First setting: an all-male prep school in Arizona, where two sensitive freshmen form a bond based on their interest in magic tricks. Second setting: the labyrinthine house of a weird magician uncle in New England, where the two boys spend a memorable summer being trained in the art of illusion. Or is it real magic? Third setting: an alternate world where dark forces are at play - forces that first show up at the school, but intensify their power throughout the summer. Only one of them will make it through
--This text refers to the
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First setting: an all-male prep school in Arizona, where two sensitive freshmen form a bond based on their interest in magic tricks. Second setting: the labyrinthine house of a weird magician uncle in New England, where the two boys spend a memorable summer being trained in the art of illusion. Or is it real magic? Third setting: an alternate world where dark forces are at play--forces that first show up at the school, but intensify their power the summer. Shadowland is a superb, under-recognized, early novel from a master of literary terror. Get it while it's back in print!
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
'Frightening enough to jolt even the most jaded ghost story addict. Straub can write superb horror.' Washington Post 'Intriguing and appealing! poised and accomplished.' Sunday Times 'Truly fantastic! a work of literary magic.' Miami Herald 'Creepy from page one! a grand slam! I loved it.' STEPHEN KING
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First Sentence
The last day of summer vacation: high cloudless skies, dry intense heat; endings and beginnings, deaths and promises, hover regretfully in the air. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
The last day of summer vacation: high cloudless skies, dry intense heat; endings and beginnings, deaths and promises, hover regretfully in the air. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I have been reading since a young age, and this is quite simply my favorite book. Some books tend to meander all over the place; others tend to load up on the details to try and fill out a sparse story wihch would be better off a short story. Not so with Shadowland, a truly monumental literary accomplishment which is completely under-rated. The massive amount of details in the story help to bring the story to life, to bring the reader closer into the story.
Shadowland is not for everyone. But if you are on the same wavelength as the story you will find what is easily the finest piece of writing in existance. The magnitude and depth of the story, the only other books I can think of comparing would be Tarot by Piers Anthony or the Dark Tower series by Stephen King; IF he gets the totally extraneous side plotline books out of the way!
It is a true shame that Straub's other works get more attention, I consider Shadowland to be his absolute finest masterpiece. This book really does belong to the ages.
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This was a favorite book of mine when it came out (I was in junior high when it came out in paperback the first time). It is creepy, full of magic & menace, and quite well written. (As an adult, I did notice a glaring point of view problem in the first part of the book--see if you can find it). It's the story of two boys who become friends at a private school amidst strange goings on. They spend the summer together in New Hampshire with the uncle of one of the boys who happens to be the world's greatest (sinister) magician. This is one of Straub's best to date and probably one of his two or three least known books. Give it a try!
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This got me started on Peter Straub. I read Ghost Story, Koko, Mystery, and If you could see me now all because of Shadowland. I could not put this book down. It is easily the most unsettling book I have ever read and I don't think Straub has reached this level of intensity ever again.
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4.1 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Shadowland...
I read this book in high school and had no trouble understanding it. Those reviewers who suggest a Stephen King novel over Shadowland obviously have problems with stories that have... Read more
Published on Feb 5 2004 by varnya
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good writing to get lost in
If you are a fan of Stephen King or J.K. Rowling and have read all their stuff too many times, this is a fair substitute. Read more
Published on Feb 5 2004 by Tiffany Delahunt
5.0 out of 5 stars
High-end horror
Shadowland, by Peter Straub, is a piece of really excellent high-end horror. The book begins in a private prep school for boys. Read more
Published on Nov 26 2003 by Tammy L. Schilling
5.0 out of 5 stars
My copy is battered
I re-read this book about once a year. It is a fascinating interwoven story of fairy tales, magic, coming-of-age and the loss of innocence. Read more
Published on Oct 27 2003 by Stacey DuFord
4.0 out of 5 stars
a review without a catchy title
I enjoyed this book. It was the first Peter Straub I have read, and since then I have also read Houses Without Doors. Read more
Published on Oct 5 2003 by Daniel J. Bishop
3.0 out of 5 stars
It's pretty good
"Shadowland" tells the story of a young man who becomes a man at a mansion of magick. A young man accompanies his prep school roomate to his uncle's house, who is actually a... Read more
Published on Sep 26 2003 by Vagabond77
4.0 out of 5 stars
The first rule of Magic
I bought this book after reading The Talisman, which Straub cowrote with Stephen King, and I loved it. Read more
Published on Aug 9 2003 by Nicholas May
5.0 out of 5 stars
Disturbing---in a good way.
I completely agree with a previous comment about this novel making a great film. I would love to see some of those fantastic scenes played out on the big screen. Read more
Published on Mar 22 2003
1.0 out of 5 stars
A Disconnected, Cumbersome Book
This book is one of the most poorly written books I have read in a long time. Straub shifts between present day and the 1950's so often and irregularly that the reader is left... Read more
Published on Feb 14 2003 by James H. Wasilko
1.0 out of 5 stars
A Disconnected, Cumbersome Book,
This is one of the most poorly organized books I have read in a long time. Straub shifts between present day and the 1950's so often it becomes very difficult to follow the... Read more
Published on Feb 14 2003 by James H. Wasilko
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