Lee Allen's Blog - Posts Tagged "gothic"

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A classic haunted house tale of gothic suspense by Shirley Jackson.

Hill House has stood empty for decades; any attempted occupant having departed swiftly within a few days of coming to stay there. Dr John Montague, a philosopher and researcher of the paranormal, strives to gather a small group together to stay in the house in an attempt to unravel the mysteries which surround it.

One member of this party is Eleanor. Having been caring for her ailing mother for many years up until her death, Eleanor is in search of her very identity and to find her own place in the world. She hopes she may find herself, as one of the explorers of Hill House. But her dream-like journey is soon to descend into a nightmare as she reaches her destination.

Brooding and forbidding, Hill House is an anomalous spectre, with its bizarre construction and indistinct aura. Along with Dr Montague and their fellow explorers, Theodora and Luke, Eleanor begins to experience the phenomena that may have chased so many away in the past. But it appears the house is paying a particular interest in Eleanor; its motives surely malign.

A short novel that immediately provokes a haunting atmosphere, ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ takes you on a slow descent into hysteria as the characters settle uncomfortably, never quite seeing the influences at work, never quite understanding what is happening around them. The house is almost a character in itself, a dominant presence that overpowers all the characters that live and breathe within. Comparatively, the characters are almost like empty shells, the house exploring and exploiting their psyches, seeking a place in which to breed its madness.

Brimming with atmosphere and burgeoning tension, the story builds deftly to its climax, an escalation into terror from which there may be no escape.

The novel has been thrice adapted for the screen – first in 1963 as the theatrical film ‘The Haunting’, which received mixed reviews at the time, but has since grown a cult following. Its second adaptation came in 1999, another theatrical film also entitled ‘The Haunting’, this version receiving negative reviews. In 2018, Netflix adapted the novel under its full name as a ten-episode series. Well-received and popular amongst viewers, it received a follow-up; retroactively becoming the first in anthology series ‘The Haunting’. Despite the dominating presence of the house in the novel, it appears destined to forever find its name left unspoken.

‘The Haunting of Hill House’ is a gothic horror classic and a fine example of the genre, a short sharp shiver to be enjoyed in the darkened months as the nights draw in.


View all my reviews
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram

A Pale Shade of Winter by L.B. Stimson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The beginning of a gothic saga as sins of the past encircle a family and horror lurks in the shadows that linger beneath the surface.

Lenore Kensington is pregnant, the father of her child lost to the Spanish-American War, unsure how to deal with her predicament. In her desperation, she turns to her father, who refuses to face the shame and dishonour that Lenore being with child will bring upon the family name. Sent away to a convent to give birth in secrecy, Lenore’s life is destined to be marred with grief and heartache.

Albert and Castine experience little love in their childhood home, forbidden to call the woman who raises them Mother, schooled away from other children. When a devastating fire claims their home, brother and sister escape. Presumed dead, they are unpursued, free to fend for themselves in a world they do not know. Albert vows to protect Castine from the brutality of the outside world, but his sacrifices for their survival may prove to be their undoing.

The powers of darkness circling, Albert is determined to solve the mysteries of their past, a quest that will lead to revelations none are prepared for and devastation that cannot be undone.

Brimming with gothic tension and imagery, L.B. Stimson’s first entry in ‘The Pale Shade of Winter Saga’ is a sweeping tale set between 1898 and 1915, the intertwined lives of a family torn apart buckling with guilt and shame and tragedy. In their loneliness and segregation from the world, Albert and Castine’s relationship is the centre of their existence, bordering on obsessive and unhealthy. Trickling throughout the novel is the influence of the supernatural, with many mysteries waiting to be explored in future novels in the series. A thoroughly enjoyable and engrossing gothic drama, evoking recollections of Mary Shelley and Daphne du Maurier for its atmosphere and themes.

‘A Pale Shade of Winter’ is a vivid depiction of the hardships experienced in lives void of love and nurturing, and the dangers to cross the path of the human soul. I eagerly await book two for the next chapter in this family’s legacy.



View all my reviews
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram

Gaston Hall by L.B. Stimson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A haunting gothic tale of penance and retribution.

