Fear Fantastique discussion
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What are you reading, folks?
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Amy
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May 10, 2009 08:26PM
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i'm reading "st. petersburg" by andrey bieley, which is a really outstanding read. it's a fictional account of the 1905 revolution. it's presented as a kind of suspense novel. a revolutionary son must murder his famous father, who is a politician under the tzar. it has great tension, and some excellent (and pretty dark) psychological profiles. nabokov called it one of the four greatest works of 20th century prose. it was written in the 50's. i don't know the history of its publication, but i imagine it had a difficult time passing the censors.
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De Lints novel 'The Little Country' is his best out of what I've read.
For some strange, possibly retro reason, I ended up buying 'Duma Key' by S King a couple of weeks ago.
At 100 pages I was thinking, 'Hmmm, King is still a good writer, but by page 350 I was tearing my hair (ahem) out in frustration! It all came back to me then as to why I'd stopped reading his books; they're so padded and overwritten it destroys any enthusiasm you might have for the story itself.
So...I put it down, I just couldn't be bothered and if I'm not hooked at this point I don't think it's gonna' happen.
Now reading 'One' by Conrad Williams and 'The Years Best Fantasy and Horror' and a non-fiction archaeology book called 'Spirit Roads'.
At 100 pages I was thinking, 'Hmmm, King is still a good writer, but by page 350 I was tearing my hair (ahem) out in frustration! It all came back to me then as to why I'd stopped reading his books; they're so padded and overwritten it destroys any enthusiasm you might have for the story itself.
So...I put it down, I just couldn't be bothered and if I'm not hooked at this point I don't think it's gonna' happen.
Now reading 'One' by Conrad Williams and 'The Years Best Fantasy and Horror' and a non-fiction archaeology book called 'Spirit Roads'.
How is One so far Daveh? I got to read the first chapter a few months ago as a teaser from his blog. I'm drooling to get a copy of it [not state side yet:].Finishing up Teatro Grotessco and just started Feral by Brian Knight. Feral, so far, has hit the ground running and is showing signs of being another good story by Mr. Knight.
getting farther along in st petersburg. the tension is so fierce my hair is starting to curl even more...and my jaw is starting to clench by itself.
I personally am finding Ligotti's work good, but for my tastes it's very hit or miss, almost like he's trying too hard to capture what made past authors like Poe and Lovecraft great. I think his pacing could use some work too, sometimes I feel like Ben Stein is narrating parts of the story for too long.
I have not, isn't MWIND the corporate horror collection?
Jerrod,
So far 'One' is almost identical to Cormac McCarthys 'The Road' and I'm wondering now if this is why it was released without much publicity.
It's good so far but I think my expectations are very high so I'm wary of being too critical this early.
I'm about 150 pages into it now but I'll reserve judgment until I finish it.
I'm a Ligotti fan but there is definitely a time and place where he works for me and when he doesn't.
If I can sit outside at dusk, a cup of coffee on the table and no sound except the birds? Yep.
If I'm being poked in the leg with a Barney doll and being reminded about the household chores I've still to do? Nope.
So far 'One' is almost identical to Cormac McCarthys 'The Road' and I'm wondering now if this is why it was released without much publicity.
It's good so far but I think my expectations are very high so I'm wary of being too critical this early.
I'm about 150 pages into it now but I'll reserve judgment until I finish it.
I'm a Ligotti fan but there is definitely a time and place where he works for me and when he doesn't.
If I can sit outside at dusk, a cup of coffee on the table and no sound except the birds? Yep.
If I'm being poked in the leg with a Barney doll and being reminded about the household chores I've still to do? Nope.
I haven't read McCarthy's The Road, but I've become a big fanboy of Conrad Williams and I expect that I'll enjoy his new book. Let me know what you think, I myself am hoping it's good since his last few novels have been really good. If not, he's got Decay Inevitable coming out later this year too.Ligotti is a master with surreal and general weird locations and bizarre atmospheres. I suppose when it really comes down to it, the thing that irritates me the most is they way he repeats certain sentences, sayings or words. But he is a good author and I would recommend him.
I agree, he repeats himself a lot but I was wondering lately if this was deliberate, a kind of subliminal repetition in order to evoke a particular reaction, one we, as readers, have already created in our minds and might be accessed more easily with the same subversive techniques?
Hmmm, it sounds far fetched but he's that kind of writer; where magic'k', a la Crowley, might come into his work on many levels.
Hmmm, it sounds far fetched but he's that kind of writer; where magic'k', a la Crowley, might come into his work on many levels.
I didn't think of it like that, definitley could be an answer. I still plan on picking up a few more of his works. The man has got some serious talent for writing, I may not like some of the stories or pace, but his way with words is top notch and worth checking out.
He's the only Horror writer I can think of where you can imagine that he's actually seen what he's writing about...and that's some scary sheeeet!
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short stories of flannery o'connor, who fucking rules.
I've read Fangland. I thought it was great!Right now I'm reading several books, a couple of them are Hell House by Richard Matheson; The Tain by China Mieville; Everville by Clive Barker
Also just finished Last Call by Powers and it was amazing. Probably should be since it won the World Fantasy Award, although he is consistently excellent. Definitely one of my favorite authorsI've also read a bunch of de Lint when I was younger, Svaha is pretty good- I think that's how it's spelled. There's also a real good one called I'll Be Watching You -I think, it's been a long time since I've read his stuff.
All of a sudden everyone is talking about Fangland. I may have to check it out.
Vicki Jean wrote: "Brett was saying something about some works he put out under Samuel Key (?) I think thats it, anyway, He says they are to be rereleased under his true name some time soon.I'd love to be able to..."
They were put out awhile ago under his name, they are the books he wrote that he says are darker thaan his others. The one I previously mentioned-I'll Be Watching You is one of them. The other 2 are Angel of Darkness and From A Whisper to a Scream. I think these 3 books are his best their not so goody goody
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I just started "The Traveling Vampre Show". So far, it looks good.
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goes to show you, they give awards to anyone huh.
Amy, I hated the stereotypical Irish characters in 'Lost Boy, Lost Girl': Red hair and alcoholic...jesus christ!
And, the book itself was painful to get through, really much ado about nothing in the end.
The initial observations of the house were creepy but after that...boring.
I finished Patricia Cornwells first serial killer novel 'Post Mortem' recently. Again, I didn't like it at all. Not much to report; an inferior 'Silence of The Lambs' to be lazy in summing it up.
I also finished 'One' by Conrad Williams, not sure if I already mentioned that. I thought it was alright, it didn't work for me in terms of the ongoing father/son relationship. I won't say any more because I'll enter spoiler territory.
Now reading 'The Strain' by Guillmero Del Toro and Chuck Hogan. I don't want to speak too soon but so far this book is GREAT!
Just got a present of 'John Connolly's 'The Lovers' and John (Let The Right One In) Ajvide Lindqvist's new novel 'Handling The Undead'. Can't wait to start those.
And, the book itself was painful to get through, really much ado about nothing in the end.
The initial observations of the house were creepy but after that...boring.
I finished Patricia Cornwells first serial killer novel 'Post Mortem' recently. Again, I didn't like it at all. Not much to report; an inferior 'Silence of The Lambs' to be lazy in summing it up.
I also finished 'One' by Conrad Williams, not sure if I already mentioned that. I thought it was alright, it didn't work for me in terms of the ongoing father/son relationship. I won't say any more because I'll enter spoiler territory.
Now reading 'The Strain' by Guillmero Del Toro and Chuck Hogan. I don't want to speak too soon but so far this book is GREAT!
Just got a present of 'John Connolly's 'The Lovers' and John (Let The Right One In) Ajvide Lindqvist's new novel 'Handling The Undead'. Can't wait to start those.
I am currently reading Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. - So far, so good.
I want to read The Strain by del Toro. Can anyone tell me if it was good? Loved The Labyrinth movie by him and heard the book was great
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I'll be receiving The Likeness in the mail soon, so looking forward to reading that...
