THE VISITOR

by Josephine Poole ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 1972

Another revival of English country witchery, sparked by a most diverting devil -- the lanky, violin playing tutor Bogle. Bogle's alter ego emerges gradually; during his first days at the manor of Fury Wood there are subtle hints (the cat's peculiar fondness for him, his goat's hoof inkwell) but soon he's cavorting openly -- sweeping through the house at night in a robe of tabby cat skins and doing the horn dance in the village square. Fifteen year-old Harry, invalided by a recent accident, is an acute but helpless observer of his teacher's strange doings, while his staidly devout sister Margaret and brother-in-law-to-be Rupert (hated by the rustics, who consider him a parvenu) remain oblivious to Bogle's influence among the villagers. By Christmas Eve Bogle has whipped his followers into a frenzied mob that burns Fury Wood (in fulfillment of the old prophecy) and almost kills Harry and destroys the village as well. The theme of Christian vs. pagan is implicitly developed here in the conflict between the upper class interlopers and the yeomen (though perhaps at the expense of developing the characters of Harry and Margaret). But the real tension -- comparable to the high suspense generated by Catch As Catch Can (1970) -- arises from the contrast between Bogle's comfortably eccentric exterior and dark, evil void that lurks behind his eyes.

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1972

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harper & Row

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1972

Categories: FICTION