"The Pallbearers Club" is Heartbreaking Horror

 Paul Tremblay is one of the most versatile and talented  writers currently working in the horror genre. He’s written several outstanding novels (and some chilling and original short stories) over the last decade. His fans include the Master of Horror himself, Stephen King. Tremblay’s novel A Head Full of Ghosts is a terrifying (and startling) take on demonic possession, and his dark, emotionally devastating apocalyptic thriller Cabin at the End of the World is currently being adapted for the big screen by M. Night Shamalyan. Tremblay’s latest novel, The Pallbearers Club, is a unique variation on a vampire tale. The book is presented as the memoir of Art Barbara. Art is something of a nerd/outsider at school, and also suffers from some serious health issues. He decides to start a club whose members will appear at funerals when no friends or family members are present to mourn the person who has passed away. This “Pallbearers Club” brings Art into contact with a mysterious woman named Mercy. She becomes a central figure in Art’s life, and he becomes intrigued by the tale of a historical “vampire” who shares Mercy’s name, and may be her ancestor.

From the outset, Art is an unreliable narrator. He tells us almost immediately that “Art Barbara” is not his real name, and that the events of the novel are only told from his perspective, and that his memory may be faulty. The relationship between Art and Mercy is a symphony of emotional highs and lows, fueled by dark secrets. What’s brilliant about the way Tremblay tells this story is that Mercy’s comments and observations regarding Art’s memoir, which she continually refers to as a work of fiction, are written in the margins of the text. She underlines and emphasizes her frank opinions throughout the book. Mercy’s recollection of events doesn’t always line up with Art’s, and she tells a somewhat different version of their story with her commentary.

The book will also have appeal for devotees of 1980s and 1990s alternative rock. One thing that draws Art and Mercy together is music, particularly the albums of Husker Du, and the solo work of that band’s co-founder, Bob Mould. Mercy is something of a musical muse and mentor to Art, who becomes a musician during the course of the story. Music is a defining aspect of their friendship, as is Mercy’s hobby of using an old school Polaroid camera to take pictures. Mercy’s photography is a window to the things Art thinks he sees in her photos, and what they reveal about both Mercy and himself. Art’s fascination with Mercy’s photos, and his obsession with her true nature, fractures their friendship, and leads to some startling revelations by the end of the story.

The Pallbearers Club is part coming of age story, part vampire novel, and most of all, a moving and effective story of a deep and unusual friendship. While it’s not as overtly frightening as some of Tremblay’s other books, it does feature some eerie and unsettling scenes. What works best is the story's strong emotional core, which will touch (and maybe even break) your heart, especially in its finale. If you’ve enjoyed his other work, including A Head Full of Ghosts, Survivor Song, and the outstanding short story collection Growing Things, you'll find much to enjoy in this enthralling novel. The Pallbearers Club is one of Tremblay's best, and is worth adding to your "must read" list.