I reserve the right to give this one three and a half stars.

Ooh boy! This is a toughie.

Early on at least, I really relished the 'pulpy' writing style in Darker Than You Think. The opening airport scene was truly terrific. It managed to draw me into the story with great effectiveness. I also took great delight in the pseudo scientific theories that were employed to explain a significant portion of the plot. Hey, a secret and ancient cabal brimming with malice and ill intent, that definitely appeals to me!

Moreover, as someone who is well-versed in astral/etheric projection and the instances where it has been used to account for werewolf-ism, I adored the premise.

However, having said all of this, I felt that a great idea was marred by poor execution. The plot lacked any surprises and essentially revealed itself almost right from the start. Additionally, I despised Will Barbee with a vengeance. Our protagonist (Barbee) is portrayed as a spineless, gullible, and downright dumb-ass moron who is far too easily swayed to turn against his friends and loved ones.

This could have potentially been a five-star read, but unfortunately, it fell waaayyy(!) short of that mark.

Desperate! The situation of reporter Barbee is becoming more and more desperate. How would it be to live a completely different life in dreams? So far, it's okay, but what if it turns out that you also behave like someone different, and on top of that, you don't like that someone!? Now imagine that the dreams become reality... It turns out to be a real nightmare. A novel that seemed very short to me, but really captivating. It's great how until almost the last moment, it clings to a rational explanation of the supernatural events or even to the hypothesis of its own madness. It tries to hold on to the doubt, but the more it behaves like Will Barbee, the more it helps its other self.

The historical-mythological background is also very good. I love it when the author presents a clever idea and supports it with all the ancient legends and myths, making them fit perfectly with each other :) And with a bit of talk (quite convincing) about physics and genetics too, haha.

One of the last dialogues killed me when they ask something like; What if he tells someone what he knows or writes it down? – Who would dare to believe a story like this? There is no danger, "they would treat it as a vulgar imaginative essay or as simple escapist literature" haha!! “…reality…as seen by a schizoid personality in the process of disintegration. The autobiography of a nervous depression…”

Has Williamson ever been diagnosed with something similar?:P

6/10. Media de los 7 libros leídos del autor : 6/10

This author has an average rating of 6/10 based on the 7 books that have been read.

Among them, "La legión del espacio" stands out for me.

It has a unique charm that attracts readers. The story is full of adventure and excitement, taking the readers on a thrilling journey through space.

The characters are well-developed and the plot is engaging, making it difficult to put the book down.

Although the average rating is 6/10, "La legión del espacio" definitely deserves a higher score in my opinion.

It is a must-read for fans of science fiction and adventure.

I've been delving into the captivating worlds of Science Fiction, Horror, and Fantasy masterworks this year. Jack Williamson, an author with a remarkable ability to traverse all these genres, has truly outdone himself with "Darker Than You Think".

The main character, Will Barbee, a newspaper reporter and former student of anthropologist Dr. Mondrick, embarks on a thrilling adventure. As the professor and his protégés return from a two-year expedition, Barbee encounters the mysterious red-headed April Bell. Her limited knowledge provides the author with the opportunity to unfold the back story gradually. Soon after, Mondrick and his students deplane with a strange crate of goods, and at a hastily arranged press conference, the professor meets a tragic end, his death exacerbated by cat allergies.

This story reads like a vivid screenplay, filled with rich descriptions of action and engaging dialogue. While most characters may seem fairly flat, Barbee and Bell are the central figures experiencing significant change. Although at times the plot can be a bit confusing, this wild adventure ultimately manages to find its way back to a coherent conclusion.

The dialogue scenes in the novel focus on Williamson's unique take on Lycanthropy, exploring its historical and environmental aspects. It's not just about werewolves; we also encounter tigers, snakes, and a plethora of mysterious beasts. I found this along with the pseudo-science discussions of probability to be particularly creative and engaging within the context of this tale.

My initial introduction to Jack Williamson was through short stories. As a teenager, I joined a SFF Book Club, and he was a popular choice among the members. The Science Fiction Writers of America rightfully recognized his talent by naming him their second Grand Master of Science Fiction in 1976. This novel is not only included in the list of Fantasy Masterworks but also in David Pringle's 100 Best Fantasy Novels. According to Wikipedia, there was a short story sequel written by Poul Anderson and published in a tribute to Jack Williamson in the 1990s, which I'm sure is also worth checking out.

I'm truly glad that I decided to read this story, and I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of Williamson's works in the near future. This novel is a solid four-star effort that has left me eager for more of his imaginative storytelling.

Overall, this is truly a remarkable book.

However, at certain points, it could have been more persuasive. The integration of hard (physics) and soft (anthropology) sciences is executed extremely well.

Nonetheless, it is simply not possible to believe that Will Barbee's "nightmares" are anything other than what actually happens to him.

The conclusion, too, appears rather hasty. The questions of why it is him and why the small town is involved are two major inquiries that receive quick and unfulfilling answers.

Although the plot follows a somewhat formulaic pattern, there are several excellent elements within it.

On the whole, it is an engaging and entertaining novel that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.

Despite its few flaws, it manages to offer an interesting exploration of various scientific and human themes.

It is a book that is definitely worth reading for those who enjoy a blend of science and fiction.

Characters that are less than three-dimensional and not exactly sympathetic made this one tough for me to plod through, even as short as it is.

The first 20 chapters could've been condensed somewhat and the story wouldn't have suffered. It felt as if there was a lot of unnecessary filler that could have been trimmed to make the narrative more streamlined.

The late chapter revealing the history of witches/lycanthropes was an interesting addition. It managed to make up for Barbee's duplicitous personality, which, despite the explanation given, still seemed a bit hokey to me. Additionally, the endlessly repetitive references to the "white bitch" became tiresome after a while.

