James Herbert, The Fog

James Herbert, The Fog - Synopsis:

"The peaceful life of a Wiltshire village is shattered when an earthquake releases a cloud of strange fog that drives people insane. There is only one man who can control the violence that has been unleashed. In an exclusive private school, students sexually assaulted and mutilated their teachers, then savagely turned on one another. At a seaside resort, thousands of people joined in a monstrous act of self-destruction. In a lonely room, an old lady was shredded and eaten by her beloved pet cats. In the city, mass copulation and insane slaying spread."

The Fog was Herbert's second novel, first published back in 1975 following the release of The Rats. The Fog continues Herbert's creation of the splatterpunk genre, as it pours out lashings of violence and gore. The storyline is gripping and fast, dragging you through a world of obscene violence that will keep you reading into the wee hours of the morning. Characterization is quickly constructed, spending more time on racing you from one horrific incidence to the next. Recent films such as "28 days later" and "Outbreak" take a lot from the novel.

The Fog is one of the greatest splatterpunk novels ever, and really sets the pace for following authors. Herbert proves himself to be a master of the genre, with this truly awesome and terrifying novel. I really can't say enough about this book. It is an important must for anyone who has even the faintest interest in the horror genre. Please, if you love horror...buy this novel. You really won't be disappointed!