The Hollowing

A scientist's teenage son vanishes into the mysterious Ryhope Wood, an ancient forest in rural England where time flows differently and mythological beings manifest from human imagination. Richard Bradley, struggling to cope with his son's disappearance, discovers that the forest has trapped Alex in a state of perpetual adolescence. His search leads him into Ryhope Wood, where he must navigate through dangerous mythological landscapes shaped by his son's vivid imagination. The story connects to earlier events in the Mythago Wood series, particularly the disappearance of Tallis Keeton, while introducing new characters and expanding the mythology of the forest. The narrative alternates between events in the 1950s and 1960s, exploring how time operates differently within the ancient woodland. The novel examines themes of father-son relationships, the power of imagination to shape reality, and humanity's deep connection to primordial myths. It continues the series' exploration of how ancient stories and archetypes remain alive in the modern world.

Readers describe The Hollowing as a complex, dreamlike continuation of the Mythago Wood series, though many note it can be read as a standalone novel. Readers appreciate: - The deep exploration of folklore and psychology - Atmospheric descriptions of the mythical forest - The father-son relationship dynamics - Creative blending of myth and reality Common criticisms: - More confusing narrative structure than previous books - Takes longer to engage with the story - Less accessible to new readers - Some find the ending unsatisfying Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (695 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (31 ratings) One reader noted: "The boundaries between reality, memory and myth blur until you're not sure what's real." Another commented: "Beautiful prose but the plot meanders too much." Several reviews mention the book requires more concentration than typical fantasy novels, with one reader stating: "You can't skim this one - every detail matters."

Little, Big by John Crowley The saga of multiple generations interacting with fairies in rural New York state creates the same sense of mythological reality bleeding into the modern world through a mysterious location.

The Hounds of the Morrigan by Pat O'Shea Two children enter a realm where Irish mythology comes alive, featuring similar themes of young people navigating a dangerous landscape shaped by ancient legends.

Lavondyss by Robert Holdstock The companion novel to Mythago Wood follows a young girl's journey into Ryhope Wood in search of her brother, creating parallel themes of family bonds and mythological landscapes.

The Wild Wood by Charles de Lint A painter discovers a forest where Celtic myths manifest through her artwork, mirroring the way human imagination shapes supernatural reality in Ryhope Wood.

The Fetch by Chris Adrian A time-bending narrative about a boy's death and his brother's journey through supernatural realms connects to themes of family loss and mythological transformation.

🌳 The ancient Ryhope Wood featured in the series was inspired by a real woodland in Hertfordshire, England, which Holdstock visited frequently during his youth. 🗡️ Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a significant influence on the novel, is one of the best-preserved examples of Middle English literature, dating back to around 1400 CE. ⏳ Robert Holdstock spent over seven years developing the complex mythological framework for the Mythago Wood series before publishing the first book. 🏆 The first book in the series, "Mythago Wood," won the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel in 1985, establishing Holdstock as a major voice in mythological fantasy. 🎭 The concept of "mythagos" - beings created by human consciousness - was partly influenced by Carl Jung's theory of the collective unconscious and archetypal figures.