The Ritual (novel)
 First edition cover for the UK and US | |
| Author | Adam Nevill |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Horror |
| Published |
2011 (UK), Pan Macmillan 2012 (USA) St. Martin's Griffin |
| Media type | Print, e-book |
| Pages | 432 pages |
| Awards | August Derleth Award for Best Horror Novel |
| ISBN | 0330514970 |
| Preceded by | Apartment 16 |
| Followed by | Last Days |
The Ritual is a 2011 British horror novel by Adam Nevill.[1] The book was first released in the United Kingdom on 7 October 2011 through Pan Macmillan and was released in the United States on 14 February 2012 through Macmillan imprint St. Martin's Griffin.[2] It is Nevill's third published novel and was followed by his 2012 work Last Days. The Ritual is the winner of the 2012 August Derleth Award for Best Horror Novel.[3] Film rights were optioned by Stillking Films, before the option was passed to Imaginarium, who currently holds the film and TV rights.[4][5]
Synopsis
Old college friends Dom, Phil, Luke, and Hutch have decided to reunite and reminisce about their past exploits while hiking through the Swedish Forests. The location wasn't the first choice some of the men would have chosen due to their limited or non-existent outdoors experience, but the trip was chosen for its frugality due to the fact that one member, Luke, would be unable to afford much else. As the group goes further and further into the woods, they are forced to take a shortcut due to Phil developing severe blisters on his feet and Dom badly injuring his knee. However the shortcut ends up causing the group to become hopelessly lost and scared, especially after they discover a disemboweled animal corpse hanging from the trees. They eventually make their way to an ancient shack filled with bones and strange artifacts, where they discover that they are not alone in the woods and that something is intent on ensuring that they never leave.
Reception
Critical reception for The Ritual has been mostly positive.[6][7][8] The South African paper Independent Online praised the work as "intense and creepy" and commented that it would work well as a horror film.[9] HorrorNews.net also praised The Ritual, commenting "Nevill's writing style is top-notch and he is one of those guys who can just naturally tell a good story with little to no effort."[10] Tor.com commented that "Nevill does a good job exploiting the isolation, dreariness, and enormous age of the Swedish forest setting", but also expressed a desire that the "most intriguing ideas [were] more thoroughly explored".[11]
Awards
- August Derleth Award for Best Horror Novel (2012, won)[3]
References
- ↑ "Review: The Ritual". Locus Magazine. 67 (609). October 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
- ↑ Jamieson, Teddy. "Journey into unknown". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
- 1 2 Gallo, Irene. "Announcing the 2012 British Fantasy Award Winners". Tor.com. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
- ↑ Martin, Jessica. "Film option deal for Adam Nevill's horror novel The Ritual". SFCrowsnest. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
- ↑ "Adaptation of Adam Nevill's The Ritual to be produced by Andy Serkis". JoBlo.com. Retrieved 2016-07-08.
- ↑ Fortune, Aidan. "The Ritual by Adam Nevill (book review)". SF Crowsnest. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
- ↑ "Fiction Review: The Ritual". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
- ↑ Robbins, Michael. "Heavy metal music finds a place in fiction". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
- ↑ Tshabalala, Tshepo. "Intense and creepy". Independent Online (South Africa). Retrieved 5 October 2014.
- ↑ Martin, Todd. "Book Review: The Ritual – Author Adam Nevill". HorrorNews.net. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
- ↑ Kross, Karen. "Some Real Shivers, But No Nightmares: The Ritual by Adam Nevill". Tor.com. Retrieved 4 October 2014.