Chaos Reading discussion

This topic is about
The King In Yellow
Chaos Reading Bookclub
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DISCUSSION OPEN! - EMERGENCY GROUP READ - True Detective + The Yellow King
Whitney wrote: "Ruby wrote: "Whitney wrote: "Ruby wrote: "BWAHAHAHA! If you can come up with something scarier than the shit I have to put up with daily, feel free!..."
I only just saw this. Koalas won't kill yo..."
That one looks like it might actually be a drop-bear: http://www.australiangeographic.com.a...
I only just saw this. Koalas won't kill yo..."
That one looks like it might actually be a drop-bear: http://www.australiangeographic.com.a...
Ruby wrote: "That one looks like it might actually be a drop-bear: http://www.australiangeographic.com.a...."
That is awesome. I will remember to put some Vegemite behind my ears if I'm ever in drop-bear territory. And also to speak low so they don't hear my accent.
That is awesome. I will remember to put some Vegemite behind my ears if I'm ever in drop-bear territory. And also to speak low so they don't hear my accent.
Whitney wrote: "Ruby wrote: "That one looks like it might actually be a drop-bear: http://www.australiangeographic.com.a...."
That is awesome. I will remember to put some Vegemite behind my ears if I'm ever in d..."
I've heard that forks in the hair are quite effective too.
That is awesome. I will remember to put some Vegemite behind my ears if I'm ever in d..."
I've heard that forks in the hair are quite effective too.
So, back to the topic… I just reread The Yellow Sign. I read it out of order before, and hadn't noticed the reference to what had happened to "young Castaigne", a former friend of the narrator. Assuming this is the same Castaigne as in "The Repairer of Reputations", this pretty strongly implies that everything about the world Castaigne described was pure invention, including the whole thing taking place in the supposed future 1920's.
I loved the caretaker in this story, with his (presumed) decaying, mushy head and finger.
I loved the caretaker in this story, with his (presumed) decaying, mushy head and finger.
Whitney wrote: "I loved the caretaker in this story, with his (presumed) decaying, mushy head and finger. ..."
Yeah. He's a cutie. :)
I did notice the reference, but (because I was reading late at night) kinda forgot they were meant to be separate stories.
And, because the internet exists: True Detective (with cats)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yszT...
Yeah. He's a cutie. :)
I did notice the reference, but (because I was reading late at night) kinda forgot they were meant to be separate stories.
And, because the internet exists: True Detective (with cats)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yszT...

I caught the reference, but does that really preclude the "The Repairer of Reputations" taking place in the '20s? Still, I am convinced the whole of "The Repairer of Reputations" is Castaigne's fantasy.
The narrator of "The Yellow Sign" ("Mr. Scott" is all we hear, I think), is also the minor character, Jack Scott, from "The Mask".

I don't much trust blurbs, but I was prepared to believe that that part of the first tale was the only thing that was actually true.
The cockney comic-relief bellman fought with the British in Egypt in 1882, and the narrator refers to him as a 'young man'.


Todd wrote: "A bit of a spoiler..."
THAT's what I was thinking too. I think there are some Yellow King references in the final ep worth drawing out, but I need to watch again without holding my breath!
Can you please spoiler tag your comment though for the people who haven't seen yet? ta.
THAT's what I was thinking too. I think there are some Yellow King references in the final ep worth drawing out, but I need to watch again without holding my breath!
Can you please spoiler tag your comment though for the people who haven't seen yet? ta.
Derek (Guilty of thoughtcrime) wrote: "Oh, btw, the cover blurb on mine says "The stories within this collection, published in 1895, are set in a fictional militaristic 1920s in both the USA and Europe."
I don't much trust blurbs, but ..."
This is definitely the down side to reading these on a Kindle. I missed these bits, and I don't really have a good sense of delineation between the stories either. All the stories kind of blurred together for me. It's just one of those things that I find easier with a paper book.
I don't much trust blurbs, but ..."
This is definitely the down side to reading these on a Kindle. I missed these bits, and I don't really have a good sense of delineation between the stories either. All the stories kind of blurred together for me. It's just one of those things that I find easier with a paper book.
Derek (Guilty of thoughtcrime) wrote: "Ah. Right. I missed that date. I despised that character, having been cockney comic-relief for much of my life..."
Better than being the guy who dies to prove how serious the situation is. And at least you're plucky.
Better than being the guy who dies to prove how serious the situation is. And at least you're plucky.
For anyone wondering what source True Detective ripped off payed homage to for its final lines (and, yes, it's a spoiler):
http://www.vulture.com/2014/03/true-d...
http://www.vulture.com/2014/03/true-d...
Whitney wrote: "For anyone wondering what source True Detective ripped off payed homage to for its final lines (and, yes, it's a spoiler):
http://www.vulture.com/2014/03/true-d......"
Nice! At least, not knowing the comic, I don't mind the "homage". I wonder what people familiar with the comic feel about it though. It is maybe a little too close, isn't it?
http://www.vulture.com/2014/03/true-d......"
Nice! At least, not knowing the comic, I don't mind the "homage". I wonder what people familiar with the comic feel about it though. It is maybe a little too close, isn't it?
Looking through Etsy last night to see what items people have tagged as "True Detective", I found a lot of vintage true crime mags in there. It got me thinking that this is what TD as a series is trying to do - pay homage to all that early pulp crime fiction. In that respect, I think it's totally appropriate to pack in the references to other things. Then again, they're not my favourite things being alluded to..
Ruby wrote: "Looking through Etsy last night to see what items people have tagged as "True Detective", I found a lot of vintage true crime mags in there. It got me thinking that this is what TD as a series is t..."
Oh absolutely, the original "True Detective" magazine was generally very pulpy and sensationalistic. This is why I tend to role my eyes at the criticisms that TD has such 'tough guy' lead characters - it's telegraphing that fact in the title fer Chrisakes.
And I did think the reference was a little too exact to be considered just a reference. Which is too bad, it was done really well in the show, and I thought it was the perfect ending.
Oh absolutely, the original "True Detective" magazine was generally very pulpy and sensationalistic. This is why I tend to role my eyes at the criticisms that TD has such 'tough guy' lead characters - it's telegraphing that fact in the title fer Chrisakes.
And I did think the reference was a little too exact to be considered just a reference. Which is too bad, it was done really well in the show, and I thought it was the perfect ending.


