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The Fisherman

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The Fisherman

By: John Langan
Narrated by: Danny Campbell
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In upstate New York, in the woods around Woodstock, Dutchman's Creek flows out of the Ashokan Reservoir. Steep-banked, fast-moving, it offers the promise of fine fishing, and of something more, a possibility too fantastic to be true. When Abe and Dan, two widowers who have found solace in each other's company and a shared passion for fishing, hear rumors of the Creek, and what might be found there, the remedy to both their losses, they dismiss it as just another fish story. 

Soon, though, the men find themselves drawn into a tale as deep and old as the Reservoir. It's a tale of dark pacts, of long-buried secrets, and of a mysterious figure known as Der Fischer: the Fisherman. It will bring Abe and Dan face to face with all that they have lost, and with the price they must pay to regain it. 

©2016 John Langan (P)2017 Tantor Horror Scary Sea Adventures Genre Fiction
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Critic reviews

"Shifting between past and present, Langan builds terrifying scenes...the mythology is genuinely creepy." ( Publishers Weekly)

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I really enjoyed this book for numerous reasons. The narrative changes between the two real timeline differences is subtle and well written as to really make this feel like two stories at once. It also keeps the reader with one foot in this reality with the historical references of the times, and one foot in the word of the terrible and unreal with great descriptions of the horrors abound in the vast expanse the author has created. Blurring the edges and overlap of the two worlds in an upsetting fashion. Plus, vast open water and the terrible unknown below the surface, is just kinda spooky on its own, so that helps things along.

A uncanny treat for genre fans

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Two very interesting storylines that suffer from their placement and individual length. Without too many spoilers, the placement of an entirely different background story, in the middle of the original (and ending) plot, makes both harder to follow than is necessary.

Decent story, hard to follow at times.

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I wanted to love this book. So many fellow horror enthusiasts have recommended this book and given it high praise. I was hooked in the beginning and really liked the main characters. I was interested in how they were going to explore the shared grief between the two men. And then the middle happened. And it kept happening.
The story within the story barrages you with lore and uninteresting characters and takes up almost the entirety of the book. It changes the tone of the book completely. I liked some of the horror elements. The ending was fine. But I had to stop listening to this book for a month or two because I was so incredibly bored by the middle section. This could've been a much better book if that hadn't been the main focus.

Good ideas, terrible pacing

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The first of my best reads of the year!
The writing is descriptive and wordy, without getting boring or distracted.
The scenes describing Abe's and Dan's losses and mourning hit believably hard and forced my thoughts to linger uncomfortably on my own fears of losing those dearest to me.
The way fishing is interwoven throughout the story was entertaining and interesting, even if the way it would be used against the main characters was a bit predictable.
The occult aspects feel very Lovecraftian, being based on the oldest of ancient beliefs and the powers, and dangers, hidden in rare magickal texts. Yet Langan provides enough of his own spin and ideas that it doesn't feel too familiar.
The monsters are creepy, sometimes gross, and fit into the story perfectly, giving you a glimpse of a world no sane person would seek to experience.
Unfortunately for Abe, Der Fisher seeks the power in that world, and in doing so, Langan reels us readers in as easily as Der Fisher does the broken souls he feeds upon.
Overall, this novel feels to me like Stephen King, HP Lovecraft, and Clive Barker had a three-way literary lovechild, and I loved all of it. I look forward to reading John Langan's other works.

The best in occult/monster/fishing literature!

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Well-executed modern HP Lovecraft story that doesn't beat you over the head with it. Loved it & would recommend it.

Great example of H.P. Lovecraft-inspired horror.

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