7.6 /10 1 Votes
Language English Media type paperback and hardback Followed by Domain Country United Kingdom Genres Novel, Horror fiction | 3.8/5 Goodreads Publication date 1983 Pages 433 pp (paperback) Originally published 1983 Publisher New English Library Preceded by The Jonah | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ISBN 0-450-05659-7 (paperback) Similar James Herbert books, Other books | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shrine (1983) is a horror novel by English writer James Herbert, exploring themes of religious ecstasy, mass hysteria, demonic possession, faith healing and Catholicism. The story is about Alice Pagett, a deaf-mute child who's cured one night when she runs to an oak tree behind St. Joseph's, her local church. She's found by reporter Gerry Fenn and, when news of her cure spreads, their village becomes ablaze with publicity. After Alice performs several "miracle" cures in front of the tree, and claims to have seen the Virgin Mary there, it starts to be treated as a Lourdes-like shrine by Catholic pilgrims. St. Joseph's priest, Father Hagan, however, senses spiritual danger.
Contents
Characters
Style
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.