Hollow

As a writer (he is also a fine art sculptor) Brain Catling is at his most expansive in The Vorrh trilogy, but he is equally creative in shorter works like Earwig. Hollow is another fabulous creation, creating a world so unsettling that it's not one you'd particularly want to revisit in a trilogy.It indeed starts out like a fable, one set in medieval times, where Follett and his group of mercenaries and knights of seemingly Dutch or Flemish origin have been tasked by the High Church with delivering a new oracle to the monastery of the Eastern Gate, Das Kagel, formerly known as the Tower of Babel. The nature of the Blessed Oracle is a little obscure but also somewhat disturbing. A creature of withered limbs, it feeds on the marrow of human bones treated fresh by the whispered sins of the Follett's men, who have "a depth of sin and crime to draw from". All however is similarly unsettling and sinister in the Monastery of the Eastern Gate.There are all manner of Gothic horror subplots and fantasy elements elsewhere on Hollow. The writing strikes a superb balance between those two styles, creating vivid images. And if the world around them isn't surreal enough, imagine what the dreams Catling describes for them are like. Well, it eventually becomes difficult to tell dreams and reality apart as Woebegots, otherwise knows as Filthlings start to appear and be developing or imitating human characteristics.It's apparent that the Woebegots are like creatures out of paintings by Heronymus Bosch. Whether these creatures have been conjured out of those paintings, have been given birth from the imagination of the painter, or whether they have appeared from a portal of Hell is a mystery, but they don't bode anything good. That seems to be the inspiration for Catling this time and he seems to enjoy bringing those paintings to life in the period they are created.

One of those books where the author is cleverer and more knowledgeable than I am. I knew a very little of the hististorica! Setting; just about enough to understand the plot. A book i enjoyed.

I enjoyed the Audiobok so much I have just bought the hardback edition for pure, visceral pleasure.The author has a deliciously grotesque imagination, and this horrible tale of a second coming with unintended consequences should definitely be read by squeamish people who secretly enjoy it!