Garth Marenghi’s TerrorTome by Garth Marenghi

(Hodder & Stoughton, 2022)

Reviewed by Kevan Manwaring

Garth Marenghi is the alter-ego of comedian and actor Matthew Holness, initially created for the titular showcase, Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace (first broadcast on Channel 4 in 2004). Holness introduced each episode in the guise of Marenghi, channelling the look (black leather jacket and mirror shades) and low voice of 80’s Horror novelists, and satirising the classic hosts of cult anthology series from Alfred Hitchcock to Rod Serling, Elvira to Doctor Terrible. Hilariously conceited and oblivious of his own lack of talent, Marenghi is now given full rein in this deliberately overblown metanarrative (‘the longest and most terrifying epic fictive of my career’), which places the author—or rather a thinly-veiled version of his comedic persona—at the centre of his own narrative: ‘Nick Steen’s the name. Perhaps you’ve heard of me? Yeah, that’s right. The horror guy. The insanely rich, multiple best-selling, dark and dangerous-to-know paperback visionary of the dark arts.’

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Review from BSFA Review 22 - Download your copy here.