What I liked:

- The pulpy, noir style. It added a sense of mystery and intrigue to the story, making it feel like a classic detective novel set in a seedy underworld. The dark and moody atmosphere was palpable, and it really drew me in.

- The twist at the end. It was completely unexpected and really blew my mind. I never saw it coming, and it made me reevaluate everything that had happened before. It was a great way to end the story and left me with a sense of satisfaction.

What I didn't like:

- The tedious middle section in which the hero kills his friends. This part of the story felt really drawn out and unnecessary. I understand that it was supposed to build tension and show the hero's descent into madness, but it just felt like a waste of time.

- The fact that the hero kills his friends because a hot girl wants him to. This was a really weak motivation for the hero's actions. It made him seem like a complete pushover and took away from his character. I would have preferred if there was a more complex and believable reason for him to do what he did.

- The fact that the hero is so stupid he doesn't realize it's not a dream. This was just really frustrating. I get that he's supposed to be in a state of shock and confusion, but it seems like he's deliberately ignoring the obvious. It made it hard for me to empathize with him or take his character seriously.

- That I expected a werewolf novel and got a film noir with a supernatural twist. This was more of a personal gripe, but I was really looking forward to reading a werewolf story. When I realized that it was something completely different, I was a little disappointed. However, I will say that the story was still interesting and well-written, even if it wasn't what I was expecting.

It is of great significance to be aware that this book was initially published in 1940.

If you find it overly discomforting to read about the social norms of that era, then it would be advisable not to read this book.

The word "b*tch" is utilized extremely frequently within its pages. Additionally, racist stereotypes are employed.

However, apart from these aspects, it is still a rather decent book. It offers valuable insights into the historical context and the mindset of the people during that particular time period.

Despite the presence of these potentially offensive elements, it can serve as a learning tool for those who are interested in understanding the evolution of society and language.

Nevertheless, it is essential to approach the book with a critical eye and an open mind, being cognizant of the cultural and historical background in which it was written.

More Retro Hugo reading. I had not previously delved into "Darker Than You Think" by Jack Williamson. However, I was completely captivated by the story. It is a unique blend of urban fantasy and secret history. The narrative endeavors to unite all the myths of witches, vampires, and shapeshifters into a colossal and age-old conflict. There are two branches of humanity. One has the power to manipulate probability and matter, while the other is our more familiar kind of human. Defeated by normal humans countless eons ago, the potential of shapeshifters has persisted in humanity's gene pool. Through careful breeding, a new breed of shapeshifters is on the verge of emerging. But there are humans who are cognizant of this and have hunted down the ancient weapons once used to vanquish their archaic foe. It is truly an engrossing read, and in my opinion, it rightfully belongs among the other finalists.

A reporter delves (convincingly) into the roots of evil.

Sorry, my dear witch friends. The author truly didn't have to smear the name of witches, and... ouch. I can't recommend this to you.

The book isn't actually about witches, but rather about jerks. Narcissists. Psychopaths. People with lethal charm and the apparent ability to manipulate the people and events around them, like Charles Manson. People who view the rest of us as mere flesh.

The author hypothesizes that this element - whatever it may be - stems from another race with which Homo sapiens interbred. Too much of it leads to these strange powers and a total disregard for ordinary humanity. Personally, I doubt that such a simple answer will ever be discovered.

This is a thought-provoking book, but it keeps the explanations to a minimum. The action, characters, and plot are just sufficient to hold the ideas together - how do jerks think? How could they possibly rationalize all of this? Why can't they leave the rest of us alone? And is there any hope?

The answers are quite convincing, including the twist at the end, or perhaps especially the twist at the end, considering our current circumstances.

Recommended for fans of fantasy, science fiction, and crime. Not recommended for Pagans. Please remember that jerks are not Pagans, and vice versa, and Pagans don't deserve to be targeted as "evil." If you're preemptively singling out a group that has done you no harm or has even provided a net benefit, you're the bad guys. Just a reminder.

I was truly surprised when I checked this out from the library and discovered that it was written in 1948.

It is a dark and captivating tale that must surely be one of the earliest examples of urban fantasy.

What sets it apart is that it is a tale not just of werewolves but of lycanthropy in general.

The story is presented in the form of pulp fiction, with quite stereotypical characters. For instance, there is April Bell, the femme fatale.

