When I first began listening to this book, it initially gave the impression of a noir type fantasy, similar to that of Indiana Jones.

However, it didn't take a great deal of time for me to come to the realization that it is, in fact, a remarkable urban fantasy pioneer.

In this unique tale, darkness and the supernatural converge in a college town, creating a captivating and mysterious atmosphere.

The story is told in a masterful way, with fast-paced action that keeps the listener on the edge of their seat.

Moreover, the plot is truly one-of-a-kind and has yet to be equaled in its originality and complexity.

Overall, this book is a must-read for any fan of urban fantasy or those looking for a thrilling and engaging story.

They don't always howl at the moon, but they do only come out at night. They take on all sorts of shapes, sometimes there and sometimes not-there, always ready to kill, and they have been ready since the beginning of mankind. They are The Enemy, a threat to both humans and canines alike. They are masters of atomic probability, capable of turning metal into mist and walking through walls. They can pick just the right place for an unfortunate accident, whether it's a bloody car crash or a great fall from a high place. Only silver holds them back.

The plot of this story is truly fantastic. The pacing is expert, with the story moving forward as if it has a definite destination and should have arrived there yesterday. The prose crackles and pops, making the reading experience exciting. The descriptions of transformation, of what it feels like to be a wolf, a sabretooth, a giant snake, or an ancient flying saurian, are brilliantly done. Williamson really gets into the details.

However, the writing is not always outstanding. The "hero" is as interesting and dynamic as a soppy mop. This idiot mewls like a kitten to a beyond-eye-rolling degree. Seriously, how many dreams does he have to have that seem to have actually occurred, down to the last detail, until he realizes that these are not dreams? Well, apparently nine-tenths of a novel's worth. He needs to get a grip and stop moaning about it, like a Princess Crybaby.

I also really didn't enjoy how the novel rationalizes the burning of witches, the burning of Joan of Arc, and the Inquisition. Reading that gave me a visceral and verbal reaction. I yelled "BOOO! LAME!" to no one in particular, startling my cat awake. Sorry, Digsy.

I got the nagging feeling while reading this that it should've been better than what it was.

It started off so well, with its mysterious woman and promise of some great mystery - but that mystery largely evaporated a third of the way into the book.

While it never turned into a stock monster/vampire tale, I felt it was lacking, and most of that lacking lay in the character of Will Barbee, who spent the entire book in denial.

There's a certain misogyny about the whole thing too, even accounting for its 1948 vintage. Williamson refers to April Bell throughout as a "white bitch", and while he means it as a matter-of-fact descriptor for her lycanthrope state, the term and its 21st century connotations can't be easily put aside.

He plays April as the great evil seducer, an amoral Whore of Babylon leering into the face of poor Will Barbee and teasing him.

But as I said, most of this novel's problem is Barbee himself, drifting about in complete and abject denial of the reality that's brutally in his face.

His abnegation of reality becomes annoying quickly, and as a result the novel suffers.

Withal, I can see why this work is regarded as a classic of dark fantasy, but it's difficult to read it without allowing 21st century sensibilities and mores to intrude.

The story had so much potential at the beginning, with the alluring mystery of the woman and the anticipation of a thrilling mystery unfolding. However, as the book progressed, that initial promise seemed to fade away.

The character of Will Barbee was a major let-down. His constant denial of the obvious reality around him made it hard to empathize with him or fully engage with the story.

The misogynistic undertones, although perhaps understandable in the context of the time it was written, still grate on modern sensibilities.

Overall, while the novel has its merits and is considered a classic, it's not without its flaws.

A gripping, humane story that isn't dated at all. It presents a very interesting and unique perspective on lycanthropy. This is not just any ordinary tale about werewolves; it delves deep into the人性 and emotions of the characters involved. The story manages to bring a fresh and engaging take on a well-known concept, making it stand out from the rest.

The author's writing style is captivating, drawing the reader in from the very beginning and keeping them hooked until the end. The details are vivid, allowing the reader to truly imagine the world and the characters within it. It's a story that makes you think and feel, and it stays with you long after you've finished reading.

In conclusion, this is the best story about lycanthropy that I have ever read or seen. It's a true masterwork that showcases the author's talent and creativity. If you're a fan of horror or supernatural stories, then this is definitely one that you don't want to miss.

Definitely worth reading. The story has an irresistible charm that pulls you in deeper and deeper. It flows with absolute perfection, making it almost impossible to stop once you've started.

However, the only thing I felt was a bit of a lag is that it's not the most ideal book to read when you're in a great state of frustration. I had to take several breaks just to fully digest the profoundness of the story and how it related to my own reality. At one point, I found myself becoming even more worried about Will Barbie than about myself.

