I am revisiting some books I did not previously give feedback on.

This group of novellas is very creepy. My favorites sections involved the delivery driver, but all are good. I decided to listen to the audio version. The combination of Malerman’s creativity and the excellent narrator Dominic Hoffman made it soooo good! I will look up this person and listen to more.

I wasn’t able to listen to this book alone or at night. Eek. Spooky!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book. I checked out the audio version from my library.

I posted a review of this book on Goodreads and Amazon US.

**3.5 stars**

Goblin is a unique town in Michigan; much like other fictional locations such as Derry, Maine or Twin Peaks. Quite a strange, dark, and odd place with a foundation of death and betrayal like many other towns, especially in the USA. It’s definitely described very well so you’ll feel like you’re there getting rained on while reading.

Overall this was a good collection. A bit odd but Goblin is an odd place. There’s a mix of horror and mystery with a touch of humor and sadness. My favorite stories were the prologue/epilogue, Presto, and The Hedges. I liked the ending.

I’d love another couple of stories about the Goblin police department and the witch of the Northwoods.

I bought a hardcover edition, got the audiobook from the library, and received a e-arc from the publisher via NetGalley (thanks to the publisher for that). It was released in 2021, glad I finally got to it this year.

I usually like Josh Malerman novels, but this one was a little too ... kitchy and dark for my tastes. I kept trying to read it several times but couldn't really get into it. I'm not really into short story books like this anyway.

Josh Malerman is a phenomenal writer. That's a given. So, obviously I enjoyed Goblin, an atmospheric collection of six creepy and tense novellas centered around the small town of Goblin. Goblin is mysterious and haunting, shadowed by constant rain with dark forces lurking in the shadows.

Some of the stories worked better for me than others. My favorite was The Hedges, which introduced the creepiest cops I can imagine. Seriously, I don't have words. I'm not sure if this counts as one of the novellas, but the Prologue/Epilogue story, centered on a delivery driver on his way to Goblin with some mysterious cargo, was probably tied with The Hedges for me. Some of the other stories dragged on and on and then just ended abruptly, leaving me wanting more (I'm looking at you, Kamp).

Goblin may not be perfect, but what does work in this collection is bizarre and unsettling in a really satisfying way.

Malerman, what can I say? Sorry to say this was a DNF for me. Goes into my Malerman collection, but it was just too slow for me. Couldn’t finish it.

Raise your hand if you’ve ever thought you were going to absolutely love a book and then ended up being sorely disappointed when you finished? 🙋🏻‍♀️ Of course this has happened to me more times than I care to count, but this one hurt, it hurt bad.

I was drawn in by the premise of “A Novel in Six Novellas,” I’m a sucker for different storylines all tied together in a neat little bow at the end. That did not happen with Goblin. The only ties between the novellas was the setting (a rainy night in Goblin, MI) and some of the characters mentioned throughout other stories. The prologue and epilogue are tied together but the six novellas in between are standalone tales.

My favorites: A Man in Slices; Happy Birthday, Hunter!; and Presto. Not so much: Kamp, A Mix-Up at the Zoo, and The Hedges.

I thoroughly enjoy Malerman’s writing and all of those faves were 5 stars, but I just can’t get past my bookish pet peeve of unfinished business in a story, or in this case, a collection of stories. Altogether, a dissatisfying 3 stars.

This set of novellas really shows the things that can go on in a small town.
It reminds me of the town in Needful Things.
Happy Birthday Hunter, Kano and Presto were by far my favorites. All the stories are great but these stood out.
I loved the visuals of the Owls, the way that the flashback and history were done.
It took me way too long to read this and now I see all the connections in the other books talking about this town.

Josh Malerman’s Goblin is a spellbinding and eerie collection of interconnected novellas that transport readers to the unsettling and mysterious town of Goblin. Known for his imaginative storytelling and ability to craft deeply unsettling atmospheres, Malerman delivers a unique and chilling experience that is both haunting and thought-provoking.

Set in the fictional town of Goblin, the book comprises six tales that weave together to create a larger narrative about this peculiar place. Each novella stands on its own, yet they all share common threads and recurring themes that paint a comprehensive picture of Goblin’s eerie charm and dark secrets. The town itself becomes a character, its foggy streets, oppressive weather, and enigmatic residents contributing to the pervasive sense of unease.

Malerman’s ability to create a rich and immersive setting is evident throughout Goblin. The town’s strange and surreal atmosphere is vividly brought to life, drawing readers into its unsettling embrace. From the constant rain and the mysterious creatures that lurk in the shadows to the peculiar customs and superstitions of its residents, Goblin is a place where the ordinary and the supernatural blend seamlessly.

The first novella, A Man in Slices, sets the tone with its disturbing tale of friendship and obsession. It introduces readers to Charles, a young man whose loyalty to his friend Neal leads him down a dark and twisted path. Malerman’s knack for building tension and crafting memorable characters is on full display here, making for an unsettling and compelling read.

In Kamp, the second novella, Malerman explores the theme of guilt and the lengths one will go to escape it. The story follows Walter Kamp, a man with a peculiar fear of being caught in the rain. His obsession drives him to extreme measures, revealing the darker aspects of human nature. Malerman’s exploration of Walter’s psyche is both chilling and poignant, adding depth to the collection.

