In the universe of literary horror, the possessions of demons and ghosts have served as a resource to fuel an innumerable number of stories. But beyond the exorcism formula known to everyone, are there still ways to innovate on this topic? After the success of his novel HEX, translated into more than 15 languages, the Dutch writer Thomas Olde Heuvelt presents in Spain Eco (Nocturna), a “homage to classic Gothic novels” in which he addresses possession in a form little previously explored in Fiction. “I use classic stereotypes but give them an unexpected twist, thus creating a completely unique story,” the writer explains to La Vanguardia. The result, in the words of Stephen King, is “splendidly original.”
Mountaineer Nick Grevers emerges from a coma after suffering an accident that left him paralyzed and cost the life of his climbing partner Augustin. His face is covered in bandages and he says he doesn't remember anything. But he actually remembers everything. On that remote peak in the Swiss Alps, he and his partner were not alone. Strange things begin to happen around Nick, and his partner Sam will try to find out if what happened on that mountain really was an accident.
The story is based on the author's personal experience as a climber. “Every time I am in the mountains I feel that they have a specific character, some are very welcoming and others not so much.” The descriptions he makes of the imposing snowy landscapes that appear in the novel accompany the chills generated by the sinister episodes that occur there.
Each chapter begins with quotes from prominent authors of the genre, such as Bram Stoker, H. P. Lovecraft, Edgard Allan Poe and Franz Kafka. Just as Stoker introduces Dracula through Jonathan Harker's diary, Olde Heuvelt gives voice to his characters through emails, WhatsApp messages and digital notes. “Gothic novels are usually structured in the form of diaries or letters. “It's a very personal form of storytelling, so I thought it would be fun to do it too, but in a more modern way.” A good translation is crucial to effectively reflect the voices of each character and Ana Isabel Sánchez achieves this in the Spanish version of Eco.
After the success of HEX, the author reveals that he felt great pressure to write his next novel. “I write pretty fast, HEX took me six months, but with Eco it took three and a half years.” The only thing he could think about was how he could reinvent and surpass himself. “I am from a small country, there no one prepares you for such success.” The author traveled around the world and presented his book in countries such as Brazil, China, Taiwan and the United States. “It was interesting to talk to readers and learn about the different interpretations they made of my novel in such different places.” Warner Bros has already bought the rights from the author to make HEX a television series. The script is by Gary Dauberman and James Wong, who worked on the latest adaptation of Stephen King's It and the Conjuring saga.
The next story Thomas Olde Heuvelt works on is based on another personal experience. It will be about a stalker, “Misery style,” the author anticipates. Meanwhile, the translation of Oracle, his latest novel, is expected, which will arrive in Spain in 2025 again from Nocturna Ediciones.
