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The Horror Zine Review

Doorways to the Deadeye

by Eric J. Guignard

  • Paperback: 312 pages
  • Publisher: Journalstone (August 30, 2019)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1947654977
  • ISBN-13: 978-1947654976

doorways to the deadeye

Doorways to the Deadeye

by Eric J. Guignard

Review by Jeani Rector

The Depression-era, 1930s America was a fascinating time in history, yet so much written about it is non-fiction. Until now.

Eric J. Guignard brings us the historical novel titled Doorways to the Deadeye. This book delves into the “hobo-code” of symbols etched into fence posts as a means of communication for those riding the rails. A lot of research has gone into Guignard’s work to ensure complete accuracy. He even gives a “dictionary” of the symbols in the pre-pages of the book.

That said, remember I mentioned that this is a fictional novel. Guignard takes historical accuracy and weaves his young character Luke into the fictional story. We see the times through Luke’s eyes, and it includes the friends he meets along the way.

Doorways to the Deadeye creates the unique experience of combining history with the paranormal. This sounds improbable, yet Guignard achieves it with realism. He makes it believable. Therefore, anyone who thinks history is dry and perhaps even tedious should experience this book. Doorways to the Deadeye is anything but boring.

In reading Guignard’s work, I felt as though I was there. I was transported into a time of hardship, of hopelessness for the future, and of a daily struggle just to survive. Food is a luxury and treasured more than gold. In reading this book, I experienced people who help people, and others who will kill you as to look at you. Through this book, I got to ride boxcars and camp in the woods.

And through this book, I got to meet a bank-robber who befriends Luke, but is not always to be trusted. Was he a ghost or a real being? Here is where the paranormal comes in. Guignard weaves in the fantastical, yet still adheres to the story-line, resulting in a fun yet educational romp. The whole book is an exciting adventure in a world where rules don’t always apply.

That does not mean that the book is always upbeat. Guignard introduces the evil character Smith McCain, who throws the hobos off the trains, not caring if the tramps survive the falls. These riders get sent to “The Deadeye,” and fade from history, and even from reality...unless they are remembered by somebody...anybody

And that is where King Shaw comes in, who recounts these tales to a reporter fifty years later. Then the characters in Doorways to the Deadeye come alive all over again.

I enjoyed Doorways to the Deadeye. It will appeal to a lot of readers who like different genres. It is a gateway into horror, yet remains at its core a unique and appealing peek at a time in our history that could be considered horrific all on its own, even without the paranormal. But the paranormal makes it a lot more fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can buy the book HERE

About the author

eric guignard

Eric J. Guignard

Eric J. Guignard has twice won the Bram Stoker Award, been a finalist for the International Thriller Writers Award, and is a multi-nominee of the Pushcart Prize for his works of dark and speculative fiction. He has over one hundred stories and non-fiction author credits appearing in publications around the world; has edited multiple anthologies (including the current series, The Horror Writers Association’s HAUNTED LIBRARY OF HORROR CLASSICS with co-editor Leslie S. Klinger); and has created an ongoing series of author primers championing modern masters of the dark and macabre, EXPLORING DARK SHORT FICTION through his press, Dark Moon Books. His latest books are his short story collection, THAT WHICH GROWS WILD (Cemetery Dance) and novel, DOORWAYS TO THE DEADEYE (JournalStone).

Visit Eric at: www.ericjguignard.com

About the reviewer

Jeani Rector

While most people go to Disneyland while in Southern California, Jeani Rector went to the Fangoria Weekend of Horror there instead.  She grew up watching the Bob Wilkins Creature Feature on television and lived in a house that had the walls covered with framed Universal Monsters posters.  It is all in good fun and actually, most people who know Jeani personally are of the opinion that she is a very normal person. She just writes abnormal stories. Doesn’t everybody?

Jeani Rector is the founder and editor of The Horror Zine and has had her stories featured in magazines such as Aphelion, Midnight Street, Strange Weird and Wonderful, Dark River Press, Macabre Cadaver, Blood Moon Rising, Hellfire Crossroads, Ax Wound, Horrormasters, Morbid Outlook, Horror in Words, Black Petals, 63Channels, Death Head Grin, Hackwriters, Bewildering Stories, Ultraverse, and others.