Since the release of his critically acclaimed debut novel The Loney in 2018, English writer Andrew Michael Hurley has captivated readers with eerie tales of unsettling rural communities, tales that are now reaching wider audiences on screen.
Known as “the master of menace,” Hurley has garnered praise from literary greats like Stephen King, and this year, the film adaptation of his third novel, Starve Acre, has sent chills through audiences in the US and UK.
Starring Morfydd Clark (The Rings of Power) and former Doctor Who actor Matt Smith, Starve Acre brings Hurley’s atmospheric horror to life with resounding impact.
Hurley’s debut, The Loney, not only gained him a devoted readership but also crossed borders, being translated into 20 languages and receiving critical acclaim, including a “masterful” and “unsettling” review from The Washington Post.
This year, it was announced that The Loney will be adapted for television by Jonathan Van Tulleken, known for his work on Shogun and the upcoming Blade Runner 2099. This news follows the release of Hurley’s fourth book, Barrowbeck, a short-story collection that continues his exploration of the macabre.
Hurley’s work challenges conventions in horror, a genre not traditionally celebrated for literary craftsmanship.
His novels have won critical praise and prestigious literary awards, breaking ground by blending high-quality writing with deeply chilling narratives.
“Gothic has enjoyed quite a high literary status…whereas books classified simply as ‘horror’ haven’t always been taken seriously, but I think that’s changing,” Hurley told the BBC.
He believes that a cultural reevaluation of classic horror films, such as The Exorcist, The Wicker Man, and Halloween, has led audiences to appreciate horror as an art form that reflects profound aspects of the human psyche.
Hurley’s rise comes amid a booming interest in horror literature.
British publishing outlet The Bookseller reported a remarkable 54% increase in sales of horror and ghost stories in the UK between 2022 and 2023, making it the most successful year on record for the genre.
According to Dara Downey, a researcher and lecturer in gothic and horror literature at Trinity College Dublin, this trend reflects a global desire for escapism.
“If social media is anything to go by, people are turning to the horror genre for comfort,” Downey explains.
Horror fiction, she suggests, provides a strange solace by presenting fears that are less overwhelming than real-world events, offering “a glimpse of other people’s nightmares as a form of respite.”
In Hurley’s words, horror invites readers to confront a world that feels “frightening and confusing” while also revealing an “enchanted and mysterious” side, encouraging us to embrace the uncanny alongside the mundane.
As Hurley’s stories continue to gain cinematic and literary acclaim, he seems poised to inspire readers and viewers alike to find beauty in the dark.
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