Bog People: A Working-Class Anthology of Folk Horror is a darkly unsettling collection that masterfully explores the complexities of class, hierarchy, and tradition in rural England. Editor Hollie Starling has assembled 10 stories from accomplished authors, weaving a narrative tapestry that feels both intimate and eerie.
The anthology begins with AK Blakemore's story, which introduces us to an eternal stew passed around a village, its contents a mysterious blend of meat and grief. This is just one example of the collection's ability to craft haunting tales that linger long after the final page is turned. Other notable stories include Jenn Ashworth's "The Hanging Stones," which features a chilling line about candles once lit, and Tom Benn's "It Fair Give Me the Spikes," a visceral exploration of industrial decay.
One of the anthology's greatest strengths lies in its willingness to confront themes of class and identity head-on, albeit often through subtle suggestion rather than explicit statement. This approach allows readers to fill in the gaps and connect with the stories on their own terms. The use of stylized prose, including italicized dialogue and textual irregularity, adds to the anthology's sense of unease and disorientation.
Throughout the collection, the authors' protagonists often embody elitist views that have been passed down through generations, illustrating the insidious effects of class bias on individuals and communities. However, this is not a collection about explicitly addressing social inequality; rather, it's about excavating the complexities of human experience in rural England.
Ultimately, Bog People is an urgent reminder that folk horror remains a vital part of our national storytelling tradition. By embracing its darker themes and exploring the intersections between folklore, oral history, and grief, these authors have crafted a collection that feels both deeply rooted in place and universally relatable. As with any effective anthology, it's difficult to pinpoint individual highlights – each story has its own distinct atmosphere and resonance.
What sets Bog People apart is its willingness to push against the boundaries of genre and storytelling. The prose is often lyrical and unsettling, drawing readers into a world that feels both familiar and strange. In every story, certain passages stand out in stark silhouette, speaking to something deeper about human existence: the fear of being unknown, the fragility of national identity, or the enduring power of superstition.
Bog People is not an easy read; it's a challenging one. But for those willing to immerse themselves in its dark world, this anthology offers a deeply unsettling and thought-provoking exploration of our collective fears and anxieties.
The anthology begins with AK Blakemore's story, which introduces us to an eternal stew passed around a village, its contents a mysterious blend of meat and grief. This is just one example of the collection's ability to craft haunting tales that linger long after the final page is turned. Other notable stories include Jenn Ashworth's "The Hanging Stones," which features a chilling line about candles once lit, and Tom Benn's "It Fair Give Me the Spikes," a visceral exploration of industrial decay.
One of the anthology's greatest strengths lies in its willingness to confront themes of class and identity head-on, albeit often through subtle suggestion rather than explicit statement. This approach allows readers to fill in the gaps and connect with the stories on their own terms. The use of stylized prose, including italicized dialogue and textual irregularity, adds to the anthology's sense of unease and disorientation.
Throughout the collection, the authors' protagonists often embody elitist views that have been passed down through generations, illustrating the insidious effects of class bias on individuals and communities. However, this is not a collection about explicitly addressing social inequality; rather, it's about excavating the complexities of human experience in rural England.
Ultimately, Bog People is an urgent reminder that folk horror remains a vital part of our national storytelling tradition. By embracing its darker themes and exploring the intersections between folklore, oral history, and grief, these authors have crafted a collection that feels both deeply rooted in place and universally relatable. As with any effective anthology, it's difficult to pinpoint individual highlights – each story has its own distinct atmosphere and resonance.
What sets Bog People apart is its willingness to push against the boundaries of genre and storytelling. The prose is often lyrical and unsettling, drawing readers into a world that feels both familiar and strange. In every story, certain passages stand out in stark silhouette, speaking to something deeper about human existence: the fear of being unknown, the fragility of national identity, or the enduring power of superstition.
