The Return - A Deep Dive Review

by Wombrook Publishing (Editor) Walter de la Mare (Author)

Updated at: 26/02/2025

Walter de la Mare's The Return plunges readers into a gothic world where the line between reality and the supernatural blurs. Arthur Lawford's life takes a disturbing turn after a graveyard encounter, leaving him physically and mentally altered. Haunted by the suspicion of possession by a deceased man, Lawford grapples with a profound identity crisis. De la Mare masterfully crafts a chilling narrative exploring themes of memory, existence, and the soul's essence. With poetic prose and a suspenseful atmosphere, The Return offers a timeless tale of subtle horror and existential dread, captivating fans of gothic fiction and classic literature alike. Prepare for a haunting journey into the shadows of self and the mysteries that linger in the human psyche.

The Return: Experience the Eerie in a Tale of Identity and Haunting Mysteries

3.4 / 33 ratings

Review The Return

Oh, The Return by Walter de la Mare… it's a fascinating, if somewhat frustrating, read. It’s like a beautifully crafted antique box containing a puzzle that isn’t quite solved. The prose is exquisite, de la Mare's writing style is just lovely; it's evocative and atmospheric, painting vivid pictures of the English countryside and the brooding shadows of doubt and uncertainty. He really excels at creating a palpable sense of unease, a creeping dread that settles over the story like a thick fog.

The central mystery—Arthur Lawford's unsettling transformation after a nap in a graveyard—is captivating. It’s a genuinely unsettling premise, one that feels ahead of its time. The ambiguity surrounding the cause of his altered face is what keeps you turning the pages, wondering if it's ghostly possession, a psychological break, or something else entirely. De la Mare masterfully presents the various interpretations, leaving the reader to ponder the possibilities alongside Arthur.

However, the book's strength is also its weakness. The multiple interpretations, while intriguing, sometimes hinder the narrative momentum. The story meanders a bit, taking detours into the perspectives of Arthur’s wife, daughter, the vicar, and the intriguing Herbert and Grisel. While these characters offer different lenses through which to view Arthur’s plight, the length and sometimes lack of direct relevance to the central mystery can be a bit distracting. There are moments where the pacing feels slow, the narrative losing its way amidst lengthy dialogues and descriptive passages that don't always add to the suspense.

There’s a subtle, almost melancholic beauty in the story’s ambiguity, though. It's not a traditional horror story with jump scares and overt violence; instead, the horror lies in the psychological unraveling of Arthur, the gradual erosion of his identity, and the uncertainty of his future. The reactions of those around him—Sheila's fear and judgment, Alice's unwavering love, the vicar’s hesitant optimism, and Herbert and Grisel's enigmatic curiosity—are all well-crafted and add layers of complexity to the narrative. The relationships themselves are captivating, providing moments of genuine emotional resonance within the eerie atmosphere.

Ultimately, The Return isn't a perfectly paced, neatly tied-up narrative. It's more of a lingering impression, a haunting melody that fades slowly from memory but leaves a certain echo behind. It's a book that rewards patient readers willing to immerse themselves in its atmospheric prose and ambiguous mystery. While I wouldn't give it a perfect score, its unique blend of psychological horror, gothic atmosphere, and intriguing character dynamics makes it a worthwhile read for those who appreciate challenging, thought-provoking fiction. It’s a book I’ll likely remember and mull over long after finishing it – and that, in itself, is a testament to its power.