The White Devil
Published by: HarperCollins
Published on: May 2011
Page Count: 384
Genre: Gothic fiction/Mystery/Paranormal
My Reading Format: ARC sent to me by the publisher for consideration
Available Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook
My Review
I have some favorites when it comes to settings. Evil British boarding schools are somewhere near the top. There is something essentially Gothic about old boarding schools that isn’t always captured elsewhere. So, when I received my monthly email from HarperCollins, I didn’t think twice about requesting The White Devil by Justin Evans. I knew I had to know all about the Harrow School and the affect it has on Andrew Taylor, and American student sent to the school as a last chance to straighten himself out. From the moment he was given the tour of his residence hall, he feels a ghostly presence. Then people around him start to die.
Being an outsider is never easy and Andrew already had a lot to overcome. He was sent to the Harrow School by his father after getting into trouble with heroin. What he really needed was a good friend, someone who could let him be and provide companionship. Unfortunately, he falls out of favor rather quickly. His reputation is made successively worse after witnessing the murder of a house mate and then joining the cast of a play about Lord Byron, an alumni, written by Piers Fawkes, the school’s poet-in-residence. Despite well intentioned advice from his nice classmates, Andrew won’t give up his role as Lord Byron because he’s fallen head over heals for Persephone. Persephone is the only girl attending the Harrow School and Andrew is instantly drawn to her. The troubled past, the ghost, the murder and the loneliness make Andrew an interesting and dynamic Gothic hero.
The White Devil captured my attention and imagination from the beginning. I was delighted to take this journey with Andrew. The setting was rich and distorted with just enough mist to make the skin on the back of my neck prickle. It was a kind of rush to read this novel at night when the house was quiet. I cared for Andrew and wanted him to find what he was looking for out of life, but not unlike Piers Fawkes, I nudged Andrew forward into danger with every step. Andrew was my conduit into this almost delicious Gothic school. I always wanted more. I got what I desired and then some.
Justin Evans is a wonderful writer. The words on the page flowed so smoothly, leaving only the thrill of the story. I have not read his first novel, A Good and Happy Child. I’m eager to get my hands on it. I felt very much the same way after I discovered Patrick McGrath in graduate school. Discovering a good modern Gothic author is like finding a precious gem. I’ll be holding on to this one.
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I’ve seen this title quite a bit recently, but the Patrick McGrath comparison makes me want to read it. Thanks for a great review.
LOVE a good Gothic setting. We agree again!
I love books set in boarding schools as well! It just seems like there’s so much opportunity for things to go wrong with all of those hormones so loosely supervised. I’ll have to look for this book.
You don’t mention what others have that has made me shy away from this book. I am a scaredy cat and have heard it’s really spooky. What say you?
I was not scared by it. Pet Semetary scared the crap out of me. This set me more on edge in a really fun way. Loved it.
I really enjoyed this one as well. The author was sure able to create a creepy, gothic setting and atmosphere. I couldn’t get enough and like you I cannot wait to get my hands on his other book! Great review!