I wish I hadn’t bothered. show less
I did stick with it, and this is one time that I wish I hadn’t. Yes, it was a werewolf story, but so much additional crap was added that the final product was muddled, pointless and completely incomprehensible. The show more characters act in strange, unexplained ways. Plot points that seem carefully developed by the author often had no resolution. One thing (of many) that totally drove me crazy was that the author took the time to include a special two-headed silver axe that was specifically to be used for killing a werewolf, but it never gets used. Instead the character that has it, stands idly by with it in his hands, while someone else fights the werewolf.
All I can say about Hemlock Grove is I wish I hadn’t bothered. show less
Brian McGreevy has managed to scrape the muck and Meyer off the genre and made teenage werewolves and vampires cool again. Sorta. Never much a fan for the supernatural, I confess that I had to force myself several times to put this book down in order to work, take care of my kid, and other responsibilities. There covers are packed with literary allusions, psychological aspects, and an in depth understanding of the occult (or at least reads like it). And the Frankenstein-like subplot? What more can a reader ask for?
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Hemlock Grove
- Alternate titles
- The Wise Wolf
- Original publication date
- 2012-03-27
- People/Characters
- Peter Rumancek; Roman Godfrey; Christina Wendall; Letha Godfrey; Shelley Godfrey; Olivia Godfrey (show all 13); Lynda Rumancek; Norman Godfrey; Johann Pryce; Clementine Chasseur; Alexa Sworn; Alyssa Sworn; Francis Pullman
- Important places
- Hemlock Grove, Pennsylvania, USA
- Related movies
- Hemlock Grove (2013 | IMDb)
- Epigraph
- Too much of the animal disfigures the civilized human being, too much culture makes a sick animal. -- C.G. Jung
Hemlock growth is usually accompanied by a "black run." This is a stream of unusual darkness in color caused by the slow decay of hemlock needles and other plant material. Periodically, high water will flush these streams a... (show all)nd the darkening process will begin again. -- Pennsylvania Department of Conservation - Dedication
- To Mom and to Domenica: the perennial dichotomy
- First words
- The lone wolf howls to rejoin the pack from which he is separated.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)"A-ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO..."
- Blurbers
- Meyer, Philipp
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- Members
- 519
- Popularity
- 57,769
- Reviews
- 43
- Rating
- (3.21)
- Languages
- English, French, Portuguese
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 12
- ASINs
- 7