Fleeing from the horrors of war and the suffering of horrific assault, Elsie finds herself at Gaston Hall, a home for orphaned and abandoned children, dying in the basement despite the attempts of her rescuer to save her.

As the years go by, Elsie watches over the children of Gaston Hall, helping to sooth their woes and dry their tears where she can. Presided over by the formidable Della Rayburn, Gaston Hall is a harsh home in even harsher times.

But even from beyond the grave, justice is always calling. When even the dead won’t remain silent, there is only so far you can run from your sins. Once this particular song has ended, these may very well be the final days of Gaston Hall.

This novella is a delight for fans of gothic ghost stories. A sweeping tale set across several years, it builds a sense of creeping unease throughout. At its centre is its setting – the vast, haunting edifice of Gaston Hall itself; home to many abandoned and bereaved children, both living and dead; along with a host of other character archetypes that abound in gothic fiction, while each being their own developed characters. Reminiscent of films like ‘The Others’ and gothic novels like ‘Rebecca’, this is an enjoyable first entry in L.B. Stimson’s standalone anthology series ‘Tales from the Parlor Room’.

The ghostly group of children were a particular highlight for me, as solving the mystery of their deaths becomes an obsession for Elsie, building to a tragic, heart-wrenching revelation. I also very much liked the character of Della, who, despite her brittle hard exterior and shades of darkness, nevertheless remains a sympathetic character.

Atmospheric and ghostly, ‘Gaston Hall’ is a short and fast-paced read, perfect for dark nights at the fireside or around the campfire.

N.B.: L.B. Stimson’s second book in this anthology series, ‘The Farmhouse (at Peace and Plenty)’ is out now.



View all my reviews
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram

Fortitude by Carrie Dalby

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A Southern Gothic coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of the Spanish-American War.

Claire O’Farrell craves a life beyond her hometown, one that will allow her to serve and help others. Her best friend, Loretta, urges her to volunteer with her as a nurse caring for sick soldiers, wounded, in recovery, or otherwise unable to fight.

Claire, white, has never been one to observe the laws of racial segregation, and insists she remain with Loretta when they arrive, assigned to the camp for the Buffalo Soldiers. The work is tough, but fulfilling, and Claire finds herself building a camaraderie will the soldiers.

But when she finds her head turned by a black soldier, who may claim her young heart, Claire may be putting herself and all around her in grave peril. For what is coming, she must summon all the fortitude she can muster if she is to survive.

‘Fortitude’ is told from the perspective of the novel’s protagonist Claire – a headstrong, yet somewhat naïve young white woman, at times impulsive, a kind-hearted and caring soul who feels things deeply. Throughout her story, we witness her naivety chipped away, as the injustice and the impact of prejudice and violence horrify her, while tragedy threatens to break or harden her heart.

This story also has links to Dalby’s ongoing saga ‘The Possession Chronicles’, making this novel a prologue to sorts to the series, but maintains its own identity as a standalone novel.

Rarely have I read Young Adult fiction, so I will not venture to consider the novel from that perspective, though I was impressed with the way the novel does not shy away from conveying pain and suffering, albeit told from the sidelines of battle, thus handling it in a way that is appropriate for younger readers. This is well-researched historical fiction, building a true sense of time and place. Dalby skillfully weaves Claire’s story with that of several secondary characters, creating a sense of living at the time from multiple perspectives, building a picture of the harsh reality they suffer, while never losing hope.

Racial prejudice is one of the core themes of the novel, dealt with both delicately and in stark detail. It is difficult and emotive subject matter with a dual perspective – in one sense we can witness how much has changed, in another how little has changed. But, despite being difficult, it is vitally important that such themes are dealt with both truthfully and realistically and that we continue to do so. We cannot change history, but we continue to have the opportunity to learn from it, and stories remain one of the most powerful tools in our arsenal. This novel is a great example of such fiction.

‘Fortitude’ is a moving tale of courage, bravery, young love and the horrors that humanity inflicts upon itself, be that through the carnage of warfare or the social discrimination that bleeds into hearts and minds.



