Withered Hill by David Barnett: A Modern Folk Horror Masterpiece

Withered Hill by David Barnett: A Modern Folk Horror Masterpiece

Folk Horror never seems to go away; like that ancient dark forest, folk horror still can drive fear into us all. No matter how enlightened or civilised we become, we are always just a doorway or a muddy path away from the primal fears that drive us to keep the lights on and the doors locked. Always hoping that the old ones in the forest don’t pay us any attention.  

Next to creature features, folk horror is my favourite sub-genre of horror.

Having been raised by two extremely superstitious farming sides of the family, I have always had mutual respect and fear of the countryside. We are always aware that we are being watched at all times, but like the fool I am, I will always lean into my fears and look for a great time within the pages of a book or flickering scenes on a TV.

This brings me to Withered Hill by David M. Barnett, the latest folk horror novel to tickle my fancy. I was immediately drawn to the book by its simplistic but hugely effective cover. Hares have a special place in my heart; whenever I see one, I know I will have a good day. However, does the cover hare mean I will have a good time with this book?

David M. Barnett’s Withered Hill takes the reader on a journey to a secluded English village steeped in ancient pagan rituals and dark secrets. You know, the sort of village where everyone stops and stares at the sign of an interloper. We all know of places like this, and we should listen to the voices inside of our heads and stay clear of them. But that would be silly. Otherwise, we would miss out on reading a genuinely excellent horror novel.

Withered Hill is best described as a contemporary folk horror novel.

It weaves a complex tapestry of suspense, mystery, and disturbing themes via a dual narrative structure that will leave readers shivering with fear long after leaving Withered Hill’s confines. This is where David M. Barnett excels, for the “dual narrative” structure of the novel is given a unique twist with the past being confined to what is known as the Outside and the present being confined to the village. The inside strand of the narrative shines the most, with it not being told with a straightforward linear timeline. There are jumps, twists, and backtracking here, which is initially confusing. However, once you understand the nature of the fractured timeline, everything falls wonderfully into place.

This is Sophie’s story;

on the Outside, she is a directionless person who would rather have a good time than a set of life goals. Then, one day, she somehow finds herself in the spook world of Withered Hill with no memory of who she is, how she got there or what she is supposed to do. A woman who finds herself stranded in the remote village of Withered Hill. She tries to piece together her past and figure out who she is. She finds herself at the mercy of the village folk and their mysterious old ways, drawn to the cultlike ways of their village. Can Sophie find the answers and the truth she so desperately desires?

As you read Withered Hill, you will find yourself in a similar territory to Sophie. You will be entranced and pulled in by the weird and disturbing nature of the villagers, just as she is. Barnett’s descriptions of them and the way in which he utilises them in the narrative will leave you feeling disorientated and filled with extreme unease as the story unfolds. The shared experience with Sophie, being kept in the dark about the story’s direction, adds to the book’s appeal. Everything is told in a riddle, and the joy of working it all out was truly enthralling.

Despite the dark undertones of the novel,

there was also an excellent sense of whimsy, albeit a dark whimsy. For example, Sophie’s multiple attempts to escape the village reminded me of The Prisoner Withered Hill, which captures that unique blend of whimsy and fear, the beating heart of British folk horror.

David M. Barnett’s writing is evocative and atmospheric. His descriptions of the village and its inhabitants and their folky ways chill the reader to the bone. The novel’s pacing is deliberate, expertly building tension and suspense as Sophie delves deeper into the village’s secrets.

Exploring themes such as isolation, community, and the darker aspects of human nature, Withered Hill never takes the easy way out when telling this story—and it is all the better for it. Barnett demands that the reader does some of the lifting; nothing is laid out at our feet. However, this ensures that once you are hooked into the narrative, you will focus on every single word in this masterful novel.

One of Withered Hill’s strengths is its ability to blend traditional folk horror themes with more contemporary ones. This blend allows the novel to be both comforting in its overall familiarity and utterly fresh in its take on the genre, making it a compelling read for traditional and modern horror fans.

Withered Hill is a must-read for fans of folk horror and dark fiction. A haunting and atmospheric tale, It is the perfect tale to read as the leaves change colour and we welcome the old gods of the autumn forest.

I have never had the urge to visit Lancashire, and after reading this terrifying novel, I’ll make sure I never go near it again.

Withered Hill by David Barnett: A Modern Folk Horror Masterpiece

A year ago Sophie Wickham stumbled into the isolated Lancashire village of Withered Hill, naked, alone and with no memory of who she is.

Surrounded by a thick ring of woodland, its inhabitants seem to be of another world, drenched in pagan, folklorish traditions.

As Sophie struggles to regain the memories of her life from before, she quickly realises she is a prisoner after multiple failed escape attempts. But is it the locals who keep her trapped, with smiles on their faces, or something else, lurking in the woods?

In London, Sophie leads a chaotic life, with too many drunken nights, inappropriate men and boring temp jobs. But things take a turn as she starts to be targeted by strange messages warning her that someone, or something, is coming for her.

With no idea who to trust, or where to turn for help, the messages become more insistent and more intimidating, urging Sophie to make her way to a place called Withered Hill…

An utterly bewitching, dual timeline folk horror novel, with a truly devastating twist you have to read to believe.