You know, I'd look at that from the reverse. If it had been word-for-word, it would have been a tribute (and maybe plagiarism, if not properly credited). This was just inexact enough to be a reference without any need to credit the original author.
Ruby wrote: "Todd wrote: "A bit of a spoiler..."
THAT's what I was thinking too. I think there are some Yellow King references in the final ep worth drawing out, but I need to watch again without holding my br..."
I think along similar lines, but more broad. (view spoiler)
THAT's what I was thinking too. I think there are some Yellow King references in the final ep worth drawing out, but I need to watch again without holding my br..."
I think along similar lines, but more broad. (view spoiler)
Well said, Whitney. I couldn't disagree with any of that.
A great interview with Pizzolatto on the end of True Detective s1. http://popwatch.ew.com/2014/03/10/tru...
Also a really nice segue into the start of our next group read (War & War): (view spoiler)
Looks like there may be some True detective novels one day too. I'm not usually into that, but I'm prepared to make an exception!
A great interview with Pizzolatto on the end of True Detective s1. http://popwatch.ew.com/2014/03/10/tru...
Also a really nice segue into the start of our next group read (War & War): (view spoiler)
Looks like there may be some True detective novels one day too. I'm not usually into that, but I'm prepared to make an exception!
..and probably my favourite wrap up of True Detective, and "what it's all about", by Film Crit Hulk: http://badassdigest.com/2014/03/10/th...
Ruby wrote: "A great interview with Pizzolatto on the end of True Detective s1. http://popwatch.ew.com/2014/03/10/tru...
Also a really nice segue into the start of our next group read (War & War):.."
Excellent interview, and yes to the War & War segue: (view spoiler)
Also a really nice segue into the start of our next group read (War & War):.."
Excellent interview, and yes to the War & War segue: (view spoiler)
So, I'm at a community garage sale yesterday, and what should I find, but Teatro Grottesco. Could not believe it.
Kismet!
It's on my tbr, maybe we could do a few stories here when people are more caught up on other things. I loved The Nightmare Factory, but it's the only thing of his I've read. I did get a copy of The Conspiracy Against the Human Race after finding out about through this read. Not sure even I'm that totally pessimistic.
It's on my tbr, maybe we could do a few stories here when people are more caught up on other things. I loved The Nightmare Factory, but it's the only thing of his I've read. I did get a copy of The Conspiracy Against the Human Race after finding out about through this read. Not sure even I'm that totally pessimistic.
Whitney wrote: "Kismet!
It's on my tbr, maybe we could do a few stories here when people are more caught up on other things. I loved The Nightmare Factory, but it's the only thing of his I've read...."
Oddly, my partner has just discovered that perhaps he IS that pessimistic. He's been watching the show and now fears he's a nihilist, since he hasn't been able to disagree with anything Cohle said!
It's on my tbr, maybe we could do a few stories here when people are more caught up on other things. I loved The Nightmare Factory, but it's the only thing of his I've read...."
Oddly, my partner has just discovered that perhaps he IS that pessimistic. He's been watching the show and now fears he's a nihilist, since he hasn't been able to disagree with anything Cohle said!
Ruby wrote: "Oddly, my partner has just discovered that perhaps he IS that pessimistic. He's been watching the show and now fears he's a nihilist, since he hasn't been able to disagree with anything Cohle said! .."
Give us an update after he's seen the final episode...
Give us an update after he's seen the final episode...
I don't know why I didn't immediately think of this one, but Ruby, you must read "The Cats of Ulthar".
http://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/t...
If you don't like this one, you will probably never like Lovecraft.
Also, continuing with extended read, "Fungi From Yuggoth" is pretty cool. It's basically a series of very short stories, in rhyme.
http://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/t...
If you don't like this one, you will probably never like Lovecraft.
Also, continuing with extended read, "Fungi From Yuggoth" is pretty cool. It's basically a series of very short stories, in rhyme.
Whitney wrote: "If you don't like this one, you will probably never like Lovecraft.
Also, continuing with extended read, "Fungi From Yuggoth" is pretty cool. It's basically a series of very short stories, in rhyme. .."
Yeah, I've been wanting to read both of those for ages based on the titles alone!
Also, continuing with extended read, "Fungi From Yuggoth" is pretty cool. It's basically a series of very short stories, in rhyme. .."
Yeah, I've been wanting to read both of those for ages based on the titles alone!
I couldn't stop myself from getting a copy of A Season in Carcosa. And since it gave prominant mention to Karl Edward Wagner's story "The River of Night's Dreaming" (also part of the extended reading list here) I found that online. It is fantastic! Other people, please read and discuss. It is in a few collections, including "The Hastur Cycle", which I also ordered (sigh).
There is an online version here: http://www.mbreader.me/where-summer-e...
but it's a rather clunky text, with stories starting right after other stories and HTML codes linked to advertisements imbedded throughout the text. The River of Night's Dreaming starts about 2/3 down the page.
There is an online version here: http://www.mbreader.me/where-summer-e...
but it's a rather clunky text, with stories starting right after other stories and HTML codes linked to advertisements imbedded throughout the text. The River of Night's Dreaming starts about 2/3 down the page.
One of my coworkers will be living in Queensland for a few months, so I made sure she was aware of the Drop Bear threat. I think this picture really helped bring home the danger:

Whitney wrote: "One of my coworkers will be living in Queensland for a few months, so I made sure she was aware of the Drop Bear threat. I think this picture really helped bring home the danger:
"
Good on you. Vigilance is very important.
Where in Qld is she staying?
"
Good on you. Vigilance is very important.
Where in Qld is she staying?
Not sure. It's for some BS 'biology studies' type deal which sounds like an excuse to go scuba diving at the GBR for a couple months.
P.S. my tone is completely unrelated to any feelings of jealousy. That is just your imagination.
P.S. my tone is completely unrelated to any feelings of jealousy. That is just your imagination.
Bahaha! She could well be staying near me then. Townsville's on the GBR. It's probably Cairns though - that's far nicer.
Thought I'd check in a decade later and see if enough of the old Chaos Reading crew was around to scare up a discussion of the new season of True Detective. Because the first episode was a fuckin' banger.

Derek wrote: "I've been hearing really good things about it, but haven't started it yet. I'm in for anything Jodie Foster"
The entire cast is pretty great. If you haven't seen "Tigers are Not Afraid" from the director, I definitely recommend it.
The entire cast is pretty great. If you haven't seen "Tigers are Not Afraid" from the director, I definitely recommend it.
Excellent! Discussion now open for anything having to do with the first episode.
So question to get things going. WTF? (That's it, that's the question.)
Where the first season flirted with the supernatural but ultimately shied away, this one seems to be jumping in head first.
Do people have theories? Who is the "she" that's awake? What freaked out the caribou at the beginning? Is Ferris Bueller behind the whole thing?
Are you the type who tries to figure things out ahead of time, or are you a "go with flow and let the story take me where it will" type?
So question to get things going. WTF? (That's it, that's the question.)
Where the first season flirted with the supernatural but ultimately shied away, this one seems to be jumping in head first.
Do people have theories? Who is the "she" that's awake? What freaked out the caribou at the beginning? Is Ferris Bueller behind the whole thing?
Are you the type who tries to figure things out ahead of time, or are you a "go with flow and let the story take me where it will" type?

So question to get things going. WTF? (That's it, that's the question.)
Where the first season flirted with the s..."
i have a feeling that the "she" might be from that urban legend the mom was mentioning when she was explaining her son's drawing.

