Myth
by R J Dent
R J Dent’s debut novel, Myth, is now available in paperback and e-book formats from Amazon.
Myth is a dark, erotic horror/fantasy novel set on a Greek island. It tells the story of a holidaying couple who hear about the chimera, a strange mythical creature that lives in the hills. They, of course, are sceptical, but also curious. Eventually, curiosity wins out and they set off with a guide, up into the hills to see the chimera for themselves.
Obviously things aren’t as they seem and the couple end up trapped in the hills. The man, James Barrett, defends himself against an attacker, but becomes susceptible to the suggestion that he is now the mythical beast, having defeated the one that attacked him.
He rejects this idea and instead focuses on caring for Penny, his injured partner. He then tries to get back to the village, only to realise that the whole village have duped him. He then opts for revenge against the village and goes on the rampage, destroying everyone he comes into contact with. He becomes monstrous.
R J Dent states: ‘I wrote Myth because I was interested in the way people change when they’re on holiday – they either go native, become very nationalistic, or else become a wistful hybrid of the two. That was my starting point. I then simply added a Greek myth scenario, using the chimera as the indigenous antagonist.
‘The Greek myth element decided the location, and the rest was simply charting what happened to the couple. I used Pavese’s idea that ‘travelling is a brutality’, and that was it; I had my novel. All that was needed was an ending – which was made clear to me after I read Robert Graves’ comment that every Greek myth had a regional variation. With that in mind, I gave Myth seven very different regional variations.’
Just to put the book into context, one reviewer has written that Myth is ‘a cross between An American Werewolf in London and Clive Barker’s Nightbreed.’ If you haven’t seen Nightbreed, it’s a film based on Clive Barker’s excellent novel, Cabal. It’s a marvellous film and a great read.
‘Writing Myth was a very good experience,’ says R J Dent. ‘I used a great deal of my familiarity with, and love of, various Greek islands, to inform my novel. I used locations, characters, names, etc, that I know well. For the last seven years I’ve steeped myself in Greek culture. Some of that is reflected in Myth.’
The book details are:
Myth
by R J Dent
ISBN: 1 – 843862 – 67 – 0
Paperback and e-book
You can get Myth from Amazon:
e-book:
Paperback:
You can find out more about Myth and R J Dent’s other books at:
R J Dent 
January 17, 2012 at 7:15 am |
Yeah, I read this and thought it was a bit like Clive Barker’s Cabal (Nightbreed). A bit gorier, though. The sex and the violence were quite explicit, and the idea of the fight between the two cultures – ancient and modern – was well handled. I liked this book. I hope the author writes a sequel, or another book like this.
May 4, 2013 at 7:03 am |
I love Clive Barker’s novels and stories, especially Cabal. This book reminded me of Cabal in the pace of the story, the representation of the beast, and the way the central character fights against change – and then accepts it. It also reminded me of An American Werewolf in London, with the central character initially unable to accept his appetites. It’s all an extended metaphor and it’s brilliant. A great read.
June 20, 2013 at 12:19 pm |
Yeah, I’ve just finished reading this and it’s damned good R J Dent. A lot like a Clive Barker novel, as one reviewer says. Great story, solid characters – plot kept me guessing. Loved the ending. A sequel?
July 19, 2013 at 10:00 am |
Yeah, liked this a lot… loads of good sex and realistic violence… loved the mash-up of ancient Greek myth and modern Greek life… great monster too.
July 24, 2013 at 5:45 pm |
Read this, thought it was a great read. Liked the chimera. Liked the central character. Good plot. Any chance of a sequel?