Pulp fiction is pulp fiction, and I understand its nature. However, I somehow expected more from a work that has proven to be so influential. Overall, it's not a bad read, but there's definitely a lot that could have been improved upon with a little more time and effort put into it. Maybe a more in-depth exploration of the characters and a more refined plot would have made this a truly great piece of literature.

I really liked the story.

For me, it was something different on this topic and I felt a great sympathy for Rowena.

On the other hand, I hated every part where April appeared.

I think it could have had a 5, but the ending didn't excite me much.

The story had its own charm and the character of Rowena was well-developed.

Her emotions and experiences were relatable, which made me engage with the story on a deeper level.

However, the presence of April seemed to disrupt the flow and I found her character rather unlikable.

The ending, although it tied up the loose ends, lacked the wow factor that I was hoping for.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read, but it could have been even better with a more satisfying conclusion.

I listened to this as an audiobook, and it's probably not the ideal way to experience it. The dated sexism really stands out when hearing a man read all the women's parts in that drag queen tone that male audiobook readers often adopt. Moreover, the reader seemed overly excited when repeatedly using the word "bitch" to refer to April when she is the white wolf. I actually had to take a break from the book for a few days to cleanse my senses of the repeated "bitch" before getting back to it. However, I did return because there is a lot of inventive and classic noir elements that made the sexist undertones of the reading worth persevering through, at least for me.

As other reviewers have pointed out, Will Barbee is a real idiot, and that was initially very frustrating. But if you stick with the story, you'll come to appreciate that he's not just a moron; he's a deluded pawn, and his lapses in reason are clear evidence of April's power over him and, by extension, women's sexual power over men in general. It's to the author's credit that he never explicitly states that Will's stupidity is due to April's influence; it's more exciting to reach this conclusion on your own. However, leaving you to draw this conclusion means you spend a good 25% of the book yelling at the protagonist for being so incredibly stupid. It's a fascinating study in self-delusion.

The book feels rich with themes simmering beneath the surface, which Williamson explores in a way that's both refreshing and old-fashioned. For example, the way sexual attraction can emasculate men and how we often use psychobabble to shield ourselves from more disturbing and untamable realities.

I didn't love the book, but it was pleasantly odd and disarming in some good ways. The line "The witches who review books would doubtless dismiss it as a trivial bit of escapist fantasy" is really great! And all the stuff about the witches controlling science and academia to keep their secrets hidden - "Nowadays the witches in the university laboratories can prove there are no witches" - is just golden!

Hm, it's a bit of a mixed bag.

On the whole, I did like the book. However, there were quite a number of things in the story that I found rather distracting.

The opening scene was really well crafted. It did an excellent job of setting the scene and introducing the characters. Barbee's relationship with the Foundation was clearly established, and April Bell was presented as both attractive and yet very creepy and off-putting. I really appreciated that the witch cult was unapologetically evil. This might be partly due to my reaction to the modern-day redefinition of 'witch', but I liked this take as it made the story feel unique.

Overall, while the plot was somewhat predictable, I think it was well executed. Given how much I read, I was able to guess some of the central mysteries. But it was still well done and really emphasized Barbee's internal struggle. I just wish Barbee could grow a backbone, but that's another matter.

I also really liked the 'dream sequences'. They were written in a way that made things feel dreamlike and were quite well written. However, they did become predictable. Especially since I guessed the main twist related to them, so a second and third one felt unnecessary to me. But they were still entertaining to read.

Though it was frustrating how Barbee was so committed to doubting his experiences when it was pretty obvious to the reader what was going on. I suppose Barbee doesn't know he's in a horror book, but that was an aspect where I had to constantly remind myself to be patient with the book.

A captivating and engaging story of lycanthropy awaits. The premise is truly interesting, drawing the reader in from the very beginning. It explores the mysterious and often terrifying world of werewolves. We follow the journey of a protagonist who finds themselves thrust into this strange and dangerous existence. The story delves into the inner turmoil and conflict that comes with being a lycanthrope. How does one cope with the transformation that occurs under the full moon? What are the consequences of their actions in this altered state? As the plot unfolds, we are taken on a thrilling ride filled with suspense, action, and unexpected twists. The characters are well-developed, each with their own unique personalities and motives. We root for the protagonist as they struggle to come to terms with their new reality and fight to protect those they love. This story of lycanthropy is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you craving more.

"Darker Than You Think" is an outstanding and engaging little story that combines elements of werewolf, shapeshifter, and witch lore. It was first penned around 1940 and later expanded upon. I had the pleasure of reading this novel in the 1980's.

The main protagonist, Will Barbee, encounters April Bell at a news conference. She is seen carrying a small black kitten, which he later discovers has died mysteriously. Adding to the mystery, Mondrake, who called the news conference, also meets a mysterious end during the event.

Will begins to experience terrifying dreams in which he transforms into an animal and April is by his side. This leads to the question: are these events connected? What exactly is happening to Will and those around him?

The story builds suspense and intrigue as Will tries to uncover the truth behind these strange occurrences. With its unique blend of supernatural elements and a captivating plot, "Darker Than You Think" keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eager to find out what lies ahead.

Overall, it is a must-read for fans of the supernatural genre.

No está mal. In some parts of the story, especially at the beginning, the narration shocked me a little. However, perhaps it was more of a translation issue than anything else.

This book is a very nice science fiction story rather than a manual. It is pleasant but not brilliant either.

Overall, it has its own charm. The plot is engaging enough to keep the reader interested. The characters are also well-developed, although not overly complex. The author has managed to create a unique world with its own rules and concepts.

Despite its flaws, it is still a worthwhile read for fans of science fiction. It offers a different perspective and some interesting ideas. I would recommend it to those who are looking for a light and entertaining science fiction story.