The Heart of a Dark Matter
by Peter Straub
Paperback Original. A Special Place, Peter Straubs first published novella, will come to stand as one of the authors most deeply unsettling works of fiction. A rumination on the nature of evil, the story centers on a boy, Keith Hayward, who is drawn by his nature to an irresistible fascination with death and the taking of life. His fathers brother, the good-looking, suave Uncle Tillthe infamous ladykiller, who has led a shadowy career as a local celebrityrecognizes his nephews innermost nature and gleefully tutors him in art of doing ill without getting caught.
Even a cold-blooded sociopath must learn some lessons in survival, it seems, and Uncle Till is only happy to provide a tutorial, in the latest imaginative and disturbing work from one of America's most celebrated horror writers.
"Starred Review. This beautifully horrifying, delightfully disturbing tale of a family tree of evil will stay with the reader long after the last page is done. " - Publishers Weekly
"Starred Review. This is high-quality disturbing horror. Recommended not only for horror fans but for those who appreciate outstanding writing." - Library Journal
"The book is unquestionably an efficient nausea-inducer, but it contains many more shocks than surprises and is propelled by sexual imagery so pronounced that it usurps and dissipates the story's horror content." - Kirkus Reviews
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Peter Straub is the New York Times bestselling author of seventeen novels, which have been translated into more than twenty languages. His two collaborations with Stephen King, The Talisman and Black House, were international bestsellers. Two of Peters most recent novels, Lost Boy Lost Girl and In the Night Room, were winners of the Bram Stoker award. In 2006, he was given the Horror Writers Association Lifetime Achievement Award. Peter and his wife live in New York City.
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