View all my reviews
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram

The Italian by Ann Radcliffe

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


In the ruins of an abandoned convent, an assassin is said to still reside, having sought sanctuary within its walls. This is the story that precedes the urban legend.

When Vincentio di Vivaldi first lays eyes upon Ellena Rosalba, he knows she is everything he has ever wanted and desired, and vows to make her his bride. Yet his parents are opposed to such a marriage, as their son’s selection possesses no social standing.

Father Schedoni, confessor to Vivaldi’s mother, appears to have his own motivations for preventing such a union. He sets in motion a malign plot to ensure their love cannot blossom.

But even the most carefully orchestrated plots can unravel and, once set in motion, the consequences prove catastrophic. In the wake of the damage, can the passion of true love and the might of moral justice hold true, or must everything inevitably descend into ruin?

Published in 1796, Ann Radcliffe’s ‘The Italian’ is a gothic tale of passion and love, penance and retribution, with hints of a supernatural influence and mystery woven beneath every chapter. Blending elements of romance, horror and suspense to build its intensely gothic atmosphere, it oozes its themes of morality and religion, specifically that of Roman Catholicism and the Holy Inquisition, while exploring the thoughts, emotions and motivations of each character in depth and building a vivid sense of place and setting.

Evocative of Shakespearean drama, alluding to and doubtless deeply influenced by many of his plays, the story is told in three volumes (perhaps mirroring the traditional three acts of a play). Often rich in dense description, this is a novel to be savoured and allowed time to develop as you read. It also provides a detailed insight into some of the views held at the time, such as those of the class system, the role and dependence of women, and the might and corruption of large (in this case, religious) institutions. It should perhaps be remarkable that we are still talking about the same views and issues, all across the world, over two hundred years later.

The characters are heavily developed, particularly the central three – we learn of their family circumstances, their histories, and their innermost turmoil. The relationship between Vivaldi and Ellena begins with Vivaldi’s obsessive passion and desire to win Ellena’s hand. For many reasons, she is resistant, but Vivalidi’s persistence holds strong. Throughout the novel, we witness the development of genuine affection between them, made bittersweet by the pain of separation and fear of loss.

Schedoni, the mysterious monk and eponymous figure, is the hand that pulls the strings of the narrative. An incredibly well-developed antagonist, his characterisation is perhaps the greatest strength of Radcliffe’s novel. From the shadows, he manipulates and orchestrates much of the unfolding tragedy, before it escalates out of his control; his motivations and personal desires ultimately may be his undoing, as his dark past begins to come to light.

As alliances break, and tension and dread build, through murder plots, kidnappings, escape plans, and a fight for justice, we arrive at the revelations of the final chapters deep in the dungeons of the Inquisition, where mysteries are solved and questions finally answered. This may not be a novel for casual reading, but if you are interested in early gothic literature or religious and social history, then I would recommend delving in and committing to it. Faced with the sometimes overwhelming emotions of the characters cannot help but encourage empathy – the universal experiences of love and loss and fear keeping you travelling with these characters through to the conclusion of their journeys.

Gothic and tragic, Ann Radcliffe’s ‘The Italian’ is both mystery and social commentary, told through confessions of deep emotion that will haunt even the coldest of hearts.



View all my reviews
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram

The Farmhouse at Peace and Plenty by L.B. Stimson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A chilling gothic ghost story in the tradition of classic tales of hauntings.

In need of a new start, Jenny and Kyle take a summer lease on a secluded farmhouse in the countryside. Jenny wishes to write her new book, while her husband has committed to renovating the property ready for sale.

Jenny becomes fascinated with the history of the farmhouse, following several unsettling encounters with people in the nearby village. Still troubled by the problems they've fled, the couple decide to go against all advice and stay into the autumn and winter.

But Jenny is far from safe, finding herself succumbing to the grip of the Farmhouse. As fact and fiction become entwined and past and present blur, what haunts the Farmhouse now haunts her mind, threatening her grip on her very soul.