Amy, I'm halfway through 'The Strain' now and it's still holding up surprisingly well. I don't know WHY I'm surprised, though.
I'm unsure of Del Toro's actual contribution, whether it's the plot outline or the writing of the novel itself, but, I had initially suspected that it was no more than an idea inspired by him.
Maybe someone can clarify this?
The book itself is quite episodic, a la George Martins 'Ice and Fire' series and this format works very well in creating suspense and a deep background to the characters.
VJ, yeah, he's directing 'The Hobbit' and the last I read it was going to be broken into two movies.
I'm unsure of Del Toro's actual contribution, whether it's the plot outline or the writing of the novel itself, but, I had initially suspected that it was no more than an idea inspired by him.
Maybe someone can clarify this?
The book itself is quite episodic, a la George Martins 'Ice and Fire' series and this format works very well in creating suspense and a deep background to the characters.
VJ, yeah, he's directing 'The Hobbit' and the last I read it was going to be broken into two movies.
Just updating the Del Toro info; he's directing 'The Hobbit' but his next movie after that is...'Drood'!...I'm glad he's doing it but it's hardly the Simmons novel most worth filming.
I also notice that he's producing the adaptation of another novel I recently purchased, 'Hater' by David Moody.
Have any of you read the reviews for this book? Absolutely incredible. I'm tempted to start it straight away but Connolly is calling once I finish 'The Strain'.
I also notice that he's producing the adaptation of another novel I recently purchased, 'Hater' by David Moody.
Have any of you read the reviews for this book? Absolutely incredible. I'm tempted to start it straight away but Connolly is calling once I finish 'The Strain'.
I just finished 'The Strain'. In a lot of ways it reminded me of 'The Stand', which is a good thing, I believe, but as it's the first in a trilogy it will be interesting to see if it can keep up the pace.
That's what this book is all about; a roller-coaster vampire apocalypse that hurls you through an adventure that, while not original, is exciting and action packed.
There's no comparison to more serious genre novels like 'Let The Right One In' for example, but this book is not really about identity or innocence in that context.
I had a great time reading this and as for the inevitable question, considering Del Toro's involvement, yes, it would make a great film!
I'll be happy to go into more detail once somebody else has read it too.
That's what this book is all about; a roller-coaster vampire apocalypse that hurls you through an adventure that, while not original, is exciting and action packed.
There's no comparison to more serious genre novels like 'Let The Right One In' for example, but this book is not really about identity or innocence in that context.
I had a great time reading this and as for the inevitable question, considering Del Toro's involvement, yes, it would make a great film!
I'll be happy to go into more detail once somebody else has read it too.
Jerrod,
Did you finish 'One', what did you think?
Did you finish 'One', what did you think?
I'm still reading it, almost half way through. I think I'm entering the slow phase of the book, but I'm enjoying it thus far. What was your take on it?
Jerrod, I thought it was good but it didn't entirely work for me. I didn't like the protagonists ongoing conversations with his son, I felt it had been done many times before and it seemed less real than the rest of the novel.
Williams is a very goood writer though, I felt this novel was too like 'The Road' which took away a lot for me, but I am looking forward to his next book.
Williams is a very goood writer though, I felt this novel was too like 'The Road' which took away a lot for me, but I am looking forward to his next book.
It probably will mirror too much of The Road, McCarthy is one of his favorite authors and admittedly Williams stated this novel was facing his fear, that being separated from his family, more specifically, his children. I've not read The Road yet and I too look forward to Decay Inevitable. Glad you didn't hate it, I'm a big Williams fan and always find something in his novels that I really enjoy or have made the purchase worth it.
a couple of the books I'm reading right now are Afraid by Jack Kilborn and Ambient by Womack
The Horror Aficionado's group really has good things to say about it. The author is offering a free short story called Serial, it's pretty good for how short it it. I'll probably pick it up once the hype has calmed down a bit.
The author Jack Kilborn is actually J.A. Konrath, the crime writer. The book sounds good, although more of a military thriller with extra violence.