Despite this minor drawback, I still gave the story a 5/5 rating because it is truly one of the finest novels I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It has a unique ability to engage the reader on multiple levels and leave a lasting impression.

5.0 to 5.5 stars.

I just completed rereading this FANTASY CLASSIC, having first read it over 10 years ago. As great as I recalled it being then, I must have read it too hastily and not grasped all the subtleties because this time around, I ABSOLUTELY ADORED IT!! Originally published in 1948, this novel is one of the definitive tales about werewolves. I firmly believe it offers the most intriguing explanation for Homo lycanthropus that I've ever encountered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PLOT

Will Barbee is a correspondent for a local paper. At the start of the story, Will is at the airport covering the return from Mongolia of a scientific expedition that has been exploring ancient ruins. The expedition has informed the press that they've made a discovery that will "change everything" and impact all of mankind, and they plan to reveal their discovery immediately as they fear they may be in danger from what they term "the ancient enemy."

The expedition was led by Will's former professor, and the other members are all close friends of Will's. In fact, Will had initially studied with the professor at the university and had expected to accompany the group on the expedition. However, after conducting a standard medical examination on Will, the professor refused to let him join and effectively dismissed him from the team without any explanation. This left Will with very bitter feelings towards the professor whom he once admired.

At the airport, Will meets April Bell, a reporter from another paper covering the same story. Will is instantly drawn to April, yet he senses something "very dark" about her. April also appears hostile towards the members of the expedition.

Prior to making their discovery public, the professor dies of seemingly natural causes. However, Will (for various reasons I won't disclose) suspects April Bell. Subsequently, Will becomes determined to uncover the truth about both (i) the expedition's discovery and (ii) what happened to the professor.

That is the basic premise of the story and sets the stage for the remainder of the novel, but all of that occurs in the first chapter of the book. Regarding the rest of the story, it's difficult to discuss without revealing spoilers, so I'll attempt to be very general. Despite Will's suspicions of April, he becomes increasingly attracted/obsessed with her. He also begins to have vivid dreams of transforming into an animal and stalking members of the expedition with April. As more and more members of the expedition start to die in mysterious circumstances, Will's hold on reality begins to slip, and he becomes increasingly unsure of what is real and what isn't, to the extent that he believes he's going insane.

This is what the story is truly about. Will's personal journey from the beginning of the novel to the astonishing ending. However, along the way, there are numerous fascinating ideas and plot points that made me never want to put the book down, including (1) an amazing "scientific" explanation for the basis of supernatural abilities that involves the manipulation of probabilities and (2) the "history" of an ancient war from hundreds of thousands of years ago that explains the origin of all of mankind's nightmare creatures (vampires, werewolves, demons, ogres, dragons, etc.).

In conclusion, I thought this was an incredible read from start to finish and is clearly among the top two books that Jack Williamson ever wrote (The Humanoids: A Novel being the only other possible contender). In the introduction to this novel, Jack Williamson said that this story was his most "personal" story, and I felt that came through in the writing. HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION!!

Obviously, styles change over time. It would be churlish to downgrade my rating for "Darker Than You Think" without considering its age. However, there are still a few annoying flaws in the prose. Repetitive terms and descriptions are the main issues. When combined with a rather lacklustre main character, it results in a tale that didn't really engage me.

On the positive side, there are some interesting ideas and a fairly tight plot. But overall, it's not a book that I'll be eager to revisit. I'm giving it 2 and a half stars, which I've rounded up to 3 because I'm in a good mood today. Maybe others will have a different perspective and find more to enjoy in this story.

This is an excellent atmospheric dark fantasy novel that truly stands out.

It contains a sufficient amount of SF elements, which prevent it from simply drifting into the horror range.

The scene where the main character first transforms is truly unforgettable. It is filled with such vivid details and a sense of mystery that it leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

The title of the novel, in a way, sums up my reaction to the ending. It is as if the title holds a hidden meaning that only becomes clear once you reach the conclusion.

The story takes you on a thrilling journey through a world of darkness and fantasy, with unexpected twists and turns along the way.

Overall, it is a captivating read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

2.5 stars.

Was this book darker than I thought? No.

In fact, I found that nothing much was more than it seemed. The plot points are highly predictable, and the reader is essentially spoon-fed throughout the entire book. The main protagonist is dumbed down to such an extent that his profession as a journalist appears highly improbable. It's rather ironic considering the book itself discusses probability so much.

I didn't have high expectations for this book, and as such, I wasn't disappointed. It was an impulse find in a second-hand bookshop - I daresay it will find its way back there soon.

All the negativity aside, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a couple of quotes that were actually quite profound.

" 'I'm not a religious man, Mr Barbee - I reject the supernatural, and my own rational philosophy is founded on proven science. But I still believe in hell.'

The dark man smiled.

