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Silver John #5
The Voice of the Mountain
Silver John - so named for the lithe and powerful strings of his ever-present guitar - is back. In this fifth and most exciting novel in the series, Manly Wade Wellman's popular hero is called by the voice of Cry Mountain... into a confrontation with his most threatening adversary.
There are a wealth of cryptic stories about Cry Mountain, and as John listens to the tales of eerie, hostile animals, of brave daredevils who fared up the slopes never to return, and hears the enigmatic, unnatural keening voice emanating from the mountain, his adventuresome spirit is aroused. Too curious and intrigued - some might say foolhardy - to be dissuaded, John begins his long, perilous trek up the steep mountainside. There he finds mystery and danger enough for any man, and eventually meets the courtly, assured Ruel Harpe, descendant of the infamous Micajah Harpe. John soon discovers the darker side of Ruel Harpe's hospitality and finds honesty and courage the only weapons against powerful sorcery and temptation.
There are a wealth of cryptic stories about Cry Mountain, and as John listens to the tales of eerie, hostile animals, of brave daredevils who fared up the slopes never to return, and hears the enigmatic, unnatural keening voice emanating from the mountain, his adventuresome spirit is aroused. Too curious and intrigued - some might say foolhardy - to be dissuaded, John begins his long, perilous trek up the steep mountainside. There he finds mystery and danger enough for any man, and eventually meets the courtly, assured Ruel Harpe, descendant of the infamous Micajah Harpe. John soon discovers the darker side of Ruel Harpe's hospitality and finds honesty and courage the only weapons against powerful sorcery and temptation.
178 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1984
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 20, 2019
The last of Manly Wade Wellman's "Silver John" novels makes a strong conclusion to the series. John rambles in search of "Cry-Mountain," known for the plaintive voice that seems to issue from it. He finds the source of the "cry," but he also discovers that warlock Ruel Harpe, who is armed with considerable occult knowledge and a powerful amulet and is also accompanied by three witchy female companions, has transformed the mountain into an enchanted fortress featuring a bell-pull that can summon any food or object he desires and a window from which he can view any place on the planet. Ruel plans to use Cry-Mountain as a base from which can rule the world, and he is determined to use his magic to compel John to help him.
John is a virtual prisoner for most of the novel, which necessarily restricts the possibilities for action but the portrait of consuming egotism and pride that is Ruel Hope is absorbing, and the final battle between John and Ruel is exciting and satisfying.
January 10, 2011
I've heard others say this is the best of the Silver John novels and I can now agree. What a pure and simple story that depicts such fantastic and mysterious things! I recommend all these novels, especially to those who live in the Western NC mountains.
June 13, 2025
I've read all of the Silver John novels and short stories, and I can confidently say that I am a HUGE fan!
This last book definitely read a little bit different than the others, but that's not to say that it wasn't fabulous. It was definitely a bit darker, a little more suspenseful, but the biggest difference (for me) was
ANYWAY, the series as a whole!
It reads as/reminds me of a sort of superhero epic in the way that there are always constants. John will never accept a gun when going to battle the evil, and he is always receiving help from friendly folk that he meets along the way. I LOVE that he is not the one and only hero!
I would also consider these books comfort reads because you know John isn't invincible, but you can 100% trust that he will succeed, and that people will be there to help him when he needs it. There's definitely suspense in not knowing what will happen, but we know nothing bad will happen to John.
Sad that it's over, but so so happy I got to experience these books!
This last book definitely read a little bit different than the others, but that's not to say that it wasn't fabulous. It was definitely a bit darker, a little more suspenseful, but the biggest difference (for me) was
ANYWAY, the series as a whole!
It reads as/reminds me of a sort of superhero epic in the way that there are always constants. John will never accept a gun when going to battle the evil, and he is always receiving help from friendly folk that he meets along the way. I LOVE that he is not the one and only hero!
I would also consider these books comfort reads because you know John isn't invincible, but you can 100% trust that he will succeed, and that people will be there to help him when he needs it. There's definitely suspense in not knowing what will happen, but we know nothing bad will happen to John.
Sad that it's over, but so so happy I got to experience these books!
June 30, 2018
I'd read hardly anything by Wellman up to now, but I was re-reading a book of short stories and ran across one of his Silver John tales. Thankfully,the library had a couple volumes featuring the character, and off I went.
Silver John the Balladeer is a classic Appalachian fairy tale hero: lanky-strong, deeply versed in the magic and myth of the region, plain-spoken, honest, and courageous. He carries a bedroll, some grub, a good knife and a silver-stringed guitar as he wanders the mountains, playing music (traditional ballads Wellman includes in the stories, plus some he wrote himself) and allowing his curiosity to lead him where it will.
If you're looking for action-oriented, pulse-pounding stories of supernatural horror, you're in the wrong book. Wellman was around 80 when he wrote this book, and he's willing to take his time and surround the reader with the atmosphere of the region he loved so well. Oh, Silver John vanquishes (and often just avoids) the evil things lurking in the mountains, human and otherwise, but he's calm and self-effacing, and avoids conflict unless it's absolutely necessary. Once he's done, he's back on the trail again, an incarnation of the eternally wandering wizard, Gandalf in a pair of dungarees and roomy boots. Wellman's casual nod to the Cthulhu mythos is fun (one of the minor characters here was a former archivist at Miskatonic University).
If you're in the mood for a gentle ride through the mountains, pick up a copy. And don't let the Behinder get you.
Silver John the Balladeer is a classic Appalachian fairy tale hero: lanky-strong, deeply versed in the magic and myth of the region, plain-spoken, honest, and courageous. He carries a bedroll, some grub, a good knife and a silver-stringed guitar as he wanders the mountains, playing music (traditional ballads Wellman includes in the stories, plus some he wrote himself) and allowing his curiosity to lead him where it will.
If you're looking for action-oriented, pulse-pounding stories of supernatural horror, you're in the wrong book. Wellman was around 80 when he wrote this book, and he's willing to take his time and surround the reader with the atmosphere of the region he loved so well. Oh, Silver John vanquishes (and often just avoids) the evil things lurking in the mountains, human and otherwise, but he's calm and self-effacing, and avoids conflict unless it's absolutely necessary. Once he's done, he's back on the trail again, an incarnation of the eternally wandering wizard, Gandalf in a pair of dungarees and roomy boots. Wellman's casual nod to the Cthulhu mythos is fun (one of the minor characters here was a former archivist at Miskatonic University).
If you're in the mood for a gentle ride through the mountains, pick up a copy. And don't let the Behinder get you.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews