Fear

De: Ronald Kelly

Narrado por: J. Rodney Turner

It was a legend in Fear County. A hideous, flesh-eating creature - part snake, part earthbound demon - that feasted on the blood of innocent children in the cold black heart of the Tennessee backwoods.

But 10-year-old Jeb Sweeny knows the horrible stories are true.

His best friend Mandy just disappeared. He also knows that no one has ever had the courage to go after the monster and put an end to its raging, bestial hunger. Until now.

But evil is well-guarded. And for young Jeb Sweeny, who is about to cross over into the forbidden land of Fear County and the lair of the unknown, passage through the gates of hell comes with a terrible price: everlasting fear.

©1994 Ronald Kelly (P)2020 David N. Wilson

Not what I expected, but better for that.

I bought this book expecting a cheap horror novel, and got excellent fantastical realism instead.
My only real complaint is a spoiler, but a certain character death came off as cheap and exploitative, and feels downright unnecessary, as if it were added last minute in a later draft. It's the only reason this isn't a 5 star review across the board.
That said, I love the monster, the mythology, the characters, the wild folk magic, and the bizarre denizens of Fear County, plus the war the reader brings them to life with a PERFECTLY chosen voice for this material.
also, this book has one of the best "Hell YEAH!" moments I've read in a LONG TIME.

What is FEAR? Is it a book?

FEAR
By Ronald Kelly

Sam Sweeny glanced back at the kudzu that almost swallowed him whole. Goose bumps pricked this muscular flesh.
“I don’t like this place. I don’t like it at all.”

What is FEAR?
Is it a situation?

10 year old Jeb Sweeny struggles through America’s heart-land with a father so shell-shocked from the war he’s been reduced mentally into his little brother. Jeb’s grandmother’s the head of the family guiding them through country threats of insane-asylums, deed-hungry bankers, lazy sherifs, orphanages, and town bullies.

This great-depression drama is cranked up-ward into horror by the appearance of a MONSTER: a demonic mix of snake & hell hound. The creature's hunting grounds include local farms & places people inhabit.

What is FEAR?
Is it a place?

FEAR is a very good book that suddenly becomes a very great book.
Half way through, our young hero, and a few unlikely companions, decide to travel to the place the snake-hell-hound came from. It came from a place named FEAR County.

Like following a yellow brick road, they are off to, well... not to meet the wizard, but a to meet a WITCH. A Witch who may, or who may not, help them.

What is FEAR?
Is it a thing?

The journey to FEAR County is full of strange dangerous THINGS. It’s an epic journey into enemy territory that hasn’t been tried since Frodo and Sam hiked into Mordor.

The whole tale is told with a heavy country twang much like the wonderful tales of “John and the Silver Guitar Strings”. Actually, though I dearly love the Silver String folklore stories, I wish they had been written as expertly as this book.

This is a truly delightful literary experience that takes you on an epic adventure to another time and a different land with characters you grow to love. After reading so much 'trite bunk' passed off as horror literature, it’s a pleasant surprise to read good literature that can horrify you.

I highly recommend this book.

Wow

This is such a great story. It has it all. It reminds me of a mix of Stand by Me and It with a mix of lord of the rings. All fantastic stories. It truly has it all. I wish there was more. One of my favorites to date

Wow!!

i don’t wanna say a lot because not knowing is the most fun :)

I went into this thinking it was one thing and was NOT prepared for the amazing narration omg His different voices, paired along with the deliciously crafted descriptions allow you to fall in love and grow quite attached to the characters!

This was awesome!

Everything

Everything about this story had me on edge. Wonderful story, this book had been in my wishlist for a while. I'm glad I bought it. The narrator's voice fit this story.It made thse story more dark and eerie.

fear is a great book

It had me from the very beginning. Great story characters and storytelling....really A+ as far as I'm concerned

A really cool coming of age story.

Mr Kelly is for sure one of the best. An A class story from a master story teller. it's a cross between mice and men and the green mile. it's surely worth a listen with all the duds on here.

Excellent story!

Engrossing story- wonderfully read! Looking forward to future stories of Fear County- wonderful characters! W

A nice noir horror story

Very nice interpretation of post world war two in the United States. Seeing some of the problems that we still face such as racism and hate. Nice job showing Harbor and the strength one does for Love.

I really enjoyed it.

really enjoy this book. did not want it to end. took my sweet time listening to it..