I just finished John Connolly's 'The Lovers' which was great and the latest in the Charlie Parker series.
Lot's of revelations and, at last, an end to the 'Unreliable Narrator' argument which some were putting forward as a possible reason for Parkers encounters with the demon's and the dead.
I'm now starting 'Handling The Undead' by John Ajvide Lindqvist.
I just finished John Connolly's 'The Lovers' which was great and the latest in the Charlie Parker series.
Lot's of revelations and, at last, an end to the 'Unreliable Narrator' argument which some were putting forward as a possible reason for Parkers encounters with the demon's and the dead.
I'm now starting 'Handling The Undead' by John Ajvide Lindqvist.
Afraid is pretty good so far, although I'm only about 50pg into it. Wicked scary
Rob, I sure will. I've a lot of DIY crap to do this weekend which means less time to read.
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I actually stayed awake for a lot longer than usual while reading last night (Lately it seems I can only manage a chapter or 2 before I'm nodding off!) and am now well into 'Handling The Undead'.
First impressions: Stylistically, it's similar to 'Let The Right One In'; stark, grim and often very poetic about the mundane things in life. That said, I was debating how much of an influence the translator actually had. It also has the same Ken Loach 'kitchen sink' type atmosphere as well as incorporating the shock and wonder of the protagonists at the events which are occuring. I actually like that juxtaposition myself, I realise (BTW, we Europeans are taking are words back from you guys so 'realise' will no longer have a 'Z' out of politeness!(And serious will always have a 'U'))...Ha ha, was watching a documentary about contemporary language and some of the Etymologists were going nuts about the desecration of 'pure' English.
Sorry about that, where was I? Oh yeah, I don't want to spoil anything so I have to be careful about what I write but I think readers will be surprised at the events in the novel, as well as the characters. I had thought of Lindqvist as a writer who might not enourage people to think of him as a 'Horror' writer but he name checks a lot of horror touchstones in this book so I'm probably wrong about that.
Anyway, 120 pages in and it's great so far.
First impressions: Stylistically, it's similar to 'Let The Right One In'; stark, grim and often very poetic about the mundane things in life. That said, I was debating how much of an influence the translator actually had. It also has the same Ken Loach 'kitchen sink' type atmosphere as well as incorporating the shock and wonder of the protagonists at the events which are occuring. I actually like that juxtaposition myself, I realise (BTW, we Europeans are taking are words back from you guys so 'realise' will no longer have a 'Z' out of politeness!(And serious will always have a 'U'))...Ha ha, was watching a documentary about contemporary language and some of the Etymologists were going nuts about the desecration of 'pure' English.
Sorry about that, where was I? Oh yeah, I don't want to spoil anything so I have to be careful about what I write but I think readers will be surprised at the events in the novel, as well as the characters. I had thought of Lindqvist as a writer who might not enourage people to think of him as a 'Horror' writer but he name checks a lot of horror touchstones in this book so I'm probably wrong about that.
Anyway, 120 pages in and it's great so far.
Exactly, Rob! Without giving too much away, let me just say that if this book isn't 'Horror' with a capital 'H' then nothing is!
I think it has more to do with the fact that some people think if a book is serious, considers what it means to be affected by horror and offers insights to how this impacts upon the human condition then it must be too good to JUST be horror.
That said, it is true that most horror writers don't strive for an awful lot, other than scares, in their novels but already (140 pages) this novel is very ambitious.
I think it has more to do with the fact that some people think if a book is serious, considers what it means to be affected by horror and offers insights to how this impacts upon the human condition then it must be too good to JUST be horror.
That said, it is true that most horror writers don't strive for an awful lot, other than scares, in their novels but already (140 pages) this novel is very ambitious.
i've been reading "The Third Policeman" (by Flann O'Brien) on this tour...i read it when i was in my 20's and it went way over my head. this time around i'm really enjoying it. has anyone read this guy? another crazy irish genius. he had quite a history as a writer...and wrote under several pseudonyns....dave h probably knows of him.
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