Re-reading James Herbert #3 - The Survivor (1976)

I have to admit that I hadn’t actually read this book before, so I was going into it with an open mind and a great deal of expectation. This would be Herbert’s third offering after the brilliant The Rats and the disappointing The Fog. Unfortunately, “The Survivor,” falls even further short of the high expectations set by The Rats.

With an intriguing premise and the potential for intense suspense, the book initially promises an engrossing experience. Regrettably, it fails to deliver on multiple fronts, leaving readers underwhelmed and dissatisfied.

One of the most glaring issues with The Survivor is its lacklustre character development. The protagonist, Adrian, is a war veteran who miraculously survives a horrific plane crash. While this premise holds promise for exploring themes of resilience and trauma, Herbert fails to delve deep into Adrian's psyche. The character remains shallow and devoid of emotional depth, leaving readers detached and uninvested in his journey. Without a compelling protagonist to root for, the narrative struggles to gain momentum.

Another notable weakness lies in the book's pacing. While a slow-burning story can be effective in building tension, The Survivor succumbs to a plodding and meandering plot. Herbert's excessive attention to mundane details and mundane conversations hinders the book's ability to maintain a sense of urgency. The narrative frequently loses its grip on the reader, resulting in long stretches of tedium. Even when the horror elements finally emerge, they feel disjointed and hastily inserted, further exacerbating the pacing issues.

Additionally, the supporting characters are one-dimensional and unmemorable. Their interactions with Adrian feel contrived and lacking in authenticity. Dialogue, an essential tool for character development, feels stilted and unrealistic, further diminishing the book's overall impact. Without well-crafted and relatable characters, it becomes challenging to fully immerse oneself in the story and its intended horrors.

Moreover, Herbert's attempt to incorporate supernatural elements feels forced and poorly executed. As the narrative unfolds, the supernatural occurrences become increasingly convoluted and lack a coherent explanation. The attempts at blending the supernatural with the real world come across as haphazard and confusing rather than intriguing or unsettling. Instead of enhancing the horror, these elements undermine the credibility of the plot and leave readers feeling perplexed and unsatisfied.

In terms of writing style, Herbert's prose remains serviceable but lacks the finesse and evocative descriptions found in his earlier works. The prose fails to evoke the chilling atmosphere that is characteristic of the horror genre, further dampening the book's impact. Readers are left craving the visceral and haunting imagery that has come to define Herbert's best works, only to be met with a disappointingly mundane and lacklustre narrative.

The Survivor ultimately fails to live up to the legacy established by James Herbert. While it possesses a promising premise, it falls short in execution. The lack of character development, sluggish pacing, weak supporting cast, and muddled supernatural elements combine to create an underwhelming reading experience. As for the ending, well less said about it the better.

I really wanted to like this book but regrettably, it fails to capitalise on its potential, and I gave it three stars, but I'm thinking that may have been generous.