Bog People is not an easy read; it's a challenging one. But for those willing to immerse themselves in its dark world, this anthology offers a deeply unsettling and thought-provoking exploration of our collective fears and anxieties.
I just finished reading Bog People anthology & i'm SHAKEN 
! The way the authors explore class hierarchy & tradition in rural England is SO on point 
it's like they're speaking straight to my soul 
. And that eternal stew story?! 
AK Blakemore is a GENIUS 
. The way they use stylized prose & textual irregularity is giving me all the feels 
. I love how the anthology doesn't hit you over the head with social commentary, but instead lets you fill in the gaps & connect with the stories on your own terms 
. It's like they're whispering dark secrets in your ear, and you can't look away 
. The themes of grief, superstition, & national identity are SO relevant right now 
. I'm not gonna lie, it's a challenging read, but if u're willing to dive into the darkness, it's TOTALLY worth it 
the way it explores class & hierarchy in rural england is soooo deep 
i love how the authors don't spell it out for u, u get to fill in the gaps urself its like a puzzle & once u get it, u cant unsee it lol anyway, Bog People is def a must-read if ur into dark fiction 
it's like they've taken all the eerie vibes from rural england and bottled them up in this anthology 
️ i love how they weave together these stories that are both deeply rooted in place but also universally relatable - it's like, you can totally imagine yourself walking through those woods and feeling the weight of history bearing down on you 
. I love how it's not just about explicitly addressing social inequality, but more about how these elitist views can be so insidious and ingrained. It's like, we're still grappling with our own class biases in rural England, and it's unsettling to see that reflected in the stories. The writing is just incredible too - so lyrical and unsettling, it's like a masterclass in building tension 
.
. its not just about social inequality tho, its more about the complexities of human experience and how our traditions can shape us in ways we dont even realize 
. anyhoo, if u havenst checked it out yet, u gotta give it a shot, trust me ur mind will thank u later 
The use of stylized prose adds to the unsettling vibe and makes you feel like you're getting a glimpse into some dark, twisted world 
What I love most about this anthology is how it tackles complex themes without being too on-the-nose - it's like they're saying "hey, check out these weird stuff we've got" instead of "look at us, we're trying to make a point" 
And the fact that folk horror remains a part of our storytelling tradition is just so interesting 
. If you're a fan of folk horror or just looking for something that'll make you think about your place in the world, Bog People is a must-read 
. the fact that it's not a straightforward collection about social inequality but more about digging deep into human experience in rural England really resonates with me 
.
. It adds to the whole sense of unease and disorientation that permeates the entire collection.
. And I think that's what makes this anthology so vital; it's not trying to preach or lecture, it's just offering up this dark mirror reflection of ourselves.
I'm totally obsessed with the new Bog People anthology! It's like they bottled up the eerie vibes of rural England and put them into a collection that'll have you sleeping with the lights on 
The stylized prose is like a slow-burning fire that'll leave you unsettled long after finishing the book. What really resonates with me is how it excavates our collective fears and anxieties – it's like they're holding up a mirror to our darkest selves. If you're ready for a wild ride, Bog People is a must-read 
I'm OBSESSED with the new Bog People anthology! It's like someone took all my darkest thoughts about rural England and turned them into these masterfully crafted tales that'll leave you shivering 
. The way it explores class, tradition, and identity is so raw and honest, but also super subtle - it's like they're speaking straight to your soul 
. And can we talk about the prose? It's like a rich, dark stew (AK Blakemore's story, anyone?) that'll have you dipping back in for more 
. The whole thing feels so immersive and unsettling, like you're walking through a foggy field with no clear path out 
also, the prose is just wow, it's like i'm reading a poem that's slowly driving me insane 
. And that writing style? 
... And Tom Benn's "It Fair Give Me the Spikes" is like, totally vivid in my head 
. The prose is beautiful and unsettling at the same time, like walking through a dark forest with no light 
. I love how the authors leave some things unsaid, letting the reader fill in the gaps and make it their own 
.