'For every man manufactures his own private hell and people it with demons of his own creation, to torment him for his own secret sins, imagined or real.' "

This book had more of a vintage sci-fi feel than I was anticipating, which actually worked in its favor for me. It wasn't simply a case of rabid werewolves running amok.

Would I recommend it? Not really. Am I likely to read another book by this author? I highly doubt it. But thanks all the same, Jack. You put out something different, and for the time, it was quite original.

It started out so well. The perfectly suspenseful opening scene immediately hooked me.

And then, the mysterious female explained what she was. Spoiler alert: she was not a werewolf. This is not a book about werewolves, despite what the cover and summary and reviews suggest. From then on, the novel got increasingly frustrating.

The main character is insufferable and unbelievable. He’s supposed to be smart, yet it takes him almost the entire novel to figure out what the reader already figured out in the first quarter. For a moment, I thought that this was one of those novels that lead the reader into thinking they knew for certain what was going on, only to crush those expectations and blow their mind with new information. It was not. It was exactly as I had suspected all along. How uninteresting.

I also couldn't deal with the ‘scientific’ explanations of the characters’ supernatural powers. As if that wasn't tedious enough, those scientific explanations are revealed to be a part of a totalising theory about two races continually at war. All great mythical stories are linked back to this theory. Not to mention things like the Inquisition, which this theory justifies. Sigh. I’ll just attribute this to the time in which the novel was written.

It was not all bad though. Many descriptions were great. Without being too long-winded, they painted vivid pictures in your mind. The descriptions of the violence were perfectly gruesome. Only sometimes descriptive phrases were overused. After a certain point, every time I read “sleek white bitch” or “linkage of probability” I wanted to fling the book against the wall. Or out of the window. Or into a volcano.

Going back to the positive, the pacing was well done. The story consistently keeps building. Important information is withheld until the right moment. The tantalising question of ‘But, what’s in the box?!’ kept me reading until the end.

That’s all I got. Why people consider this one of the best werewolf novels is beyond me. I mean, it had its moments, but overall, it just didn't live up to my expectations. Maybe if I had gone into it with different expectations, I would have enjoyed it more. But as it stands, I can't say that I would recommend this book to others.

Su voz se elevó clara y nítida por encima del ruido de los coches. Era como una campana de oro, más penetrante que una ocasional bocina o que el lejano rumor de un tranvía. Vibraba a través de la noche, en las olas de pura luz verde, como su mirada de malaquita. Después creyó verla, aunque no sabía cómo, al otro extremo de la ciudad. Pero ya no tenía apariencia de mujer.

Una de mis últimas lecturas del año ha sido este clásico de la fantasía de Jack Williamson. Leyendo acerca del autor, he descubierto que, siendo un autor principalmente dedicado a la autoría de space-operas en los años cuarenta del siglo pasado, fue el que acuñó por primera vez el término “terraformación” tan usado ahora en ciencia ficción en un cuento suyo llamado Astounding (1942).

En esta ocasión no nos habla del espacio. Nuestro protagonista, Will Barbee, es un periodista alcohólico que se ve envuelto en una trama. Algunos amigos suyos arqueólogos han descubierto una peligrosa arma prehistórica que puede cambiar el rumbo de la humanidad. Pero quizás no en el sentido que pensáis. Will se ve arrojado a una nueva y extraña realidad. Inmerso en lo que cree que es una paranoia o una enfermedad mental, el bien y el mal parecen confundirse en su cabeza hasta un final que no puedo decir que sea inesperado, porque resulta todo bastante previsible.

Probablemente no sea su mejor libro. La narración es “viejuna” pero no podemos olvidar que fue escrito en 1940. Me resulta un poco excesivo en descripciones e infodumping y los personajes son bastante estereotipados. Con un estilo narrativo más actual, quizás se “mostraría más y se diría menos”. No obstante, lo recomiendo a los amantes de la fantasía por lo que significa en la historia de este género como mezcla de terror clásico y fantasía paranoide con algún punto de ciencia ficción.

¿Conocíais esta novela? Yo supe de ella en un taller de narrativa fantástica. Gracias a mis profesores de @cajadeletras por la recomendación.

What I liked most about this book,

despite the dated prose and setting, is that it effectively merges the Homo Lycanthropus with Homo Sapiens.

This merger results in a coherent explanation about the influence of the Lycantrope on human history.

The author skillfully weaves together the characteristics and behaviors of these two species, showing how they interacted and shaped the course of human events.

It is fascinating to see how the Lycantrope's unique abilities and traits had an impact on various aspects of human life, such as culture, society, and even warfare.

Although the concept of the Homo Lycanthropus may seem far-fetched to some, the book presents a compelling argument that makes it seem almost plausible.

Overall, this aspect of the book is what truly sets it apart and makes it a captivating read for those interested in both history and the supernatural.