About this episode

Liam Higginson discusses his debut novel set in Wales, exploring themes of folklore, isolation, and madness.

Finally, we dare venture to the darkest land of all. Wales! After years of avoiding the terror of the Valleys, Liam Higginson takes us to The Hill in the Dark Grove – his debut novel of isolation, folk-memory, and things unearthed from the soil of a mountain farm. We talk about the link between folklore and nationalism, about marriage and madness (not linked) and why it’s always men who go barmy in these situations. This is up there with my favourite books of the year. Enjoy!   Other books mentioned: The Shining (1977), by Stephen King Incidents Around the House (2024), by Josh Malerman The Salt King (2026), by Natasha Pulley Small Gods (1992), by Terry Pratchett Meet Me at the Surface (2024), by Jodie Matthews Boss in the Wall: A Treatise on the House Devil (1998), by Avram Davison and Grania Davis North Woods (2023), by Daniel Mason Country People (2026), by Daniel Mason   Support Talking Scared on Patreon  Check out the Talking Scared Merch line – at VoidMerch Come talk books on Threads, Bluesky, and Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Neil McRobert

Guest: Liam Higginson

Topics covered

• folklore
• nationalism
• isolation
• literature
• mental health
• marriage

Keywords

• Wales
• folklore
• isolation
• literature
• mental health
• Liam Higginson
• Neil McRobert

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Hill in the Dark Grove, The Shining, Incidents Around the House, The Salt King, Small Gods, Meet Me at the Surface, Boss in the Wall: A Treatise on the House Devil, North Woods, Country People

Places: Wales, Valleys

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