Once...

Title: Once...

Author: James Herbert

Published in: 2001

Date read: 26th January 2010

Score: 4/5

Genre:

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Once..." by James Herbert, published in 1993, is a standalone fantasy-horror novel blending ancient mythology and folklore with a primal sense of dread. It’s a dark fairytale exploring innocence lost and nature’s revenge.

The story centres on Thom Kindred, a cynical young Londoner who inherits an old cottage in the remote, forgotten English village of Wylding. Thom, a pragmatist, is immediately unsettled by the cottage's strange atmosphere and the intensely alive, ancient woodlands surrounding it.

He quickly learns that the local inhabitants are deeply superstitious, fearing the woods and its history. They speak of ancient beings, pagan rituals, and a "Great Mother" entity that demands respect, even sacrifice. Thom also encounters Nell, a mysterious young woman with an unusual connection to the land's spirits.

As Thom tries to renovate his cottage, he inadvertently disturbs something malevolent in the woods. The seemingly benevolent nature turns sinister: trees appear to move, whispers emanate from shadows, and animals behave unnaturally. A sense of growing dread and isolation permeates the narrative.

The local superstitions about the "Great Mother" and its powerful "sons" manifest as terrifying realities. Thom finds himself caught in a battle between these ancient, vengeful forces of nature and the last remnants of humanity in Wylding. He must abandon his cynicism to comprehend the primal power actively trying to drive him out, or worse.

The novel builds to a horrifying climax where Thom faces the full, terrifying might of these ancient, nature-based entities. "Once..." is an atmospheric and unsettling horror story, tapping into primordial fears and the brutal power of the natural world when disturbed. It's a unique and haunting addition to Herbert's work, blending traditional horror with mythological fantasy.

Comments:
This is a great story that I really enjoyed. I feel better now (fifteen years later) that I understand that in my head I had mixed this book up with The Magic Cottage, for reasons that you will hopefully see from the title. Highly recommend, I adore mythology and ancient folklore.

Books that we've read by James Herbert (20):
The Rats (Rats, #1) (1974), The Fog (1975), The Survivor (1976), Fluke (1977), The Spear (1978), Lair (Rats, #2) (1979), The Dark (1980), Jonah (1981), Shrine (1983), Domain (Rats, #3) (1983), Moon (1985), Magic Cottage (1986), Sepulchre (1987), Haunted (David Ash, #1) (1988), The Ghosts Of Sleath (David Ash, #2) (1994), Others (1999), Once... (2001), Nobody True (2003), The Secret of Crickley Hall (2006), Ash (David Ash, #3) (2012)