Revelator by Daryl Gregory

​I discovered Daryl Gregory a while back. And promptly read every single book of his available. Because he’s just that good of a writer. When it comes to literary horror, Gregory’s about as good as it gets. (The guy is my second favorite Daryl, after Daryl Dixon, obviously).The things Gregory does with genre’s standards are strikingly original. And so, naturally I was excited for this book, saved it for my birthday in fact as a sort of gift for myself – a guaranteed good read.
And sure enough, a good read. Inspired by his family’s history (generations of Gregorys from the cove of their own), this spin on folk horror is as literary and atmospheric and disturbing as any you’re likely to find out there.
Through split timelines, the story takes you from 1930s to 1948, while staying in Appalachia’s backwoods the entire time. It follows a protagonist, an heir to a terrifying matrilineal family legacy of being the Revelators (speakers for) a mountain dwelling creature the locals revere.
A protagonist who got away, build a new life brewing and selling booze, and yet finds herself drawn back home to reckon with her past once and for all. To deal with the creature so awesome named Ghostdaddy.
So spooky, so creepy, so good. And that’s just the horror element. It’s also an intricately woven tapestry of a terrific character-driven literary drama of families and obligations and devotion.
It’s all so good…and yet, it read so slowly. Curiously slowly. No idea why.
Immersive, dark, transporting…all the things a literary horror work ought to do (all the things a great book ought to do, really), but very leisurely or maybe measuredly paced. Visit, if you dare, the Appalachia steeped in myth and darkness.
Good to see Gregory still got game. Recommended.