The basic plot of James Herbert's "Shrine" is far from ground-breakingly original. However, that isn’t necessarily a negative aspect. Some of the most spectacular and haunting novels have come from reworking, redesigning and reinventing classic ideas. In this sense, we’re ultimately talking about a plot pretty much involving demonic possession and a mass misguided belief and far little else. However, what Herbert does, is really ramp-up the tension that lurks behind the saintly façade of the protagonist, making the whole crux of the somewhat simplistic tale, far more focused on the escalating tension that will surely be vented in a dramatically explosive revelation. Shrine is a 1983 horror novel by English writer James Herbert, exploring themes of religious ecstasy, mass hysteria, demonic possession, faith healing and Catholicism. Williamson, J.N., ed. (1987). Masques II: All-New Stories of Horror and the Supernatural. Baltimore: Maclay & Assoc. ISBN 978-0-940776-24-1. There is an interesting cast of characters who all have their own involvement with what is happening - Fenn the journalist who is covering the story, Father Hagan the local priest who is overwhelmed by the sudden attention his church is receiving, a couple of local business owners who see opportunities to make money from the new tourists, to mention just a few. a b Schudel, Matt (22 March 2013). "James Herbert, Britain's Stephen King, dies at 69". The Washington Post . Retrieved 24 March 2013.

Shrine: Now a Major Film Called The Unholy – the Novel Is Shrine: Now a Major Film Called The Unholy – the Novel Is

Masterton, Graham, ed. (1989). Scare Care (Tor horror). New York City: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 978-0-312-93156-8. At this point I want to jump in and point out however that along with many other authors, James Herbert's books developed and changed through the years - his early books where very visceral and tactile - sometimes at the expense of characterisation, but as the years went on he would mature and start to take on a more subtle and restrained approach and in some ways even more terrifying style. The Shrine was one of his early books and some of the scenes certainly reflect this.**.

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D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 14, 2020). "Sony Halts Production On Kevin Hart's 'Man From Toronto', 'Shrine' & 'The Nightingale' ". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved May 15, 2020. D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 18, 2019). "Jeffrey Dean Morgan Takes Lead In Screen Gems' Feature Adaptation Of James Herbert's 'Shrine' ". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved September 19, 2019. I was determined that my first read by James Herbert would be the infamous "The Rats" that I kept on hearing about. But then I saw Unholy, the movie adaptation of "The Shrine" and thought it was kind of bad. Since it is a widespread phenomenon that the worst movies are usually based on good books, I decided to take an early shot with this one. Herbert is also good at characterisation and at 'mise en-scene'. Perhaps the flawed 'hero' Gerry Fenn runs according to expectation as an ambitious journalist but the creation of the two central priests - Father Hagan and Monsignor Delgard - is masterful.

James Herbert obituary | James Herbert | The Guardian James Herbert obituary | James Herbert | The Guardian

I considered being pissed about the ending but upon further contemplating on the matter I decided it made sense in context. The reason I say this is that even though these characters go through some very intense events they're not technically the main players in the cosmic battle. They're observers and on occasion the recipients of some of the violence but this is a tale of corruption vs the sanctity of creation. Human beings have no dog in the fight because they don't stand a chance against an entity that doesn't play by physical rules. People don't have a prayer to win so there's that.

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The actual reason for Alice having these "gifts" and the church property and and old oak tree is told through a journal and it was "ok" but I do wish they went into this alil more and provided more insight as to why Elnor had this power and how she came to be. Miracles or evil entity faking the miraculous cures....Great pace and buildup.

Shrine by James Herbert - AbeBooks Shrine by James Herbert - AbeBooks

a b Weber, Bruce (24 March 2013). "James Herbert, British Horror Novelist, Dies at 69". The New York Times. Alice, who they believe is unaware of Mary's true nature, wishes to hold a church service by the tree and broadcast it to the masses. Delgarde warns that those pledging themselves to Elnor would make her stronger and condemn their soul to Hell. Gerry, Natalie and Delgarde try to perform a ritual in the church to stop this, but Elnor appears and crushes Delgarde with a burning cross.A context may be the Fatima manifestations in Portugal in 1916/1917 which, even today, divide liberal 'rational' Catholics from simple faith conservative Catholics, Anglo-Saxon reasoning catholics from 'peasant' deep faith Catholics. James Herbert was Britain's number one bestselling writer (a position he held ever since publication of his first novel) and one of the world's top writers of thriller/horror fiction. Each chapter begins with a quote from a famous literary work, often a fairy tale or poem dealing with folklore, like the Grimms' canon, Peter Pan, and Hans Christian Andersen. The third-person narrative switches between several points of view, including village businessmen, Catholic officials, and other minor, as well as important, characters.

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The question is not whether the manifestation is real or not in this case but whether what is manifestly seen to be real (although Herbert cleverly emphasises psychic power over sorcery to create doubt even of that) is good or evil. This is a novel about belief encased in the horror genre.It certainly was a good enough suspense story, though quite a drag to read at times. The overly descriptive paragraphs were at first a wonder (to someone like me who can't write descriptions that well), then ultimately became a bore and a hindrance as they seemed to slow down the story's progress. I understand the need to instill a gloomy setting, thus the numerous references to gray, bleak afternoons and cold, bitter winds, but sometimes it just feels a little over the top. (SPOILER) I liked the story behind the nun's revenge, though the actual revenge itself was quite a let-down regardless if it was completed or not. The main character was oookay, but I think the effort to make him appear agnostic just contradicted the whole thing (can't explain properly).