Peter Straub is an acclaimed American author known for his contributions to the horror genre. Born on March 2, 1943, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Straub developed an interest in writing from an early age. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1965. Straub's writing career took off in the 1970s when he began publishing a series of well-received horror novels. One of his early notable works is "Julia" (1975), a psychological thriller about a troubled woman haunted by her past. However, it was with the novel "Ghost Story" (1979) that Straub achieved significant commercial success.
The audiobook version of the Talisman is read by Frank Muller, who had read most of the Dark Tower books before suffering a motorcycle crash which proved to be fatal in 2001.
In the Territories, Jack finds another realm, where the air is so sweet and clear a man can smell a radish being pulled from the ground a mile away and a life can be snuffed out instantly in the continuing struggle between good and evil. A sixteen-year-old Wolf, simply named Wolf, is accidentally pulled into America by Jack Sawyer and adopts Jack as his herd, serving as his companion.
However, it was with the novel "Ghost Story" (1979) that Straub achieved significant commercial success. The book follows a group of elderly men who are haunted by a supernatural entity from their youth. Throughout his career, Straub has displayed his versatility as a writer by experimenting with different subgenres of horror.
The Complete Short Fiction of Peter Straub — Numbered and Signed Limited Edition
Peter Straub has created a body of short stories and novellas establishes him as one of the best literary voices in the genres of horror and dark suspense. His list of accomplishments and awards is staggering: In addition to the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Horror Writers Association, Life Achievement World Fantasy Award, Grand Master Award from World Horror, Living Legend Award from the International Horror Guild, he has won the Bram Stoker Award 9 times, the World Fantasy Award 3 times, and 1 British Fantasy Award.
He remains a living legend
“Peter Straub’s shorter fictions are like tiny novels you drown in: perfectly pitched, terrifyingly smart, big-hearted, dangerous, and even cruel . . . If you care about the short story, you should read this book, and watch a master at work.”
—Neil Gaiman, author of The Ocean at the End of the Lane
“Straub has a proven knack for black humor, and he coaxes the nightmarish out of the mundane with startling ease. This is a powerful collection from an enduring favorite in literary chills.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“These stories show [Straub] ranging far and high into the uplands of literary fiction without ever leaving behind the dark impulses and fears that make his work so powerful.”
—John Crowley, author of Little, Big and the Aegypt Cycle
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| Weight | 4 lbs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 8 × 12 × 4 in |
The premise of the novel involves the existence of a parallel world to Earth, called "the Territories", a strange fantasy world with ties (though these ties did not exist at the time of publication) to the Dark Tower series. Individuals in the Territories have "twinners," or parallel individuals, in our world. Twinners' births, deaths, and (it is intimated) other major life events are usually paralleled. Twinners can also flip, but only share the body of their alternate universe's analogue.
For instance, he seamlessly blends horror with science fiction elements in "Shadowland" (1980), which explores the dark secrets of a magical school. In "Koko" (1988), Straub delves into psychological horror with a story about a Vietnam War veteran investigating a murder connected to his past. Straub's writing is characterized by his elegant prose and layered storytelling. He often explores themes of trauma, guilt, and the dark depths of the human psyche. His works frequently feature complex characters and intricate plots, keeping readers engaged throughout. In addition to his novels, Straub has also written short stories, novellas, and collaborations with other authors, most famously with Stephen King on "The Talisman" (1984) and its sequel "Black House" (2001). These works showcase the combined talents of two masters of the horror genre. Peter Straub's talent and contributions to the genre have been recognized with numerous awards, including several Bram Stoker Awards and a World Fantasy Award. He continues to write and publish to this day, solidifying his reputation as one of the most influential horror writers of his generation..
Reviews for "An Epic Tale of Good versus Evil: The Talisman"
1. John - 1/5: I couldn't stand "The Taliaan" by Peter Straub. The plot was all over the place and made no sense. The characters felt flat and uninteresting, and I couldn't connect with any of them. The writing style was confusing and convoluted, making it difficult to follow what was happening. Overall, I found this book a complete waste of time and would not recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 2/5: I was really disappointed with "The Taliaan" by Peter Straub. The story had potential, but it was executed poorly. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself bored and uninterested for most of the book. The author seemed to focus more on unnecessary details and descriptions, rather than advancing the plot. The ending was anticlimactic and left me feeling unsatisfied. I expected better from Straub and would not read another one of his books based on this experience.
3. Robert - 2/5: "The Taliaan" by Peter Straub left me perplexed and frustrated. The storytelling was confusing and disjointed, making it difficult to immerse myself in the narrative. The characters were underdeveloped, and I couldn't bring myself to care about their fates. Additionally, the writing style felt pretentious and self-indulgent, with long-winded prose that added nothing to the overall story. I found this book a chore to read and felt relieved when I finally finished it.
4. Emily - 1/5: I regret wasting my time on "The Taliaan" by Peter Straub. The plot was convoluted and lacked coherence, making it hard to follow and understand. The characters were uninteresting and lacked depth, and their actions often felt forced and unrealistic. The final revelation in the book was predictable and did not provide any sense of satisfaction. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and would caution others against reading it.
5. Mark - 2/5: "The Taliaan" by Peter Straub had potential, but it fell short for me. The story started off intriguing but quickly lost its momentum. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by brief moments of excitement. The characters were forgettable and lacked development, and I struggled to connect with any of them. In the end, I was left underwhelmed and unsatisfied.