The Wolfen by Whitley Strieber is a horror novel that was first published in 1978 and has been praised as one of the scariest books ever written. The story follows two New York City detectives, George Wilson and Becky Neff, who investigate a series of brutal murders that seem to be committed by a pack of intelligent and vicious creatures that resemble wolves but are not quite werewolves.
The novel is a blend of horror, thriller, and science fiction, as Strieber creates a realistic and terrifying scenario of what would happen if a hidden species of predators emerged from the shadows of the urban jungle and hunted down humans as their prey. Strieber uses his extensive research on wolf behavior, ecology, and mythology to craft a convincing and original mythology for the wolfen, who are not supernatural beings but rather a highly evolved branch of the wolf family that have adapted to the modern world and developed a secret society and culture of their own.
The Wolfen is not only a gripping and suspenseful read, but also a thought-provoking and insightful commentary on the relationship between humans and nature, and the dangers of environmental degradation and social alienation. Strieber challenges the reader to question their assumptions and prejudices about the natural world and the role of humanity in it, and to empathize with the wolfen as fellow living beings who are struggling to survive and coexist in a hostile and changing world.
The novel has received mostly positive reviews from critics and readers alike, who have praised Strieber’s writing style, characterization, and plot development. The novel has also been adapted into a film in 1981, directed by Michael Wadleigh and starring Albert Finney, Diane Venora, and Gregory Hines. The film, however, deviates significantly from the novel and has been criticized for its poor special effects and lack of fidelity to the source material.
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The Wolfen by Whitley Strieber | Goodreads
