🩸 Horror Fiction

Promenade en foret: Un court roman d'horreur

✍️ Alexandre Hardoin
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$6.24
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A short French horror novel about a marriage proposal gone wrong in the woods.

Pierre travels to southwestern France to seek approval from his girlfriend's father. He expects a standard family visit but encounters something far darker. The setting near Gourdon shifts from welcoming to hostile. Hardoin uses this location to build tension rather than relying on elaborate lore. The plot moves quickly, focusing on immediate threats and the struggle to stay alive. This approach creates a sense of urgency that defines the reading experience. The story examines how traditional rituals can lead to unexpected dangers when placed in ominous environments.

Key Themes
survival instinct rural isolation traditional courtship
Literary Context

The book is set near Gourdon in southwestern France. It reflects European gothic traditions where forests represent danger. The narrative contrasts modern dating norms with old-fashioned customs like asking for parental blessing.

Difficulty
● Easy
Recommended For Fans Of
Daphne du Maurier · M.R. James · Shirley Jackson
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Independently Published 📅 2019 📖 94 pages 🌐 non-English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781686040467

📝 Description: Promenade en foret: Un court roman d'horreur

Alexandre Hardoin presents a compact horror narrative titled Promenade en foret. The story follows Pierre, who travels to the area near Gourdon in southwestern France. His goal is simple: to ask Christine’s father for permission to marry her. This traditional gesture feels outdated to Pierre, yet he pursues it without hesitation. He has no idea what awaits him that night. The text describes a suspenseful atmosphere where survival becomes the only priority. Hardoin structures the plot around an intense evening that disrupts the couple’s expectations. The narrative draws on gothic traditions of isolation and impending doom within rural settings. It focuses on the psychological tension of a young man entering unknown territory. The book suits readers who enjoy short, fast-paced tales of supernatural dread. It may not appeal to those seeking complex character studies or lengthy epics. Hardoin qualifies as a writer of horror fiction through this specific work. The story relies on the contrast between mundane intentions and terrifying outcomes. Pierre’s journey into the forest near Gourdon serves as the central conflict. The narrative does not offer easy answers or safe havens for its protagonist.

💎 Our verdict on Promenade en foret: Un court roman d'horreur

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Hardoin effectively utilizes the setting near Gourdon to build tension, shifting the environment from welcoming to hostile with precision. The narrative succeeds by focusing on immediate threats and the psychological struggle of a young man entering unknown territory. It avoids elaborate lore in favor of visceral suspense, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere that drives the plot forward. This approach makes the story accessible and intense, though it may not satisfy readers seeking deep character studies or extensive world-building. The book is best suited for fans of gothic isolation and fast-paced horror who prefer urgent survival scenarios over complex philosophical debates.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who favor compact, high-tension narratives will find this book compelling due to its immediate focus on survival rather than complex lore. It appeals to those who enjoy psychological horror rooted in the disruption of traditional rituals, such as marriage proposals, when placed in ominous environments. The fast-paced plot creates a sense of urgency that defines the experience, making it ideal for audiences seeking short tales of supernatural dread without lengthy epics. Those who appreciate how mundane intentions can lead to terrifying outcomes will gain satisfaction from the stark contrast between Pierre’s initial hopes and the hostile reality he faces.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Hardoin effectively utilizes the setting near Gourdon to build tension, shifting the environment from welcoming to hostile with precision. The narrative succeeds by focusing on immediate threats and the psychological struggle of a young man entering unknown territory. It avoids elaborate lore in favor of visceral suspense, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere that drives the plot forward. This approach makes the story accessible and intense, though it may not satisfy readers seeking deep character studies or extensive world-building. The book is best suited for fans of gothic isolation and fast-paced horror who prefer urgent survival scenarios over complex philosophical debates.

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