'The Farmhouse (at Peace and Plenty)' is the third of L.B. Stimson's books I've read and it just might be the best so far, this being my favourite type of ghost story - full of gothic atmosphere, characters isolated from the outside world, a mystery from the past which refuses to stay buried; all playing on the fears and anxieties of troubled characters, threatening their sanity as the horror builds, while maintaining the chill of restrained realism.

At the story's heart is a couple trying desperately to repair their marriage, one almost shattered by betrayal and mistrust. The writing so brilliantly evokes both a disquieting atmosphere and the emotional pain of the characters, blending seamlessly to create a haunting story.

The abandoned farmhouse stands unaffected by all the pain within. The locals fear it, issuing cryptic warnings. Whatever resides in the Farmhouse will feed on such pain - the loneliness, the heartbreak, the isolation, the conflict - manipulating it and pulling you to the brink of despair. Jenny's vulnerability is so well-developed throughout the story that you can feel yourself breaking with her as she clings desperately to her relationship and the connection she feels at the Farmhouse.

A fantastic second standalone entry in the 'Tales from the Parlour Room' anthology series. I cannot wait to read what comes next.



View all my reviews
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram

"My hand reaches to touch her face, but she is gone, disintegrating into mist..."

Next in the spotlight is my paranormal short story "A Deathly Shade of Pale", from the original short story collection, a haunting, gothic tale of mystery and introspection which opens the omnibus.

Behind the Story

'A Deathly Shade of Pale' was the first short story I plotted as part of the original conception of 'Whispers from the Dead of Night' as an omnibus of novellas featuring three bonus short stories, under the working title 'A Deathly Pale Glow'. When I turned to writing a full short story collection, 'A Deathly Shade of Pale', having gained its new title, was the third story I wrote.

I was halfway through writing when my grandfather was unexpectedly taken ill and within three weeks he was gone. Though the story was plotted and already in progress, it took on the mantle of a story of grief - with its gothic and emotional themes - and will always hold a special place in my heart. This is also the first of two stories which explore mental health issues, bookending the original collection.

I released 'A Deathly Shade of Pale' on Hallowe'en, when the veil is at its thinnest and we can almost reach out and connect with those who have departed. At times a dramatic and fantastical tale, featuring elements of adventure entwined with its core of gothic horror and paranormal mystery, some inspiration taken from classical mythology, we fight for survival and search for answers with a lost and lonely man.

So snuggle up with a warm drink and prepare to embark on a journey through fog and darkness, destination unknown...
___

Waking on a boat in a sea of mist and water, with no memory of how I got here, I find myself pursued by fragments of dreams and memories.

A beautiful woman haunts me, while whomever ferries the boat remains silent.

As I find my way to land, the mystery threatens to unravel in a devastating revelation.

"Fog has filled my head, obscuring the last shards of my splintered mind."

Preview the opening scene.

Available free to download in ebook, or as part of the original "Whispers from the Dead of Night" short story collection in ebook and paperback and the deluxe collection in ebook, paperback and hardcover.

Order "A Deathly Shade of Pale"
Order "Whispers from the Dead of Night"
Order "Whispers from the Dead of Night - The Deluxe Collection"

Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram

The Haunting of Noyo Bay by L.B. Stimson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A gothic ghost story layered with romance and suspense.

An unknown little boy plays in the cemetery in the seaside village of Keesbury. Yet no one appears to have ever seen him.

Charlotte Goolsby finds herself avoiding the cemetery and the presence of the little boy, unable to fully explain how unsettling she finds his presence. She confides her fears in Rees Pendleton, with whom an attraction is blooming.

As their bond deepens, Charlotte and Rees strive to solve the mystery of the little boy, uncovering the tragedy that hides beneath the town's surface.

'The Haunting of Noyo Bay' is the fourth of L.B. Stimson's books I've read and once again she delivers a tale packed with gothic imagery, suspense and buried secrets. In a story driven by the romance of two sweethearts on the cusp of adulthood, the ghostly, haunting scenes are juxtaposed with the sweet innocence of youth and first love.

Also blending elements of historical fiction and young adult fiction throughout, Stimson develops an authentic and character-driven drama that ensures the supernatural horror elements remain chillingly realistic, wrapped in the fraught emotion of several characters.

