A pulp classic stands out with its unique charm. It weaves a captivating tale that combines rationalized elements with the influence of noir, delving into the realms of witchcraft, shapeshifting, and human neuroses.

The story features an alcoholic narrator, which adds an interesting layer of complexity. There is also a femme fatale, whose presence further enriches the narrative. What's remarkable is how the easy excursions into Freudian psychology, anthropology, and physics enhance the plot rather than cause distractions.

For pulp aficionados, this is a must-read. It offers a rich and engaging experience that showcases the best of the pulp genre. Additionally, fans of contemporary dark fantasy will also find much to enjoy in this classic. Its combination of thrilling elements and thought-provoking themes makes it a canonical read that continues to captivate readers to this day.

This is a classic that truly stands the test of time.

I didn't realize it wasn't contemporary until I had delved into it for a while. To my great amazement, it seemed so current and relevant.

The science mentioned within its pages must have been incredibly cutting edge at the time of publication, especially considering it was aimed at a lay audience.

It's truly remarkable how this book has managed to maintain its allure and significance over the years.

What a great book it is, offering valuable insights and knowledge that are still applicable today.

It serves as a reminder of the power of great literature and the ability of a well-written work to transcend time and continue to engage and inspire readers.

Whether you're a science enthusiast or simply someone who enjoys a good read, this classic is definitely worth exploring.

You'll be captivated by its content and left with a newfound appreciation for the genius behind it.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to experience this literary gem for yourself.

What would happen if an archaeologist found evidence that beings like shapeshifters, werewolves, and the like actually existed at one time, in the distant prehistory?

If then he could prove that those abilities, the result of particular genetic combinations, are not completely lost but still remain, today, in some human beings?

This discovery would surely turn the world of science and history upside down. It would challenge our current understanding of evolution and the capabilities of ancient civilizations.

People would be fascinated and perhaps a little scared by the idea that such extraordinary beings once walked the earth and that their powers might still lurk within some of us.

It could also lead to a new era of research into genetics and the potential hidden abilities of the human race.

Scientists would scramble to study these ancient remains and try to understand how these genetic combinations worked and if they could be replicated or harnessed in some way.

The discovery would have far-reaching implications for our society, our culture, and our sense of who we are as human beings.

This is an interesting horror novel. It is more notable due to its early publication date in 1948 and the significant influences it had on later fiction, rather than for its own merits alone.

The story revolves around a hidden race of humans, or rather, human-adjacent beings, who are the source of tales about witches, vampires, shape-changers, and more.

Although not the first to suggest a hidden cousin-species to modern humans or a hidden alternative history of mankind, it is one of the first to combine all these elements in this particular way. It then attempts to explain the magical nature of these creatures through the nascent fields of Einsteinian and quantum physics. The science-babble is typical of the era, as fantasy was a hard sell in the mid-century without the trappings of science fiction. However, it manages to work here.

The overall result of the novel is rather mixed. When the "secret history" is finally revealed late in the story, it is wonderfully chilling, and the explanation of these creatures and their powers clearly had a profound impact on later writers. You can see its influence in works as diverse as Neil Gaiman's, the World of Darkness RPGs by Mark Rein*Hagen, the alien-human hybrid storyline of X-Files, and even in the pseudo-history and conspiracy theory writings of people like Graham Hancock.

The main problem lies not with the novel or its plot, but with its protagonist, Will Barbee. A failed anthropology student turned embittered, alcoholic investigative reporter, he is portrayed as absurdly naive and incredulous to the point of being ludicrous. For example, imagine going to dinner with someone after witnessing your old mentor's death, and she confesses to the murder and details how she did it, yet because she's attractive, you make another date? Or, you keep having dreams where your friends die horribly, and then you learn it happened exactly as in your dreams, but you keep shrugging it off. These elements, if handled differently, could have been effective, but as written, Barbee is so clueless and misses so many obvious clues that it becomes silly.

The novel earns three stars because of its original idea at the time and the long shadow it has cast. However, Williamson's choice of overly-lush prose and a profoundly stupid central character make the work feel like a plod by the end.

Pulp deliciosamente previsible.

Genre. Fantastic Fiction.

What it tells us. Will Barbee, a journalist from The Clarendon Star, meets April Bell from The Clarendon Beacon while both are waiting for the arrival at the airport of Dr. Lamarck Mondrick, in charge of the Human Research Foundation, and his entire team of archaeologists and researchers who are coming directly from Mongolia. When Dr. Mondrick tries to make an important announcement at an impromptu press conference, he suddenly dies. First published as a short novel in 1940, expanded to a novel eight years later, and also known in Spanish as “The Son of the Night” and “Darker Than You Think”.

