Horace Walpole is acclaimed as the harbinger of ‘Horror fiction’. Known for his magnum opus ‘The Castle of Otranto’, Walpole sets new branch marks and paves way for the gothic novels to flourish in the fiefdom of literature . Since its origin the ‘Novel of Terror’ has successfully and scintillatingly held the readers in its sway. Hanery James is another famed American novelist who renders his immense contribution in carrying the legacy of ‘Horror Fiction’ forward.
Reading Indian author Sugandha Pallan’s latest book ‘Where The Dead Come Alive’ ,it would not be erroneous to state that the author has produced a really finest work which belongs to the genre with somewhat similar overtones and thus can be pertinently described as a true tribute to Horace Walpole and Hanery James . After the success of her previous book “ Mother, God, Me & The World” the author has once again cast a mysterious spell on the community of the readers with her latest work of fiction “Where The Dead Come Alive”
Though it sounds quite absurd and surreal if we state that mang people in their real life time have attempted to establish a communion with their dead loved ones through the assistance of some necromancers but it is a truth which can not be refuted. Somewhat similar endeavours are made in this book to bring Rachna’s dead mother back to life.
Nidhi, an orphan, is shocked to find out that her best friend Rachna sees Dharampal, their common friend’s father, at the vigil held for the COVID-19 victims. The man died a year ago. Do dead people really come back alive in this book is a mystery which must be unraveled by the readers only.
Nidhi, who is by profession a journalist, decides to dive deep and unfold the shrouded mystery behind these supernatural occurrence. During her investigation, she finds out that this is not the only case. Historically, some people have come back to life days after their death, with a very few witnesses to confirm. This is the catalytic moment in the novel after which the mystery deepens all the more.
Undoubtedly, the success of such fictions hinges to a large extent on their setting. Understanding this fact, the author weaves a plot which is fully bustling with surreal and spooky surroundings, looming fear, supernatural and the paranormal occurrences. The writing style of the novelist is quite lucid and convincing in the way that it gets across most of the point to readers so effortlessly. The lugubrious and macabre atmosphere is captured quite meticulously from the very beginning. When we dwell on the art of characterisation, the author deserves a special admiration. She must be adulated because of her exclusive knack for depicting a host of such sound and well- crafted characters who leave indelible imprints on the mindscape of the readers.
Succinctly speaking, the book fits into the segment of an exquisitely created tale which will keep every reader riveted till the last page. A must read!