Well-plotted and fast-paced, the multiple plot threads are neatly resolved, ultimately culminating in a fantastically creepy final chapter. As always, I finished this book in eager anticipation of the next tale that L.B. delivers.

Both haunting and romantic, 'The Haunting of Noyo Bay' will have you questioning if the dead ever truly rest.



View all my reviews
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram

The Lady Of The Shroud by Bram Stoker

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


A gothic tale of mystery and adventure, horror and romance, sci-fi and politics.

Unexpectedly coming into a huge inheritance, Rupert Sent Leger finally decides to settle from his life of adventure, moving to an expansive property nestled in the Land of the Blue Mountains, an independent country in the heart of the Balkans.

During the night, Rupert is visited by a mysterious and beautiful lady, one whom he comes to believe is undead. As these nighttime encounters continue, Rupert finds himself enamoured with her, and can think of little else.

As tensions escalate throughout the land and Rupert comes closer to solving the mystery that entrances his heart, we witness the birth of a new power in the political landscape of Europe.

'The Lady of the Shroud' is a gothic novel by Bram Stoker, who returns somewhat to the theme of vampirism following his masterpiece, 'Dracula'. Written in the style of journals, letters, articles and legal documents, we follow the fate and fortunes of central character Rupert. The opening chapter concerns a last will and testament and the expectations of inheritance and attitudes within a British upper class family, forming what is truly an extensive prologue to the main events.

The core narrative kicks in with Rupert's emigration to the Land of the Blue Mountains. Stoker captures the beauty of this fictional land, a civilisation hidden within a wilderness, the isolation of its natives, and the architecture of Rupert's new home. The novel's strengths are undoubtedly the scenes of supernatural suspense and the blossoming romance between Rupert and the mysterious lady who visits his bedroom in the depths of the night, dressed in only her shroud, a beauty who appears to have risen from the dead. The gothic imagery of these scenes is sublime, Rupert becoming enraptured by this strange and almost ethereal woman, the connotations of unease and seduction bubbling beneath the surface.

The novel was written against the backdrop of European Imperialism, when the great powers of Europe sought territories and colonies in the expansion of their empires. The fictional Land of the Blue Mountains is independent and a much sought after region. We witness them defend against the prelude to an invasion by Turkey, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire. Whether Stoker's portrayal of the invaders as the villains was a criticism of imperialism in general is open to interpretation. While, at the time, people held much pride in their empires, over a century later and following two world wars, our modern perspective differs; we can empathise all too well with the perils faced by this small and independent nation having to defend itself against those in pursuit of power.

It is worth noting that the novel was written and published several years before the Balkan Wars and subsequently the First World War took place. What is perhaps less apparent on reading during the 21st century is that the novel also includes elements that may have been deemed science-fiction on its publication in 1909. At this time, there were no air forces, though several countries were on the cusp of recognising the potential of military aircraft. Rupert's foresight to build a 'navy of the air' may have appeared fantastical to many readers. The First World War (1914-18) saw the first uses of such aircraft in warfare. In Great Britain, there were air arms to both the Army and Navy during this period, with the separate Air Force formed towards the end of the war - the first independent air force on the planet.

Despite its place in history and being ahead of its time with certain concepts, the latter half of the novel is pretty dry and loses its gothic atmosphere. With the mystery, adventure and suspense resolved, it reads more like an extended epilogue. Perhaps Stoker was interpreting tensions across Europe while writing this novel and, thus, it became a different story. Much of this was excised from many subsequent publications of the novel, perhaps in an effort to retain its promise as a story of gothic horror and romance.

It is unfortunate too, and perhaps somewhat unfair, that we struggle to judge 'The Lady of the Shroud' solely on its own merits, as it will forever be compared to Stoker's masterpiece, perhaps more so than any of this other work due to its re-visitation to the vampire theme. It isn't in the same league as the gothic beauty of 'Dracula' (yet no doubt Stoker had no intentions of this being another 'Dracula', instead with a female villain). With the horror and romance becoming somewhat overshadowed by the politics, there are moments when its feels as if you have been reading two different books. Had the novel consisted of chapters two through to five, it would have instead been a vastly superior novella of gothic horror and romance, all the more enjoyable for that alone.