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This story seems to have an element of mystery and surprise. The sudden death of Dr. Mondrick during a press conference adds an air of intrigue. We can imagine the shock and confusion that Will Barbee and April Bell must have felt. The expansion of the short novel to a full-length one eight years later might suggest that the author had more to explore and develop in this story. The different titles in Spanish also give an indication of the various interpretations and aspects that the book may have. Overall, it sounds like a captivating read for those interested in fantastic fiction and mystery.

I'm no werewolf expert, and by no means do I pretend to be one. When it comes to judging the wolves in this 1948 horror classic, my perspective is rather unique. My frame of reference is the adorable, furry Seth Green, which perhaps colors my expectations. So, I didn't really anticipate them to be overly scary. However, what truly surprised me was how human they seemed.

When they shift, their behavior is indistinguishable from that of their human form. This leads to some truly hilarious scenes, like the one described here: "She trotted past the fallen chair, sprang lightly to the desk and grasped the dead man's pencil in her pliant paws."

The werewolf lady then goes on to write a note, chatting companionably all the while and completely ignoring the fact that she lacks opposable thumbs.

Overall, it's good, pulpy fun, but it doesn't exactly send shivers down your spine. It's more of a lighthearted take on the werewolf genre, with a touch of humor that makes it an enjoyable watch, even if it doesn't quite reach the heights of true horror.

I don't typically write reviews.

Until now, I had not read Williamson, but fortunately, I am in the process of rectifying that situation. This was a delightful little noir story. It centered around an alcoholic newspaper man named Barbee and his encounter with an evolutionary offshoot species of man, known by various names such as lycanthropes, jaguar-men, or simply witches. It was one of these that he met in April Bell. Her mysteries, revelations, and seductions brought out a whole new side of Barbee. The question remains: is he truly changing, or is Barbee simply cracking under the pressure of drink, realistic nightmares, the death of his old friends, and the fear of losing his mind?

I rate this about 3.5 stars because it was evident how the original short story had to be manipulated, repeated, and distorted to be expanded into a full novel. However, I was captivated by the first scene, which had lovely characterization and a creepy atmosphere at the airport.

I mostly picked up this novel after having read a few of the other titles in this grouped collection of horror novels.

While not all of them have been amazing, they have been interesting. This particular one seems to fit the bill as well.

Certainly, it is not a traditional werewolf novel. Instead, it exerts more effort in establishing a quasi-quantum rationale for everything. It also skirts the border of eroticism, witchcraft, and a rather bizarro and bonkers land.

In some ways, it works. The atmosphere it creates is quite palpable, and the visual descriptions are vivid. However, the writing is rather florid and frequently clumsy. Moreover, our protagonist is so annoyingly whiny that it makes for a tough read at times.

If you're a die-hard fan of the horror genre, then by all means give it a go. But for me personally, it didn't really click.

Perhaps others will find more to enjoy in its unique blend of elements, but it just didn't quite hit the mark for me.

Overall, it's an interesting addition to the horror genre, but not without its flaws.

Jack Parsons must've read the novella.

The book-length version, however, is a different story. It contains a whopping 80% filler, which is quite astonishing.

It seems that instead of coming up with new and exciting scenarios to expand the narrative and fill out the extra pages, Williamson took the easy way out. He simply padded each scene with half a dozen pages of repetition.

This makes for a rather uninteresting and tiresome read. It's a real disappointment, especially considering the potential that the original novella might have had.

One can't help but wonder what could have been if Williamson had put more effort into creating a truly engaging and original full-length work.

As it stands, this book is not one that I would recommend to others. It's a prime example of how not to expand a novella into a full-length novel.

Perhaps Williamson should go back to the drawing board and try again, this time focusing on quality rather than quantity.

Only then might he be able to create a work that lives up to the expectations of his readers.

Spoilers Ahead

This book, in some aspects, gives a sense of being quite dated. However, in other ways, it still manages to feel fresh and engaging. It skillfully plays with some of the most classic science fiction and fantasy tropes. There is a great deal of discussion about Freud and quantum physics, which is not at all surprising considering it was written in 1948.

I was drawn to pick up this book upon hearing that it was a werewolf book. Indeed, it does possess certain elements of a werewolf story. However, there are no actual werewolves in it. Instead, we have shapeshifters or witches. Their transformations are not even real in the traditional sense; rather, they are a form of astral projection where they leave their physical bodies in bed. The protagonist spends an equal amount of time taking on the forms of a pterodactyl, a saber-tooth tiger, and a snake as he does being a wolf.

