In the Night Wood is a book that I finished with mixed feelings.  On the one hand I loved the gothic premise, the idea of an old mansion and an enchanted forest.  The writing is really impressive and there are so many bookish quotes and references that you couldn’t throw a stick around these pages without hitting something of note.  It’s also a relatively quick read and I can’t deny that the idea of the dark forest that seems to almost have a mind of it’s own left me deeply intrigued – not to mention a huge antlered beast.

So, why the mixed feelings.  In a nutshell the main protagonist was really difficult for me to like – in fact I didn’t like him at all.  He’s a raging MCP who felt massively out of sync with the modern world in which he’s living.  I think this is the closest I’ve come in a long while to having the irrational urge to throw my kindle across the room.

The book gets off to a good start.  We learn of Charles who since being a young boy has had a fascination with a novel named In the Night Wood.  The book, written by a Victorian author, has gained a cult like status, it’s creepy and almost sinister nature belying what appears to be a children’s story at first glance.  Time moves on apace and Charles meets a young woman, unbelievably a distant relative of Caedmon Hollow – the legendary author of Charles most favourite book, it seems fated that the two should fall desperately in love.

Time then moves forward again, things have spiralled out of control for Charles and his wife.  Their young daughter dies in a tragic accident and at the same time it becomes apparent that Charles has been having an affair with one of his fellow academic colleagues.  He takes a leave of absence from work (at the polite but insistent request of his superiors) and his situation looks dire indeed until his wife unexpectedly inherits Hollow House and the two leave America to take up residence in the huge dusty mansion that will become their home.  For Charles this spells the start of a new beginning.  He’s writing a biography about Caedmon Hollow and what better inspiration could he hope for than living in the author’s own home, surrounded by the dark forest that plays such a huge role in the original tale, plus who knows what he’ll find lurking in those old closed up rooms?

You have to admit this has a great premise and there are plenty of inspirational moments during the read.  I liked the author’s style although I think he can occasionally become a little more wordy than is really necessary.  There is atmosphere and folklore thrown into the mix and even a quaint little village.  But, Charles just got on my last nerve.  I can’t lie.  And, maybe it shouldn’t matter, but I couldn’t get past it.  I would explain why but frankly that direction would just lead to a massive rant which I don’t think would be helpful.  Suffice to say Charles changed the read for me and every time I started to sink into the story he would say or do something unbelievable or ridiculously maddening and tear me straight out of my wormhole.

So, was this a bad book?  No it wasn’t, but at the same time it ultimately wasn’t for me.  On a different note, whilst this book didn’t quite work out I would certainly like to try more by this author.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.