Harvest Home | 
pickThis classic 1973 folk-horror novel definitely lived up to its reputation. While I found the main character underdeveloped in terms of motivation and emotion, the world he describes with increasing fascination and revulsion is a truly chilling one: a small Connecticut town, lots of corn, and unspeakable pagan rites hidden for generations in the depths of the forest. This is really the perfect slow burn October read for fans of the spooky season.
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pickPublished in 1973, this book still holds up pretty well. The Constantines desire a slower life and move from the city to Cornwall Coombe. Told by the father, Ned, we as a reader fall in love with this quiet and quaint community only to start to see the edges become tinged by shadows of something that isn‘t quite right. The language is thick and immersive. The ending takes you all the way. I thought this was brilliant. A big folk horror pick!
“Don‘t finish it when you‘re home alone” my mother said. Being 17, did I listen? No. Scared the 💩 out of me. #harvest #fallisbooked @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620
pickI first read this as a teen and loved it. I recently reread it and am happy to report I liked it just as much as an adult. It‘s one of my favorite horror concepts....the slow build up of knowing something is off and waiting for the reveal as story continues. Bette Davis perfectly played ‘the widow‘ in a TV drama of this story.
pickThe book is a slow burner that provides dark clues regarding the narrator's fate from page one. It is up to the reader to expect the worse & pick apart each chapter while understanding nothing good can come from Cornwall Combe.
My only complaint is the book's pacing. With this said, let me state that I'm fine with its slow burn. But, I feel the author really cheated himself out of some of the kills & a more descriptive end.
Still a good book.
Although the end is predictable, and it isn't as climatic as I had hoped, especially since the author decides to tell, not show, I still enjoyed Harvest Home.
Also, I felt the ending was rather rushed, but still the horrors of everyone being against you and out to get you is unnerving no matter how it us presented. Expect with this classic a "Wicker Man" or "Rosemary's Baby" concept.
MAJOR SPOILER & speculation
I think Beth is just as guilty as the town. I think she knew what the town was before they relocated there. I'm not sure if their arrival was by spell casting or fate, but I'm nearing the end of the novel and loose ends are becoming tied.
MAJOR SPOILER!
Theadore now understands Harvest Home is a fertility ritural. The doll that he found on Justin's property is a representation of the goddess that the locals worship.
Having understood the horrors that has occured, he begins to suspect that Worthy hasn't left town, instead he has been murdered.
As expected, when he tries explaining everything to Beth she doesn't believe or trust him. Rather, she is defending the townspeople.
MAJOR SPOILER
The motive behind both crimes is because Jack & Gracie were going to tell about the dark secrets of the town. But since Gracie was murdered on the day of Harvest Home, I'm expecting she was a sacrifice for something.
Also, Theadore has learned from Tamara, when she seduced him, that the ritural of making the corn is for the Corn Maden & Harvest Lord to conceive. Upon this it will produce a bountiful harvest that will grant money.
MAJOR SPOILER!
With this reveal, Theadore tries to strangle Tamar to death, but she ends up seducing him. Of course, she escapes & tells Beth that he raped her.
In this time, he has started putting 2 & 2 together. As earlier on, the hobo Jack Stump, has been brutalized & has had his tongue cut out. While the Widow blames the tragedy on the family known as the Soakes', Theadore finds the Widow's scissors near the crime scene. *Continued*
MAJOR SPOILER!
Damn! As expected, the doctor confirmed that Gracie died as a virgin. In regards to Beth being pregnant, the doctor confirms Theadore is sterile.
Later, while in the woods, Tamar admitted to killing Gracie. Also, the skull that Theadore earlier found in the tree was Gracie's as Tamar admitted that she & Widow Fortune placed her bones in the trees.
Yet, the worse hasn't happened.
MAJOR SPOILER!
As Theadore is conversing with Sophie Hook, he learns that although Gracie was rumored to be pregnant, she wasn't, which means she probably was a virgin. Also, Sophie explains Gracie was sickly & she was not allowed to be corn maiden in the play due to her illness.
By how the Widow Fortune & other residents are acting, I believe they killed Sophie because she was a runt. Atm Theadore is speaking to Gracie's doctor to learn more.
During Theadore's investigations, he discovers that Gracie wrote a cryptic letter to Roger, expressing her love for him and how she wanted to "Make the Corn" with him. The whole time this is occuring, I'm wondering what hell is in store for Theadore's family. Also, why isn't Roger around? What fate lays in store for Justin and his wife? More important, I want to get to the bottom of Gracie's cryptic last letter.
Meanwhile, Worthy has denounced the old ways and has left town. Also, the celebration of Harvest Home has began. As Beth and Theadore attend the opening night of the Harvest Lord and Corn Maiden play, Theadore sees the actions of the characters "Making the Corn" reflect fertility and paganism. When speaking with Justin Hook about the play he admits they dont worship Father God but Mother Earth. Durning this time, Theadore is investigating Gracie.
Well, Widow Fortune has talked Beth into forgiving Theadore. With this, Kate reveals she's pregnant and is to deliver in the spring. Yet, they are not allowed to name their baby, the Widow Fortune wants Missy, the oracle, to do it for them. Although Theadore doesn't like the idea, Beth reasons that respecting the widow's wishes is the least they can do considering what all the widow has done for them.
