Review: Where the Chill Waits
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4 stars! I spent 75% of this absolutely terrified for the dogs, even skimming certain parts, until I finally caved and looked it up (thanks, Reddit!). So, so relieved - overjoyed, even - that I don't have to dock a star for this one. It would've been almost forgivable considering that sort of thing was maybe less of a trope when the book was published, but I wouldn't have budged. A rule is a rule.
Three men are invited by their boss on a fishing trip, a sort of corporate tradition he utilizes to measure up a man's worth. It's all very toxic CEO of him, and the men are worried about repercussions if they refuse. It gets even worse when he spontaneously switches their destination and declares it a hunting trip instead - in a remote part of Canada he bought sight unseen to connect with nature. Or something. The men are met by a local guide and venture into the woods. It's not long before things start to go wrong.
I'm a huge fan of forest horror, and wendigo horror, and Where the Chill Waits exquisitely checks both of those boxes. It's a classic and should be more widely-read. Reminded me of King at times, with its deep characterization and amusing details. And, also like some of King's older works, it betrays its age with an annoying female character, and some questionable culture-clashing. But it earns top grades for premise, pacing, and entertainment factor.
I would honestly love to do a deep analysis of how the plot escalates episodically. I just want to talk with someone about some of the scarier moments and insane imagery and the individual character arcs. The book is begging for that type of exchange: "how brutal was it when XYZ..." "can you believe he did this or that..." "OMG when so-and-so turned into the so-and-so..." "the part with the arm..." "the END!!!"
Truly some of the best writing I've encountered. Crisp and fast-paced, the author really succeeds at driving the story along lightly - incorporating some lovely nature writing, too! I mentioned the female character - I personally can't stand worriers, and Janet is a particularly self-righteous one - to a distracting degree. The Native American lore would earn some major hand-wringing today, but I think it's still worth reading with a discerning eye.
I can't wait to revisit this on a road trip, or a camping trip, or a hike. Around a campfire, or on a couch in a cabin in the woods. It's easily up there on my favorites list. Spread the word!
"Hell, he thought, here even the stars take you off-guard. If you can stand and stare skyward with your jaw hung in wonder, how can you dismiss anything?"