Happy Birthday, Hunter! introduces readers to a renowned big-game hunter who comes to Goblin to pursue the ultimate prey. This story delves into themes of hubris and the thrill of the hunt, leading to a shocking and gruesome conclusion. Malerman’s vivid descriptions and masterful pacing make this one of the standout tales in the collection.

The fourth novella, Presto, revolves around a magician named Roman Emperor, whose desire to perform the perfect trick leads him to Goblin. The story blends elements of horror and dark fantasy, showcasing Malerman’s versatility as a storyteller. The novella’s blend of magic and menace is both captivating and unsettling.

In A Mix-Up at the Zoo, Malerman takes readers into the life of Dirk Rogers, a zookeeper who becomes entangled in a bizarre and nightmarish situation. The story’s exploration of fear and madness is both gripping and terrifying, highlighting the author’s skill in creating psychological horror.

The final novella, The Hedges, brings the collection to a fittingly eerie conclusion. It follows a man named Peter as he navigates the labyrinthine hedges of Goblin, uncovering the town’s deepest and darkest secrets. Malerman’s use of suspense and his ability to evoke a sense of dread make this a powerful and memorable ending to the collection.

Throughout Goblin, Malerman’s prose is both lyrical and unsettling, capturing the strange beauty and underlying horror of the town. His characters are richly drawn and deeply human, their fears and desires driving the narratives forward. The interconnected nature of the stories adds depth to the collection, making each novella more impactful as part of the larger tapestry of Goblin.

In conclusion, Goblin is a masterfully crafted collection that showcases Josh Malerman’s talent for blending horror, fantasy, and psychological suspense. With its richly imagined setting, compelling characters, and chilling narratives, the book is a must-read for fans of dark and atmospheric fiction. Malerman’s ability to create a sense of unease that lingers long after the final page makes Goblin a standout work that will haunt readers and leave them yearning for more tales from this enigmatic town.

Josh Malerman is an amazing author. I reach for anything with his name attached and this one does not disappoint. If you are a fan of the authors other works, you won’t be dissappointed.

Goblin was a book written in six connected novellas and I’m here for it. All of the novellas wove together seamlessly. I really enjoyed reading Goblin. It was unique and spooky and a great read for a fall night!

Another win for Josh Malerman. This is my 2nd book by them and their writing continues to blow me away. I am defn a huge fan after this book and I really hope I get to read more. 1st of all the cover art is amazing. 2nd, the plot and story are fantastic and the characters are so diverse and well written. This is a fun little gem and if you these types of book and genres I highly recommend it

A solid read and my first from Malerman, I dug the separate but interconnected novella format. The town of Goblin has a rich and amazing history. Will definitely have to read more from Josh.

Goblin tells us that Malerman has been, all along, way more than he was letting on. It's a powerful collection, and demonstrates just how unique and amazing Malerman's works can be.

I enjoyed this inventive take, a novel in novellas is a great concept.

I really just enjoyed the world building here, and what makes each of Malerman's works wonderful is how different they all are from one another, including the novellas here.

I didnt realize this was a collection of short stories. I am just not a fan of this type of reading. I did ready four or five of these, but was left unsatisfied. I prefer to read books that I can really get into and read for a long while. The ones I read were good and entertaining but just not enough for me,

I keep trying short story collections, but unfortunately, they never work for me. I didn't have enough time to truly get invested in the stories I liked, and sadly there were quite a few duds that I never connected with from the get go.

Thank you to Del Rey for the e-ARC of Goblin, however, since I’m incredibly late at this review I picked up a finished copy from the library.

DNF @ around 150 pages.

This just didn’t hit for me. I felt incredibly bored & I can barely remember the stories I did get through. I still really adore Malerman’s other works but this one just didn’t do it for me.

After attempting to read this e-arc and then the audiobook when it came out, I have come to the conclusion that I would rather see this authors work as movies.

Originally available in a very limited edition that’s now out of print, Malerman’s (Bird Box) 2017 work is a tale about a town named Goblin that has a horrific past, shady characters across its history, and lots and lots of rain. It’s a book told in pieces—six novellas and a pair of framing stories; the first story, “A Man in Slices,” is a fitting way to start things off, with a quite literal deconstruction of the burdens of toxic friendship. From there, we see the darkest shades of Bradbury, but also Harlan Ellison and, yes, Stephen King. It’s hard not to compare the town of Goblin to King’s haunted Derry. But at its heart, Goblin is all Malerman. Throughout the stories, he writes like a downhill train, weaving Goblin’s past and present into one rain-soaked horror show with stories featuring, among others, a man obsessed with being scared to death by a ghost; a hunter with forbidden game on his mind; and a magician whose magic might not be “clean.”
VERDICT These stories offer up a history lesson and guided tour of a severely troubled town. The writer-as-tour-guide is very clearly enjoying the trip, and it’s impossible not to revel in the dark glee.
Reviewed by Alex Giannini , Mar 12, 2021

The town of Goblin has creepy policeman, magicians, history, eerie graveyards, and lots of rain. This book is comprised of six novellas located within the strange town of Goblin.

Some moments were incredibly eerie and unsettling, some characters were weird and punchable, and some endings were nonsensical or fell flat. I wish some of the more weird questions of the book were explained, but instead felt left hanging.

I wish there was more to Goblin as a character, creepy things happen within the town, but it fails to draw itself as a unique and compelling “character” contributing to these stories. There’s got to be more to Goblin!