While Tamar lost her home due to Gracie, she is far from sainthood. As a matter of fact, she tried to seduce Theadore. Of course, Beth learns of this trouble by picking her husband, then she accuses him of cheating, when he didn't. However, that isnt the worst of what happens as Kate actually dies from an asthma attack then is resuscitated by the Widow Fortune & Mrs. Dodd. Although Kate is okay, Beth is starting for feel creeped out by the Widow.
Elaborating on Gracie, Tamar says Gracie is the reason why she lost her home, which is the home Theadore resides in.
Furthermore, she claims that Gracie denounced the title of Corn Maiden & rejected the Harvest Lord, Rodger. Due to her actions, Rodger Penrose picked Tamra to be his Corn Maiden, which she accepted. Also, Tamar claims Gracie was crazy & bad news. Overall, she's glad Gracie is gone.
Pieces of the puzzle are coming together.
Ah, good old fashioned, old town drama. I was wondering why Gracie not being a virgin prevented her from being Corn Maiden. After all, the current Corn Maiden and Harvest Lord are both not virgins and already married.
Well, in convo with Theadore, Tamra explains that she and a majority of the town feel it's wrong for Justin and his wife to have these titles, seeing that they are already married. *continued*
Though it sounds like Gracie committed suicide due to her being stripped of the Corn Maiden title, I'm suspecting there is something more sinister at play.
*Spoiler*
She was stripped of the title because she had premarital sex.
I believe loose ends are starting to come together.
As Theadore is in conversation, he learns that the church bells in Cornwall Coombe has rung for all funerals except the funeral of Gracie Everdeen. The reason for this negelct was due to her committing suicide. Although she was supposed to be Corn Maiden, she is not honored but shamed. Because of her actions the town buried her in an unmarked grave outside the cemetery.
*Continued*
So, I assume that occult date rape was huge back when this book and "Rosemary's Baby" were released.
In this scenario, the Widow Fortune has gifted Theadore and Beth an old, wooden keg of mead. Upon them drinking it, Theadore ascends into a trippy scene of dancing Satyrs and flute music. These delusions continue as he and his wife have sex under the influence.
I can't help but think they just participated in a conception ritural.
In conversation with the Dodds, they explain to Theadore that Missy's freckles are like consitllations, and this connection with the universe is what gives her psychic powers. Furthermore, they suggest the Widow Fortune gathers her healing powers from old philosophies. This is why she has healed more people than any modern day doctor.
My thoughts, this is like the occult aspect of "Rosemary's Baby" mating with "Little House on the Prairie."
This is also when Worthy explains he plans to leave Corwall Coombe as soon as he can, which will be when he turns 17, as everything here from farming to philosophy and superstition is too olden for his tastes.
For a second opinion, Theadore goes to the Dodds, where Robert suggests this town was founded on old beliefs, ones that predate Christianity. An example of this is given when he describes Missy, the town oracle. *continued*
By ch 15, Theadore has begun painting Justin Hooke's portrait. As he is exploring Hooke's property, he finds a disturbing folk art doll, described as a poppet. Rather than telling Justin what he found, he takes the doll and shows Worthy, which he and Worthy have become good friends. Upon Worthy seeing the doll, he is convinced there is something wicked in store for Hooke. Rather than show Hooke, Worthy suggests the doll be rid of. *continued*
By chapter 13, Kate has become smitten by Worthy. In this time, Theadore encounters a ghost. Even more gruesome, as he is wandering the woods, he encounters a human skull that has been lodged in the opening of a split tree trunk. The ghastly discovery is intensified due to the skull producing a screaming sound. This occurs when the wind blows past its open jaw. Following his experiences, Theadore keeps these horrors to himself.
It turns out the play comes from the olden days before Cornwall Coombe existed. This year, Justin Hooke is to be the Harvest Lord and his wife is to be the Corn Maiden. The play tells the story from the growing of the corn.
Over the next few chapters, weeks pass into September. During this time, Theadore becomes friends with another local named Justin Hooke. While becoming closer with the Widow Fortune, he learns about the town's yearly celebrations. In order, this includes: Planting Day, Spring Festival, Midsummer's Eve, Agnis Fair, the Days of Seasoning, and the Four Days of Harvest Home, which includes, "The Corn Play" and Kindling Night.
Hey #teamraven! These are some of the books I‘ve been eyeing for our swap.
💀Asylum by Madeline Roux (YA)
💀My Best Friend‘s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix
💀The Ritual by Adam Nevill
💀Kill Creek by Scott Thomas or
💀The House on Cold Hill by Peter James.
Any thoughts?
#HGPBC @TheWordJar @CindyMyLifeIsLit @LiteraryLona
CH 7 continues at the Agnis Fair where Kate suffers an asthma attack. Sadly, Theadore forgot her inhaler at home. While he is crying out for a doctor, the Widow Forunte runs to Kate, reaches in her purse, and pulls out a tonic. After she applies a few drops of this remedy into Kate's mouth, Kate's breathing begins to regulate. To Theadore's amazement, Kate sits upright and acts as if nothing was the matter. We need remedies like this!!!
CH 6 shows family time at the Agnis Fair. Worthy shows up on a tractor, which shows his defiance against the old ways of life. Another insight into the community is the town's mentality. Due to them not having a school, the residents of Cornwall Coombe believe anything that's told to them. An example is how one of the men believes Italy has spaghetti farms where they harvest pasta from the fields.
This ch is also when we meet Jack. A hobo sort of a man, who the widow healed twice. Once was when she applied a special salve to his boils and caused them to disappear. Another time, she gave him a red bag that healed his tooth ache.
In her explanation, she says the 7th year is always bigger, & she explains about Agnis, who the Angis Fair is named after. It seems Agnis rose up against Cornwall Coombe & cursed the land to become barren. Following her curse, she was killed. For the next 6 years the land remained infertile. On the 7th year, her spirit returned, repenting. Upon her visit, she promised to grant the land bountiful crops if an annual fair was held in her honor.
Ch 5 regards a buggy ride that Theadore takes with the Widow Fortune. Here, she speaks of superstitions. It begins when she notices a wart on Theadore's hand, and comments that a red bag will cure him. *I imagine this to be a gris gris bag.* He inquires what is Harvest Home, and she explains it is a time of celebration after the crops are harvested, and every seven years they host a larger celebration compared to the prior six years. *continued*
He notes they wanted more children, but Beth is unable to bear due to her complicated pregnancy with Kate.
As small talk continues, Theadore mentions he wants to try farming & is considering a tractor. Widow Fortune immediately advises against a tractor as it can't accomplish what natural hard work can produce. To assist him, she offers up Worthy to help him farm. With Worthy being an eager community hand, he has no objections to help.
Ch 4 introduces a boy named Worthy, who Theadore meets upon visiting Widow Forture. As Theadore is there to give her an offering of cinnamon rolls as a neighborly gesture, backstory is developed.
Via dialogue, Widow Fortune explains how she sees the town's children as her own, & she inquires about Kate. Theodore notes she is adjusting though her asthma has worsened. In their conversation, he mentions, he, Kate, & Beth are all single children.
Ch 3 provides a darker insight on Cornwall Coombe. It is speculated that most of the town has practiced incest since more than half of the population shares the same name. Kate also explains to her parents that the locals have moon fever, because she has seen them dance under a full moon in the fields. Also, she claims that Tamar's daughter, Missy, is an oracle.
When reading this, did anyone else catch the symbolism of the yellow bird?
I am captivated by the rich characters & amish setting.
I find it interesting how a great deal of residents share the last name Penrose. Also, it's somewhat unnerving how the entire town of Cornwall Coombe seems like they rely on Widow Fortune. Since she is detailed as a grim character with horsedrawn buggy, I sense she personifies death. Considering how the Dodds speak friendly with Widow Fortune, this suggests they are guilty by association.
When Theodore inquires about doctors & such for the area, he learns that the Widow Fortune, the elderly lady in black, is a jack of all trades & is the town's doctor, midwife, herbalist, vet, etc.
Aside from there being low medical options, this town doesn't have a school. There is nothing more than a church, a tavern, a library, general stores, a bank, the post office, a barber shop, a beauty shop, and farming as far as the eye can see.
After returning to New York, they receive a call from a Mrs. Dodd, who allows them to look at the property while her husband settles on a price. Despite Theadore expecting the cost to be high, he is surprised when Mr. Dodd quotes a low & affordable fee.
While conversing with Mr. Dodd, who is a professor, he learns the history of the land. Mrs. Dodd elaborates on their crops where the area is prosperous for wheat, tobacco, & most of all, corn.
Furthermore, they learn Tamar Penrose is the town post mistress, who is likely out in the fields for "Planting Day."
Regardless, they venture into town and find the post office closed. Low on options, they find an elderly lady in black tending to graves and provide her with their info. Knowing she isn't the homeowner, they ask that she relay their info to the correct person.
CH 2 explains how Theadore & Beth first learned of the home in which they currently reside. Nearby, they & their daughter, Kate, attended the funeral of Beth's father. Afterwards, they become lost on their journey & end up in Cornwall Coombe.
Wandering about, they discover an abandoned home on Penrose Lane. While admiring its structure, a neighbor asks their business. Upon noting their interest, they learn the owner's name is Tamar Penrose.
The book opens introducing Theadore & Beth, who are husband & wife. Having become too worried about living in New York, due to its crime, they have fled the city & relocated to a New England town named Cornwall Coombe. Here, they reside in an eighteenth century country house.
Being at the end of August, their lazy Saturday is about to become filled with fun as they are are going to attend the annual folk festival known as The Agnes Fair.
Much of the reading I've done in my absence over the last year has been reading and collecting folk horror. This is one I bought for Kindle but I really wanted a print copy- came in a plastic wrap and is in great quality. I guess you could call this my first antiquitarian acquisition! 😂❤️
so-so2 out of 5 stars. You can find my review on Goodreads. Apparently, Litsy found my rant too wordy. 😄
