NIGHT OF THE HUNTER by Davis Grubb
Details
Davis Grubb's first novel, NIGHT OF THE HUNTER, is a classic example of Southern Gothic, a literary genre which has its origins in late 18th century England, but which may have found its greatest expression in the South of the United States. Frequently, Southern Gothic overlaps with Noir, a crime fiction genre, as it does here. As Faye Snowden pointed out when Gothic and Noir overlap, the preacher is always a villain, even if he isn't the villain.
Ben Harper is executed for murder in the commission of a robbery of $10, 000. Where is the money? This question consumes his charismatic and psychopathic cellmate, Harry "Preacher" Powell. Upon release, Harry seeks and finds Ben's widow and children, believing one of them knows where the money is. John Harper, the little son of Ben, has a vey bad feeling about this preacher whose presence looms too large in his life.
For viewing, because we will also discuss the movie adaptaion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kgZd8jeVyQ