The Disembodied is a rather interesting horror novel by Anthony Hains, which balances the effects of psychological challenges with unexplainable terror. For readers who haven’t come across the thin line that separate the two, this book will get you there. There’s always a lingering question of what is real and what is simply manifested by a disturbed psyche.
Griffin is a thirteen-year-old boy who has been diagnosed with Depersonalization Disorder, a disorder that sees him feeling disconnected from his body at certain moments. The bouts of disconnection increase as he gets older and they also seem to become more difficult to cope with. Following the death of his abusive father, Griffin becomes haunted by a character from his grandfather’s stories.
While his mother wants to believe it’s just a side-effect of his condition, her religiously neurotic sister convinces her it’s much more than that. The only two people Griffin can really look to for any comfort is his cousin and of course, his grandfather. But the scenario escalates as a blizzard strikes, and Griffin faces a battle no normal kid should ever have to face.
The first thing that struck me about the book was the psychological depth of the plot. The author’s experience in the field really shines through and it provides a substance that can’t simply be pulled from thin air. For this aspect alone I really enjoyed reading the unfolding madness. The relationship between Griffin and his grandfather is especially touching, and Hains sells the rest of the cast with great precision.
But instead of a full-frontal horror novel, readers should expect a psychological thriller. Even though the plot goes beyond logical borders, it was mainly the actions of the “bad guys” that left me chilled at times. The extremes they put Griffin and Tanner (his cousin) through are more than just a little overwhelming, which is where I found the true horror.
In terms of style and execution, I couldn’t find any faults on the author’s part. He timed the climaxes well and the nuances of each character add to the story’s ability to suck you in. However, I should point out that the pace is fairly slow and there is a clear build-up to bigger and better challenges. In other words, it’s the type of book you want to start reading when you know nobody is going to be interrupting.
Nearing the end Hains picks up the pace and creates several scenarios where you can’t wait to turn the page, but through all the horrific events it’s the substance of the characters that ultimately establishes the true magic. It’s Hains’ talent to delve a little deeper and make them so much more convincing.
Overall it’s an easy book to get lost in. However, it’s not the type of story that will satisfy hardcore horror fans. From a personal perspective, I felt it leaned more towards a drama novel compared to the type of gore I’m used to, but this is definitely open for discussion.
Nevertheless, The Disembodied is a story that can touch a wide audience and I’m glad I took the time to read it. I may not have been scared afterward, but it was a memorable journey that left me shocked on more than one occasion.
Reviewed by Damnetha Jules
Damnetha is a staff writer, horror book and movie critic.
