 | This article consists almost entirely of a plot summary. (August 2024) |
&sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:Off_Season_(novel).jpg) Cover of the first edition | |
| Author | Jack Ketchum |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Horror |
| Publisher | Ballantine Books |
Publication date | 1980 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | |
| Followed by | Offspring |
Off Season is a horror novel written by Jack Ketchum and initially published by Ballantine Books in 1980.[1] It was Ketchum's first novel[2] and was partially based upon the legend of Sawney Bean, which also inspired Wes Craven's 1977 cult classic horror film The Hills Have Eyes.[3]
The novel was released,[4] with many well-known publications attacking its depictions of extreme violence. Critical reaction to it was so strong, in fact, that Ballantine actually stepped back from supporting the novel. Despite initially strong sales, the publisher decided to withdraw it from circulation after the first printings were sold out. In 1999, the novel was picked up for re-publication by Cemetery Dance Publications and was released in an "unexpurgated edition" that featured some of the gore that Ballantine initially made Ketchum trim as well as his original, bleaker ending.
- ^ Jones, Stephen; Kim Newman; Peter Straub (2005). Horror: another 100 best books. Running Press. pp. 383–384. ISBN 978-0-7867-1577-0.
- ^ "Ketchum while you can". The Sunday Times. Malta. May 18, 2008. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
- ^ Vandermeer, Ann (2009). Weird Tales 350. Wildside Press. pp. 92–93. ISBN 978-1-4344-5031-9.
- ^ Castle, Mort (2006). On Writing Horror: A Handbook by the Horror Writers of America. Writer's Digest Books. p. 12. ISBN 978-1-58297-420-0.