Always, but I'm still rebuilding my dead media server so I haven't seen it and have no theories about THIS program.
Who is the "she" that's awake?
Xen's answer certainly makes sense.
What freaked out the caribou at the beginning?
That's easy. It's the freaky reindeer with the glowing red nose.
Is Ferris Bueller behind the whole thing?
Probably not.
I should manage to get hold of it by Friday
I feel like one of us should participate in this entire conversation with having never watched the show the whole current season. It just feels right. :D
Marc wrote: "I feel like one of us should participate in this entire conversation with having never watched the show the whole current season. It just feels right. :D"
I think Derek's perfect for this role, he's already doing an excellent job! Although there's going to be a lot of egg on his face when it turns out to be Ferris Bueller.
Xen wrote: "i have a feeling that the "she" might be from that urban legend the mom was mentioning when she was explaining her son's drawing.."
Also agree this sounds right. I think we (and Jodie Foster) are going to get some serious schooling in inuit cosmology.
I think Derek's perfect for this role, he's already doing an excellent job! Although there's going to be a lot of egg on his face when it turns out to be Ferris Bueller.
Xen wrote: "i have a feeling that the "she" might be from that urban legend the mom was mentioning when she was explaining her son's drawing.."
Also agree this sounds right. I think we (and Jodie Foster) are going to get some serious schooling in inuit cosmology.
I looked up who Darwin's drawing was of. I feel stupid for missing it, as she was a big part of Dan Simmon's The Terror, which I read not too long ago.
Sedna is an Inuit sea goddess who controls all the sea mammals. Her father chopped off her fingers, hence the bloody dripping hands. Here's the Wikipedia entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedna_(...
Sedna is an Inuit sea goddess who controls all the sea mammals. Her father chopped off her fingers, hence the bloody dripping hands. Here's the Wikipedia entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedna_(...

I see the showrunner let the Sedna cat (seal?) out of the bag. Doesn't anybody believe in letting the viewers solve the puzzles themselves? So, I can't see "she's awake" meaning anybody else.
I'm guessing we're going to find the caribou hunter later, who is either going to give his explanation … or he's also going to be dead! They ran precisely as the sun went down but that can hardly be the reason for spooking.
I guess I was wrong about that one—I didn't see any glowing red noses—but it's not going to be Ferris Bueller!
Interestingly, it was shot in Iceland: no doubt easier to find accomodations for cast and crew somewhere hospitable, and still be able to shoot in North-of-Alaska winter conditions. I wondered if Iceland actually had reindeer, and they do—but one website says 6000-7000 and another says 3000. They must have shot that first scene a few times.
Derek wrote: "They must have shot that first scene a few times."
Sacrifices must be made for quality TV.
I was also surprised that López confirmed Sedna. But, with the missing fingers it's hard to have a different interpretation.
Sacrifices must be made for quality TV.
I was also surprised that López confirmed Sedna. But, with the missing fingers it's hard to have a different interpretation.
I’m mostly a go-with-the-flow type of watcher because… well, I rarely figure stuff out (would have missed the Sedna thing if not for you all simply because I was talking over the part where López confirms it).
Did you all put any stock in the looping Beatles song (“Twist & Shout”), the copy of Blood Meridian, and the dead girl’s nickname (Annie K, which immediately made me think of Tolstoy but I haven’t read it so I don’t know if that’s significant)?
I also read somewhere else that the whiteboard writing (“We are all dead”) might be a lyric from another Beatles song.
The setting is creepy AF and I love it.
Presumably, the research station and mining operation were working at cross purposes, so to speak…
Did you all put any stock in the looping Beatles song (“Twist & Shout”), the copy of Blood Meridian, and the dead girl’s nickname (Annie K, which immediately made me think of Tolstoy but I haven’t read it so I don’t know if that’s significant)?
I also read somewhere else that the whiteboard writing (“We are all dead”) might be a lyric from another Beatles song.
The setting is creepy AF and I love it.
Presumably, the research station and mining operation were working at cross purposes, so to speak…

I've just retired from a research facility that looks to be about the same size, physically, and we had about 20 research scientists and a total staff around 150 (including students).
I went back and watched the opening sequence and there's no hint I can see of what spooked the caribou.
Books mentioned in this topic
The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket and Related Tales (other topics)Pym (other topics)
The Tsalal (other topics)
Noctuary (other topics)
The Conspiracy Against the Human Race (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Ernest Hemingway (other topics)Marion Zimmer Bradley (other topics)
I liked the firs two Chambers stories quite a bit, but the last two felt more like w..."
I did feel like the Chambers stories became a bit repetitive. I liked the Lovecraft story, but I agree that it went on too long. All the goosebumps were in the first half of the story. By the time he got to the house himself, we already kind of knew most of what was going to happen. That's what happens when you layer on the foreshadowing so thickly..
I've also just finished The Case of Charles Dexter Ward. Likewise, we knew what was going on quite early on in the story, and I think Lovecraft kind of laboured the point.