1 Answers2025-12-03 10:52:17
the psychological depth, and that unsettling ending left me craving more, so I totally get why you'd ask about sequels. From what I've dug into over the years, there isn't an official sequel to 'The Scarecrows.' Westall didn't revisit the story or characters in any of his other works, which is a bit of a shame because the original novel leaves so much room for exploration. It’s the kind of story that lingers, making you wonder about Simon’s life afterward or whether the eerie events at the mill house ever resurfaced.
That said, if you’re looking for something with a similar vibe, Westall’s other works like 'The Machine Gunners' or 'Blitzcat' might scratch that itch—they’ve got that same blend of gritty realism and subtle supernatural undertones. Or, if you’re open to branching out, John Wyndham’s 'The Chrysalids' or Susan Cooper’s 'The Dark Is Rising' series deliver that same mix of psychological tension and otherworldly unease. Sometimes, the lack of a sequel makes the original even more special, though. 'The Scarecrows' stands alone so powerfully that maybe it’s better left untouched—like a perfectly preserved ghost story.
5 Answers2025-12-08 17:00:49
'The Scarecrows' by Robert Westall came up in a forum discussion. From what I gathered after digging through multiple book sites and fan threads, it doesn't seem like there's an official PDF version floating around legally. Publishers like Faber & Faber tend to keep older titles like this in print-on-demand or physical formats rather than digital.
That said, I did stumble across some shady-looking forums claiming to have scans—definitely wouldn't trust those, both for quality and copyright reasons. If you're desperate to read it, your best bet might be hunting down a secondhand paperback or checking if your local library can source a copy through interloan. The eerie cover art alone makes tracking down the physical book worth it!
5 Answers2025-12-08 02:54:35
Man, I totally get the hunt for free reads—been there! 'The Scarecrows' is one of those cult classics that’s weirdly hard to track down digitally. I dug around a while back and found snippets on obscure literary blogs, but nothing complete. Your best bet might be checking out sites like Project Gutenberg or Open Library, which sometimes host older, lesser-known titles. Failing that, you could try reaching out to used book sellers who might know of digital copies floating around.
Honestly, though, if you’re super invested, it might be worth just grabbing a secondhand paperback. The hunt’s part of the fun, but sometimes the physical copy feels more rewarding. Plus, the cover art on older editions is chef’s kiss.
5 Answers2025-12-08 06:49:45
The Scarecrows' by Robert Westall is this haunting, slow-burn horror story that stuck with me for weeks after reading. It follows Simon, a teenager grieving his father's death, who moves to a remote farm with his mother and her new husband. The tension between Simon and his stepfather is palpable, but the real terror begins when he notices the scarecrows in the fields... they seem to be watching him. At first, it's subtle—a turned head, a shifted posture—but soon, their movements become undeniable. Westall masterfully blends psychological unease with supernatural dread, making you question whether it's all in Simon's head or something far worse. The climax is pure nightmare fuel, with the scarecrows taking on a life of their own in a way that feels both surreal and terrifyingly real. What I love is how the story ties Simon's emotional turmoil to the horror; his isolation and anger almost invite the scarecrows' malice. It's not just a ghost story—it's about how grief can distort reality.
Funny enough, I picked this up thinking it'd be a quick, spooky read, but it left me staring at my own backyard suspiciously for days. The way Westall writes the rural setting makes every rustle of wheat feel ominous. And that ending? No spoilers, but it’s the kind that lingers, making you flip back to earlier chapters to see if you missed the clues. If you’re into stories where the horror creeps up on you like a shadow at dusk, this one’s a gem.
1 Answers2025-12-03 13:05:45
The Scarecrows' by Robert Westall is one of those hauntingly atmospheric novels that sticks with you long after you've turned the last page. At its heart are two brothers, Simon and Barney, whose lives take a dark turn after their parents' divorce. Simon, the older brother, is the more introspective and sensitive of the two, struggling with anger and resentment toward his father's new family. Barney, younger and more impulsive, becomes the catalyst for much of the story's tension when he befriends a group of mysterious scarecrows that seem to have a sinister life of their own. The dynamic between the brothers is raw and painfully real, making their descent into fear and paranoia all the more gripping.
Then there's the unsettling presence of the scarecrows themselves—Watcher, Crowman, and the others—who blur the line between imagination and something far more menacing. Westall masterfully gives these figures a creeping sense of malice without ever fully explaining their nature, leaving readers to wonder if they're supernatural entities or manifestations of the boys' unraveling psyches. The supporting cast, like their weary mother and the distant father, add layers to the story, but it's really Simon and Barney's fractured bond that drives everything forward. I still get chills thinking about how Westall uses the scarecrows as a metaphor for the boys' unresolved grief and rage. It's a brilliant, unsettling read that lingers like a shadow.