Joan Samson’s “The Auctioneer”: An Epic Work of Quiet Horror
You can purchase a used copy of The Auctioneer here.
I love this book. As of late, I feel compelled to try to get it in front of as many eyes as possible. Despite praise from Stephen King and Robert R. McCammon, sales of over a million copies at the time of its release, a television advertisement, and efforts to turn it into a film during the years following its publication, most modern readers have never heard of The Auctioneer. This chilling tale of small-town life gone wrong was written by a young author named Joan Samson, who sadly died soon after the book’s publication. She was working on her second novel at the time of her passing, and her death was a great loss to the horror fiction community. Despite admirable sales at the time of release, most people are unaware of the book’s existence today, and despite how well-written it is, few people will never read it. If I had the necessary money I would try to purchase the rights and release an audiobook, ebook, and paperback edition to try to generate some new interest. The Auctioneer is that good, and I would love to see a famous horror writer with money to spare get behind it’s rediscovery.
If I had the necessary money I would try to purchase the rights and release an audiobook, ebook, and paperback edition to try to generate some new interest.
I discovered this forgotten gem via Will Erickson’s Too Much Horror Fiction website. Set in the fictional New England town of Harlowe, the book centers around the Moores, a hardworking family doing their best to maintain the family farm and live a modest life. The Moore family includes husband and wife Jon and Mim, their daughter Hildie, and Jon’s mother. There are some complicated family dynamics at play and Samson does an expert job exploring how they change due to external pressures throughout the book. Early in the book we learn that auctioneer Pearly Dunsmore has convinced Harlowe Sheriff Bob Gore that he needs deputies to deal with increasing crime outside of Harlowe. Families are called on to donate unwanted personal belongings for an auction to help raise money for the cause. It all seems innocent enough, but we soon find out that after the first auction Dunsmore and Gore expect families to give more than one unwanted item for additional auctions. Those who refuse to donate start having “accidents”. As the book rolls along, Dunsmore’s demands on the townspeople become more intrusive, soon reaching a sinister fever pitch.
Samson’s pacing throughout the book is outstanding. I would classify the book as slow burn horror, as she creates an unrelenting sense of dread that builds with every page. In addition to her pacing, Samson makes a strong case for the less is more approach to horror fiction. In an era where torture porn and extreme violence seem to be the norm, quiet horror is a refreshing change of pace. Many of the sinister events in The Auctioneer happen outside of the view of the central characters. We hear about the “accidents” that befall those who refuse to donate their belongings through the town’s corrupt police officers and other townspeople. Instead of lengthy descriptions of graphic violence, Samson forces the reader use their own imagination.
Instead of lengthy descriptions of graphic violence, Samson let’s the reader use their own imagination.
In addition to her deliberate pacing and understated depiction of violence, I also love Samson’s handling of the book’s central characters. She takes her time introducing us to Dunsmore, the disarming villain. Using conversations between Jon Moore and Sheriff Gore to introduce Dunsmore, the reader doesn’t meet him face to face immediately. This adds to the aura of evil that builds around Dunsmore throughout the book. I also felt a strong connection to Jon Moore and his desire to be left as his world begins to unravel. As the story develops, he is outraged by Dunsmore’s behavior, yet despite having several opportunities, he finds it difficult to stand up to the auctioneer and defend his family. The reader ends up feeling frustration towards Moore and his family for their inability to defend themselves against Dunsmore and the police department, yet we can’t help but relate to and sympathize with them. This book made me question if I would behave the same way if I were in Jon Moore’s shoes. Thinking about trading places with him terrified me.
Of the many books I’ve read of the past three years, this one remains in an elite class.
Of the many books I’ve read of the past three years, this one remains in an elite class. The Auctioneer puts small town culture and human nature under a very critical microscope. It forces the reader to ask tough questions about the abuse of power and fear of standing up to authority. It is a must read, and I cannot recommend it enough.
I am a director of academic support/special education teacher and writer. I love writing about/interviewing people about books, movies, music, records, and samplers.
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