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The House on the Borderland
The House on the Borderland
A classic novel that bridges the gap between late 19th century British works in the supernatural or fantastic vein, and modern horror fiction. Listed as one of H.P. Lovecraft's favorite works.
Book Excerpt
uld see no signs of anything to show that there had ever been a building erected on the spot, and I grew more puzzled than ever.
Then, I heard a cry from Tonnison; he was shouting my name, excitedly, and, without delay, I hurried along the rocky promontory to the ruin. I wondered whether he had hurt himself, and then the thought came, that perhaps he had found something.
I reached the crumbled wall, and climbed round. There, I found Tonnison standing within a small excavation that he had made among the debris: he was brushing the dirt from something that looked like a book, much crumpled and dilapidated; and opening his mouth, every second or two, to bellow my name. As soon as he saw that I had come, he handed his prize to me, telling me to put it into my satchel so as to protect it from the damp, while he continued his explorations. This I did, first, however, running the pages through my fingers, and noting that they were closely filled with neat, old-fashioned writing which was quite legible,
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Readers reviews
4.1
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I was bored out of my skull by this Wells-esque story. It is not sci-fi, and there is no real plot. The author just describes a sequence of events. I skipped over 90 percent of the text from sheer boredom.
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(1907) Horror (Demons) / Occult
R: * * * * *
Plot bullets
A diary is found at the ruins of an old house.
That diary is very disturbing, if what it reveals, is true.
It relates the battle one man has with daemons and his own sanity.
Disturbing visions are the least of this man\'s worries.
There are physical beings with which to contend.
Has unbelievable evil found the divide between their world and this?
Does this house hide the passage between our world and the daemons of hell itself?
Can that boundary be breached at The House on the Borderland?
R: * * * * *
Plot bullets
A diary is found at the ruins of an old house.
That diary is very disturbing, if what it reveals, is true.
It relates the battle one man has with daemons and his own sanity.
Disturbing visions are the least of this man\'s worries.
There are physical beings with which to contend.
Has unbelievable evil found the divide between their world and this?
Does this house hide the passage between our world and the daemons of hell itself?
Can that boundary be breached at The House on the Borderland?
01/26/2014
This is a book that does not fit well into a single genre classification. There are elements of horror, sci-fi, spiritualism, mysticism, philosophy, religion. It is a strange and unique series of very engrossing visions. Although the portrayal of events is vivid and at times very frightening, much is left to the reader's interpretation. Highly recommended if you are looking for something different.
12/10/2011
Dont read this book if you're not aiming for OUT OF THIS WORLD CRAZY.
I can't make up my mind as to whether i like it or not... But one thing, it does make an impression!!
Sci-fi fans are most likely to enjoy it.
I can't make up my mind as to whether i like it or not... But one thing, it does make an impression!!
Sci-fi fans are most likely to enjoy it.
11/25/2010
I read this book soley on the reviews listed for it, but I must say I found the story to be at first intriguing, then strange, then utterly psychodelic. I am used to reading "literal" horror/mystery stories and I suppose in this particular book I should have been more open to ... metaphorical imagery? I admit I skimmed through a great deal of pages after the part where time began to speed up because it wasn't really making sense to me.
Although it wasn't a favorite, it obviously made an impression on me as I'm still thinking about the events that transpired!
Although it wasn't a favorite, it obviously made an impression on me as I'm still thinking about the events that transpired!
11/22/2010
I was about 11 ( I am now 49) when I choose this book. For the creepy cover, with a house shaped as a skull with ghouls and corpes coming out of it with eerie surrondings on a silver cover! I wasn't allowed to read this until a few years later, and I thank my parents so much for that.
It terrified me and inspired me in equal measure, I then went on to write the most macabre and menacing stories and poetry! I lent this book to one of my parents friends and never got it back and over the years searched a large number of book stalls and second hand shops in the hope I will come across it again. Now thanks to the internet this looks imminent, and to spook another generation!!
It terrified me and inspired me in equal measure, I then went on to write the most macabre and menacing stories and poetry! I lent this book to one of my parents friends and never got it back and over the years searched a large number of book stalls and second hand shops in the hope I will come across it again. Now thanks to the internet this looks imminent, and to spook another generation!!
11/18/2010
The first half of this story was gripping. The second half seemed to meander and was somewhat repetitive.
06/06/2009
I discovered this book 35 years ago. My copy is falling apart with age, but I keep it safe in a glass book case with my rarest of book treasures. House on the Borderland was the scariest book, the most engrossing sci fi I have ever read.
I am not a re-reader of books generally speaking, but I just finished reading it again for the 8th or 9th time. I read it aloud to my son when he was a kid. He was creeped out just as much as I had been and still enjoys the book as well. What a book!
Wouldn't this make a great, great movie if it followed the book? I have often thought how it would appear on film....but even if it would be filmed, it would never have the same effect as the printed word on the imagination.
Sadly, I have tried reading other books by Hodgeson, but they pale by comparison. I believe there is a mystique in it by its being a touted as coming from a discovered "ms" and at no time does this book suggest that it is fiction.
And finally, has anyone seen a cover that does the book justice?
JS
I am not a re-reader of books generally speaking, but I just finished reading it again for the 8th or 9th time. I read it aloud to my son when he was a kid. He was creeped out just as much as I had been and still enjoys the book as well. What a book!
Wouldn't this make a great, great movie if it followed the book? I have often thought how it would appear on film....but even if it would be filmed, it would never have the same effect as the printed word on the imagination.
Sadly, I have tried reading other books by Hodgeson, but they pale by comparison. I believe there is a mystique in it by its being a touted as coming from a discovered "ms" and at no time does this book suggest that it is fiction.
And finally, has anyone seen a cover that does the book justice?
JS
04/07/2009
a Horror Masterpiece!
01/24/2009
This is one of the creepiest, moodiest books I've ever read. I couldn't put it down! I finished reading it at about 3am, and then I was too spooked to sleep!
EXCELLENT!
EXCELLENT!
11/20/2006