One aspect that really annoyed me was how little control Will seemed to have over his powers. I continuously found myself wishing that he would rebel against his dark destiny and put an end to the murders. April, throughout most of the book, appeared to be more powerful than him. Even after Will discovered that he was the Child of the Night, I still wasn't entirely convinced because he seemed unable to prevent further murders. He essentially spent the entire book acting as April's attack dog. Additionally, I wish that we had been provided with more details about his childhood earlier in the story. This revelation came as a huge shock and slightly disrupted my immersion in the book.

I know I might be being picky, but overall, this book was truly wonderful. It had an incredibly fast pace that made it impossible for me to put down. It contained great snippets of what could be considered "science" (in the science fiction sense) and "anthropology," which made it very easy for me to become fully immersed in the book. For the most part, Will was really a likeable character.

On a negative note, this book does objectify women. Almost every single woman in the story is objectified at some point or another. This made me view Will in a slightly more negative light, although I don't believe the author had that intention. But then again, who knows? Maybe it's yet another sign that he is truly meant to be the Black Messiah.

The fantasy aspect of the book was quite remarkable. One finds oneself simultaneously wishing they were in Will's position while also being horrified by the things he does. Who would have thought that murder and betrayal could be so captivating?

"Darker Than You Think" was first published as a novella in the magazine "Unknown" in 1940. It was then expanded into a novel by Jack Williamson and first published in 1948. The male protagonist of the novel, Will Barbee, is caught in a vortex of events that could lead to the extinction of humanity. As it turns out, since ancient times, in addition to Homo Sapiens, there has been a second species of human-like creatures that possess supernatural powers. This second species is initially described as witches, later as werewolves, and at the end of the book also as vampires. In the novel, it is the basis of numerous human myths and fairy tales, as well as witch hunts. Because already in the Bible there is the quote that Williamson repeats several times: "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." This race, which was almost wiped out by humans long ago through secret weapons, is waiting for the birth of a new leader (Child of Night) who will have enormous powers and is supposed to subjugate humanity. In the fight of this foreign race against humanity, Barbee will play a central role.

Williamson has placed one of the narrative focuses on giving a (pseudo) scientific explanation for the existence of the witch/werewolf/vampire race and on how their superhuman powers can be explained. The development of the atomic bomb and quantum physics, especially Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, caused a fundamental feeling of fear and paranoia in America in the 1940s and 1950s, which was further enhanced by the fear of communism. At one point it says: "...the new physics, with its law of uncertainty and its denial of all the comfortable old concepts of matter and space and time, and its atom bombs, became suddenly as disquieting as the dark riddle of Mondrick's death."
Specifically, radiation and uncertainty play a prominent role in Williamson's explanations for the power of the foreign race (and whether it's Formicula, Spiderman, Twilight Zone or the Hulk: they're all made of this stuff!), and his attempt to give a horror novel a scientific basis was taken up by Richard Matheson in 1954; In "I am Legend", Matheson describes an apocalyptic end-of-the-world scenario in which Robert Neville is not transformed into a vampire-like being by a virus as the last human.
While Williamson constructs the plot level well with numerous twists and tells it excitingly, unfortunately he has not made too much effort in terms of character portrayal. Will Barbee is a "tragic" but not very sympathetic protagonist (Robert Neville is related in this regard) and his behavior is often not understandable to me. For all the characters in the novel, it is true that they are stereotypes and their actions are less logical than action-promoting (in this respect it also reminds me a little of the B-movies of Jack Arnold: high cult factor, little depth). However, to be fair, it should also be said that the vast majority of horror and sci-fi novels of the 1940s appeared in the pulps and little weight was placed on literary qualities. The novels were simply supposed to be entertaining, and "Darker than you think" is also entertaining and exciting. In comparison to many other genre titles of its time, this novel stands out from the mass of publications in my opinion and is recommended as a classic of the genre.

I'm typically a huge fan of Williamson. I've devoured a significant number of his books. However, this particular one simply failed to captivate me.

It is indeed written skillfully. The story holds a certain level of interest.

I might have been inclined to award it three stars were it not for one small yet crucial aspect. The presence of animal cruelty and torture throughout the book is truly off-putting. This single factor can turn me away from a book more rapidly than anything else. Strangely enough, if the acts of cruelty had been directed towards people, it wouldn't have affected me to the same extent.

But seriously, does the author really have to resort to having the arch-villain torture kittens just to convey the point? Alright, we understand that she is evil. Can we please move on?

The book was actually painful to read due to this disturbing element.