View all my reviews
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram

"I veered between a desperate longing to taste every inch of you and a creeping, cold fear as I saw your eyes glow out of the darkness."

This month's spotlight is on short story "Prisoner", an erotic occult prison thriller.

Behind the Story

Under the working title 'Ménage à Trois', 'Prisoner' was the second of three short stories I originally planned for 'Whispers from the Dead of Night' and the fourth of the seven that I wrote.

Exploring psychological elements alongside supernatural themes, it follows a prison officer who performs a ritual to summon a succubus, subsequently developing an obsessive desire for the new prison governor.

Much like when writing 'Bitten', I was inspired by erotic thrillers while working on this story. It was also important to include a strong female character in a position of power. Despite her being the 'object' of desire, her position served the dual purpose of, firstly, not following cliches of how victims may be portrayed, and, secondly, not demonstrating the manipulators and aggressors as always being powerful men.
With demonic influence lurking in the background, throughout remains the constant question as to which of them is truly the victim in this game of power and seduction.
Including scenes of stalking and explicit sex and violence, this is one of the most graphic stories in the collection. Beneath the surface bubbles the mystery at its heart, culminating in a brutal burst of violence at the point of revelation.

As I often try to do with my stories, there are elements of danger presented by both human and otherworldly agents, with psychological undercurrents that leave you to question what is real and what may be imagined, and what may truly be lurking out there in the dark.

Ensure all your windows and doors are locked, shut out the darkness of the night, and dive into this tale of a sexual obsession, spiralling out of control...
___

A mysterious book holds the key to a world of unexplored pleasure at the hands of a goddess of the night.

From the moment I saw you, I could not get you out of my head. I must experience you, all of you. Yet you terrify me.

I know you will pursue me until the end. Unless I am able to destroy you first.

"There were no questions in your deep blue eyes, in the shadows that played over your face. You knew why I had come."

*Note to Readers: Includes descriptions of an explicit and potentially triggering nature*

Opening Scene

Monday

The book quivered in my hands, light glistening off the snake-skin cover. I stroked the lining, down the spine and around the tight binding. The black page edges were smooth as silk. I splayed my fingers over the skin, pulling open the hardcover, parting the delicate pages, which came apart with a gentle elastic pop where adhesive held them together. I pulled back the first page. There she was, nude, kneeling, legs parted, black pubic hair glistening, alluring. Hands rested on muscular thighs, shoulders back, the curve of her back meeting the bulge of her buttocks. Her breasts were heavy between her upper arms, dark nipples erect. Dark hair flowed down her back, two horns protruding from the top of her head and curling around her skull. Her eyes glowed as red as her mouth; lips parted in knowing seduction. She looked at me, captivating me with that look, with her body.

My fingers traced her face, her breasts, her thighs. I was tense, my breathing shallow. She could hurt me, damage me, but I didn’t care. I lifted the book to my face and breathed in the scent. The adhesive was intoxicating. There was another scent beneath it. Carnal. Woman.

Eagerly, I flicked through the pages, my tired eyes battling with this hunger. The small, neat print floated across my vision, my fingers caressing the hardcover edges, enjoying the friction. I could fight desire no longer, knowing the wait was almost over. I turned back to the front page, tracing the edges and curves of her body with my forefinger.

I tucked the book away in the bottom drawer of the cabinet, turning the key and then pocketing it. I crept into the bedroom, undressing and preparing for bed in the en-suite. Kayleigh was still sleeping when I crawled into bed. She woke when I entered her, letting the tension of the day flow from me.

I dreamt of her that night, a bounty of flesh, dark hair, gleaming eyes. I was the serpent and I fed on her, sweet as fruit.
___

Available as part of the original "Whispers from the Dead of Night" short story collection in ebook and paperback and the deluxe collection in ebook, paperback and hardcover.

Order "Whispers from the Dead of Night"
Order "Whispers from the Dead of Night - The Deluxe Collection"

Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram