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The Loneliness of Miscommunication
The Curse of Balar follows the inhabitants of a decaying town starting with the murder of a young woman and leading to a sequence of vengeful events.What was the inspiration for this collection of stories?
I was working on another Gothic Horror novel (coming soon). For inspiration, I went back to the classics of the genre (e.g. Dracula, Frankenstein, etc.) and discovered that there might be unexplored aspects of the genre. The roles of female characters – for instance – were often limited. They were forced to accept what the male characters did to them – this did not seem right to me. All the stories flowed from this idea of subverting some of the tropes and seeing what came out of it.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
Humans are contradictory animals. The angel of the mind is always at odds with the ape of the body – in some sense. For me, there is story (and to some extent, horror) in this inner conflict. We are capable of feeling great guilt, but we are not so capable of avoiding the cause of that guilt in the first place. Furthermore, we have sophisticated means of communicating (what other species has a writing system), yet we are doomed to misinterpret each other or hide our true feelings behind euphemisms and lies.
This has become a feature of my writing: the loneliness of miscommunication. This is perhaps a battle only literature can win. But for now, it is what interests me most and what keeps me coming back to the keyboard.
What intrigues you about the horror and paranormal genres that led you to write this book?
Scary stories stay with you. They stayed with me from childhood – a childhood in which I was given free rein of a library. I wandered into sections that were meant for older readers. I guess strange things happen when you finish all the Goosebumps and move on to Stephen King.
Furthermore, the unknown is scary – the unknown is a mystery (by its very definition). An unanswered question is what keeps me reading for all good books have a sense of mystery about them. Horror seems to embrace this aspect better than any other genre. Balar was my first step into this realm as a writer, and I hope that I instill that same sense of awe and curiosity in my readers.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am working on the rest of the Balar series. I am writing the next two installments concurrently. The first one is The Doom of Balar which I hope to release somewhere near the end of May 2024. There is a murder mystery at the heart of this short story collection, as Inspector Skender discovers a rather strange body left on display just outside the town. As he follows his leads, we discover more stories about the doomed residents of Balar.
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Beasts stalk the woods, the dead rise from their graves, and not all is as it seems. Everyone carries a secret — a secret that can either be a blessing or a curse.
Welcome to Balar, a secluded town in the Carpathian Mountains. With the turn of the Twentieth Century looming, the townsfolk cling onto old traditions and superstitions while the world around them steadily marches into a new age. But all is not well in this backwater, for paranormal killers stalk the streets, strange creatures wonder the woods, and a mysterious resident has moved into the ruined castle on the hill.
Now, strangers arrive in town in search of lost treasure, destiny, and blood. Will they find what they seek or will they — like many before them — succumb to the Curse of Balar.
Thirteen stories of supernatural horror await the bravest readers in this, the first of a series of stories exploring the many secrets of the cursed town of Balar.
Warning! This book contains adult themes of violence and sexual conduct. +18
No AI was used in the creation of this book.
The Curse of Balar
The Curse of Balar by Marcel M. du Plessis is a notable addition to the horror genre. It presents a series of interconnected stories that delve into the supernatural and the human psyche. The book commences with “The Sharpest Shadows,” a tale laced with tragedy and retribution. The murder of a young woman leads to a chilling sequence of vengeful events. This story sets the tone for the book, blending the eerie and the grotesque with a poignant examination of guilt.
In another gripping narrative, “The Beast of Scaffold Hill,” du Plessis crafts a vivid depiction of the decaying town of Balar, a setting that becomes a character in its own right. The story’s protagonists, Cutter and Scratch, are grave robbers whose grisly profession leads them into a spiral of supernatural encounters. The tension escalates as Cutter, haunted by memories of his abusive father, confronts both the literal and metaphorical ghosts of his past. du Plessis excels in creating an atmosphere that is both foreboding and immersive. The book’s setting, with its dark woods, ominous church, and ruined castle, plays a crucial role in heightening the sense of dread. The stories, while rooted in the supernatural, offer a profound exploration of themes like the consequences of one’s actions, guilt, and supernatural justice. Through characters like Cutter, du Plessis explores the complex interplay of past trauma and present horrors. While the book’s supernatural elements are compelling, it is the human element – the exploration of characters’ moral dilemmas and their struggles with guilt and punishment – that resonates most deeply.
The Curse of Balar is a spine-tingling horror recommendation that is sure to send shivers down your spine. This captivating tale not only scares but also delves into the depths of the human psyche, exploring the darker aspects of the human condition. With its thought-provoking narrative and expertly crafted plot, this collection of short stories is a must-read for any fan of horror.
Pages: 349 | ASIN : B0C99HBPTY
LITERARY TITAN 