Wither (Passarella novel)

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Wither is a 1999 supernatural novel by John Passarella and Joseph Gangemi, written under the name J.G. Passerella. It was published in hardcover by Atria on February 1, 1999, and runs 320 pages. The book won the Bram Stoker Award for First Novel in 1999 and was nominated for an International Horror Guild Award. It was followed by the sequels Wither’s Rain, Wither’s Curse, and Wither’s Legacy.

Plot
The story takes place in the fictional town of Windale, Massachusetts, where Wendy, a young college student and daughter of the college president at Danfield College, explores magic and the New Age. The town seems peaceful, but evil grows as the ghost of Elizabeth Wither returns. Eight-year-old Abby MacNeil has terrifying nightmares that lead her to the burial site of three 17th-century women who were executed by the townspeople. Karen Glazer, a local professor, has vivid visions of danger to her unborn child. Wendy, Abby, and Karen later learn that Wither and other witches intend to possess their bodies.

Reception
Critics gave mixed reviews. The Cedar Rapids Gazette praised the novel, while Publishers Weekly highlighted its strong setting but felt the plot was derivative. Kirkus Reviews found the book entertaining and well-paced but not very original.

Film option
In 1997 the authors shopped the manuscript on the spec market, and Columbia Pictures offered about $500,000 for the option, with plans to film it through Manifest Films, led by Lisa Henson and Janet Yang.