Despite its somewhat formulaic nature, it is great fun to read and can be finished quickly. It also has some interesting twists that keep the reader engaged.

Even though it belongs to a specific time period, it has aged remarkably well. It still manages to hold the attention of modern readers and offers a unique glimpse into the early days of the urban fantasy genre.

Overall, it is a fascinating read that is well worth exploring.

A horror story that dates back 70 years. Jack Williamson penned a story that remains remarkably relevant. Will Barbee experiences a series of strange occurrences and believes he is going insane as he dreams of shape-shifting.

His former professor, Lamark Mondrick, has unearthed something peculiar during his archaeological excavations in Mongolia. This discovery could potentially be a weapon against something, but unfortunately, he passes away while attempting to disclose it to the world. The situation quickly escalates and spins out of control in this small California town.

The tale is told with great skill, and it still feels remarkably fresh after over seventy years, showcasing Williamson as a great writer. The passage of time is hardly noticeable, except for a few minor details that describe things that are more or less still relevant today. You won't find mobile telephones in this novel, but their absence is not missed. It is a masterpiece in its own right.

This book holds a special place as it is #20 in a series that was published by Bruna, a renowned publisher in the Netherlands, between 1971 and 1976.

Remarkably, there are a total of 29 books in this captivating series, and I have the privilege of owning every single one of them.

I vividly remember those days when I used to have a routine. Every Thursday, I would go shopping for food. And on the way back home, without fail, I would stop at the bookstore.

It was like a little treat for myself. I would eagerly browse through the shelves, looking for the next installment of this wonderful series.

Those were truly the days when simple pleasures like buying a new book could bring so much joy and excitement.

Now, as I look at this collection, it not only reminds me of those Thursdays but also of the countless hours I spent immersed in the stories within these pages.

It's a precious part of my life and a testament to my love for reading.

Darker Than You Think is the captivating story of Will Barbee, a hard-drinking newspaper reporter. He is assigned to cover the mysterious dig of an archaeological team in the Gobi Desert.

When Dr. Mondrick Lamarck and his team of scientists step off the plane, Will and a rival reporter, April Bell, are among the press members waiting at the airport to meet the archaeologists. The team brings with them a mysterious trunk. However, instead of being excited about its contents, they are filled with intense fear. When Dr. Mondrick, the leader of the expedition, attempts to explain what they found in the desert, including a secret enemy awaiting the coming of the "Child of the Night," he suddenly drops dead at the reporters' feet, seemingly a victim of a heart attack.

As for April Bell, a fellow reporter whom Will should view as his competitor, he discovers that he is strongly attracted to her. Even though he has a hunch that she might be involved in Dr. Mondrick's death. As disturbing dreams start to invade his waking life and his old friends begin to die one by one, Will stumbles upon a semi-human breed of shapeshifters who are fighting an ancient war in the name of the Child of the Night.

Overall, it is a reasonable "werewolf" novel. However, it ultimately feels a little too long and slightly outdated.

DARKER THAN YOU THINK is a remarkable classic within the horror genre.

It introduces classic monsters in an entirely novel format, delving deep into the psychology of what it truly means to be a monster.

A profound discussion of this tale almost inevitably invites spoilers, which I will refrain from here.

However, I must emphasize that Williamson's handling of Werewolves, Ghosts, and other classic Universal Monsters is executed in a truly imaginative and captivating manner.

The story not only showcases the terrifying aspects of these monsters but also explores their inner turmoil and the complex emotions that drive them.

It offers a fresh perspective on the traditional horror tropes, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.

Whether you are a die-hard horror enthusiast or simply looking for a thrilling and thought-provoking read, DARKER THAN YOU THINK is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Will Barbee, the ace reporter of a small town newspaper, is dispatched to cover the return of a group of scientists from an archaeological dig in Mongolia. The lead scientist, who was Barbee's mentor in college before an inexplicable falling-out, has promised a major, ground-breaking revelation upon his return. However, tragedy strikes before it can be disclosed. Now, Barbee is delving into the death of his mentor, the contents of the sealed and mysterious box the team brought back from Mongolia, the identity of the "Child of Night" mentioned by his mentor before dying, and their possible connection to the alluring April Bell. In the end, he will uncover ancient conspiracies and a sort of grand unified theory of the supernatural that predates man.

It all sounds extremely interesting, and Williamson earns an "A" for his big and captivating ideas. Regrettably, he receives a "Gentleman's C" for presentation. The main character, Will Barbee, is incredibly irritating due to his persistent stupidity. He is supposed to be this remarkable reporter with an uncanny ability to sniff out a story, but you wouldn't know it from his actions in the novel. In fact, he is invariably the last person to figure anything out in the novel. The average reader will have guessed where the story is headed early on, and having such a slow-witted main character is frustrating. Barbee's only other characteristic, aside from his incredible all-consuming obliviousness, is a middle school-level sexual obsession with April Bell, which is equally eye-rollingly campy. The other characters are all rather one-dimensional.

I understand that the novel was written in 1947, and perhaps it hasn't aged as well as it could have (although I've read genre novels from that period and older that haven't been nearly as stale). The problem is that it began as a short story for one of the pulps and reads like every bit of one. For me, that style is fine for a short piece, but a 200+ page novel requires a bit more finesse. In the end, I've given it three stars mainly because of the ideas (which are interesting) and the historical importance of the piece in the evolution of 20th Century horror fiction, but it was not a great read for me, and it's certainly not one that I would return to reread.

Given the somewhat \\"classic horror\\" status of this book, I have to admit I was disappointed. It's on the list of \\"21 Must Read Horror Books\\" in the Horror Writer Association's guide, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations. Especially since this is about shapeshifters, one of my favorite subjects.

I'm giving it 3 stars instead of 2 because it is quite different than most books of this type that I've read. In my opinion, it is really more of a sci-fi/fantasy novel than horror, and more adventure-oriented than atmosphere-oriented. As such, it is more appreciated as a pure genre work than literary work.

**POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD**

I will try not to give away too much. I said it is about shapeshifters above because, although it is usually mentioned as one of the best werewolf books, the characters can assume other shapes. They just happen to take wolf shape sometimes. I kind of like this, and found it intriguing that they could even assume the shape of prehistoric animals.

The explanation behind the shapeshifting ability is couched in scientific rather than supernatural terms, which gives an interesting twist. But ultimately it smacks somewhat of racist/eugenic notions that I find troubling. This could be written off as more the attitude of the human characters, but both they and the shapeshifters think in black-and-white terms. It's good vs. evil, with the shapeshifters harboring a hatred for humans and vice versa. The narrative tries to set up a conflicted protagonist who tries to sympathize with both sides, but it doesn't work for me. He seems to have little control over his own actions, and either side is reducible to biological impulses. It could have made for some intense inner drama, but the lack of real self-reflection and choice makes it too simplistic.

Much of the dialogue is dated, sometimes more funny than compelling. It stuns me how many have said that the book doesn't seem dated. Its vaguely racist and sexist attitudes, as well as some of the cliche dialogue and descriptions, hammer its datedness home for me. It was published in 1948, after all. It has a kind of noir-ish feel, though the protagonist is a reporter not a detective. Some of the scientific stuff does seem advanced for its time, I give it that. There is also a blind woman character with a guide dog, which is not something I find even in fiction today, let alone 1948. She is and isn't a stereotype. She \\"sees more\\" despite being blind, something quite common for blind characters, but her bravery and determination make her more rounded.

To return to the protagonist, I felt he was quite weak and easily manipulated. I admit I was a bit surprised by the ending, especially by the weird postmodern turn it seemed to take. One plus is that the edition I read included black-and-white drawings of certain scenes, which gave it a graphic novel feel. All in all, I don't think it deserves the hype it gets, but you could do worse if it sounds like your kind of thing. And if shapeshifters are your thing, you can do much worse.

This is a truly great story.

It is extremely atmospheric, capable of transporting the reader into a world that is both captivating and eerie.

As I delved into the words, the vivid images that were produced in my mind were strikingly similar to those of watching a classic black and white horror movie.

The author has masterfully crafted a narrative that not only engages the imagination but also elicits a sense of unease and anticipation.

The details are so rich and the descriptions so vivid that it feels as if one is actually present in the scenes being described.

It's as if the story unfolds before your eyes, with all the shadows and mysteries of a bygone era.

Overall, this is a story that leaves a lasting impression and is sure to haunt the reader long after the final page has been turned.