“Cannibals” is a horror novel by Guy N. Smith, published in 1976. Known for his talent in creating gruesome and suspenseful horror stories, Smith offers another chilling narrative in this novel, delving into the macabre and primal aspects of human nature.
Plot Summary
In the shadowy depths of the mountain caves of Blair Long, a sinister presence looms—a band of grotesque monsters, twisted and deformed by generations of inbreeding. This dark secret has long been guarded by the remote Highland village, concealed from the prying eyes of the outside world. However, when a local fisherman decides to capitalize on tourism by constructing holiday chalets near the caves, the veil of secrecy is torn asunder.
As unsuspecting visitors arrive to enjoy the tranquil beauty of the Scottish Highlands, they unwittingly stumble upon the village’s darkest secret. From the depths of the caves, the monstrous inhabitants emerge, driven by primal instincts to mutilate and kill.
The once-peaceful retreat transforms into a nightmare as the grotesque creatures unleash their savage fury upon the hapless tourists. Panic and chaos reign as the villagers scramble to contain the terror that has been unleashed upon their doorstep.
Amidst the carnage, a chilling conspiracy of silence is shattered, revealing the horrifying truth that has been hidden for generations. As the body count rises and the village descends into madness, the survivors must confront the terrifying reality of their own mortality.
This gripping tale of horror explores the darkest corners of human nature, delving into themes of isolation, fear, and the destructive consequences of secrets kept buried. With its spine-tingling suspense and visceral imagery, “The Monsters of Blair Long” is a pulse-pounding journey into the heart of darkness—a place where the line between humanity and monstrosity blurs, and the sins of the past come back to haunt the present. Brace yourself for a descent into madness that will leave you breathless and haunted long after the final page is turned.
Themes and Style
- Survival Horror: The primary theme of the novel is survival, with the characters facing extreme conditions that force them to confront their primal instincts.
- Human Depravity: “Cannibals” delves into the dark side of human nature, examining what people are capable of when pushed to the brink.
- Isolation: The setting of a remote island adds to the novel’s atmosphere of isolation and hopelessness, heightening the sense of dread and fear.
- Cultural Clash: The interactions between the survivors and the indigenous tribes highlight themes of cultural misunderstanding and the clash between civilization and primal customs.
Reception
“Cannibals” received mixed reviews from readers and critics. Fans of Guy N. Smith’s work appreciated the novel for its intense and graphic depiction of horror and survival. The vivid descriptions and relentless pace kept readers engaged, while the psychological aspects of the story added depth to the terror. However, some critics found the subject matter too disturbing and the characters not as well developed as they could be.
Author Background
Guy N. Smith (1939-2020) was a prolific British author known for his contributions to the horror genre. With over 100 novels, his works often feature elements of the supernatural, the macabre, and the grotesque. He is perhaps best known for his “Crabs” series, which involves giant killer crabs terrorizing humanity. Smith’s ability to create gripping and eerie stories has earned him a dedicated following among horror enthusiasts.
Legacy
While “Cannibals” may not be as widely recognized as some of Smith’s other works, it remains a notable entry in his extensive body of horror fiction. The novel’s exploration of human survival and depravity continues to resonate with readers who appreciate dark and intense narratives.
Overall, “Cannibals” is a classic example of Guy N. Smith’s ability to blend visceral horror with psychological depth, creating a story that is both horrifying and thought-provoking. The novel stands out for its unflinching look at the darker aspects of human nature and the lengths to which people will go to survive.
My writing career began at an early age with 56 stories published in a local newspaper “The Tettenhall Observer”. I was inspired by the boys’ papers of the 1950s, Adventure, Rover, Hotspur, Wizard etc., all of which I read weekly.
Times changed to meet the demands of a new young readership. Many of those story papers either ceased publication or had their original text content replaced with picture strip stories.
As the years progressed I tried to find a market for my kind of stories. Then, by chance, a copy of “Our Boys” came my way. It was published by the Educational Company of Ireland, Dublin, and part of it was in the Irish language.
Tales of the Mounties (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) have always fascinated me so I introduced a character of my own, Kincaid. He featured in 5 stories; “The Coming of Kincaid” (October 1971) “Kincaid Cleans Up” (November 1971) “A Man called Blaze” (December 1971) “Scourge of the North West” (May 1972) and “Yukon Pursuit” (June 1972).
The September 1971 issue carried a story entitled “The Dive of Death”, about a stunt man featuring in a sports film”.
Science fiction was another genre which I had read extensively in my boyhood, nothing sophisticated like modern stories, virtually all concerning aliens landing on Earth or spaceships visiting a variety of planets in the Universe. My “The Beast from Space”, was set on Dartmoor where a monster from space lands, armed with a gun that shrivels up anything at which it is aimed.
All very basic, but reflecting stories which had once enthralled young readers. “Cannibal Island” (March 1972), a story of a cargo ship on its way to Hawaii to deliver a load of grain, is swept off course by a hurricane. The crew survive and they go ashore on an unknown island which happens to be inhabited by cannibals… Was this the germ of an idea which led to my novel “Cannibals” (Arrow 1986)?
Sadly, “Our Boys” is long gone, but for a short time it had provided me with a market for the type of fiction I would have loved to write had I been old enough in the days of those story papers which had thrilled me in my boyhood.
Guy N. Smith