This is one of those old-fashioned doorstoppers of a horror novel, a real blockbuster in the vein of 80s King or Straub. It4 stars--I really liked it.
This is one of those old-fashioned doorstoppers of a horror novel, a real blockbuster in the vein of 80s King or Straub. It's slow and ponderous (not necessarily bad), and is an early example of folk and cosmic horror.
Some warnings: there's gruesome animal violence, gross rapey stuff, and a few blatantly racist moments (disturbing that Klein left them in when he edited this book for its reprint...).
The good stuff: I loved the rural setting and the folklore elements (the ceremonies, dances, and tarot) that the book uses. I also enjoyed the allusions to other literary works (especiallly Machen's The White People). The religious villagers were fun, and so was Rosie....more
I adore the title, and the book starts off strong. But the unrelenting racism, sexism, flat characters, and jarring plot mad1 star--I didn't like it.
I adore the title, and the book starts off strong. But the unrelenting racism, sexism, flat characters, and jarring plot made this a chore to read. Yes, I understand the book is set in the 40s in the south, but I got tired of reading the n-word over and over. Not for me....more
4 stars--I'm not recommending this book to anyone, but I enjoyed it!
This is one of those old nasty pulp novels, with shocking events and some outdated4 stars--I'm not recommending this book to anyone, but I enjoyed it!
This is one of those old nasty pulp novels, with shocking events and some outdated psychology. It's super dark but well written. The book winks at us, the reader enjoys being shocked, and everyone has a good time....more
4 stars--I really liked it. I wish I'd found Lisa Tuttle earlier. This collection of horror stories--almost all featuring women, and mostly set in the4 stars--I really liked it. I wish I'd found Lisa Tuttle earlier. This collection of horror stories--almost all featuring women, and mostly set in the 70s/80s (pre-cell phone!)--was chilling. They range from truly nasty horror to dark fantasy, and there wasn't one I disliked. Very brief story ratings below.
Bug House: 4 stars. Really dark body horror. Dollburger: 3 stars. Yeah, dolls are scary. Community Property: 3 stars. Dark. Flying to Byzantium: 4 stars. A woman falls (is dragged?) back into her past and can't escape. Treading the Maze: 5 stars. This kind of British folklore is right up my alley. The Horse Lord: 5 stars. As is this piece of Americana folklore! The Other Mother: 3 stars. Worries about the constrictions of motherhood. Need: 3 stars. About loneliness. The Memory of Wood: 4 stars. Super dark, yikes. A Friend in Need: 3 stars. Somber and dark fantasy. Stranger in the House: 3 stars. Another story of being trapped in your past. Sun City: 3 stars. The past catches up. The Nest: 3 stars. Another trapped woman. (A strong theme!)...more
4 stars--I really liked it. This book contains a selection of classic horror stories, including quite a few by women writers and some that were new to4 stars--I really liked it. This book contains a selection of classic horror stories, including quite a few by women writers and some that were new to me. Each story is introduced by a current author, explaining their affection for the story and/or its place in history. The book also contains some all-time favorites:
Squire Toby's Will: Sheridan Le Fanu The Yellow Wallpaper: Charlotte Perkins Gilman On Ghosts: Mary Shelley Par Avion: Marlene Dotard The Monkey's Paw: W.W. Jacobs A Haunted House: Virginia Woolf Green Tea: Sheridan Le Fanu Punch, Brothers, Punch: Mark Twain Unseen--Unfeared: Francis Stevens The Black Cat: Edgar Allan Poe The Willows: Algernon Blackwood
I was especially glad to read "The Willows," a story I've heard a lot about but never got around to reading. (It was, indeed, quite spooky--a classic for a reason.) If you're interested in classic horror, or would like an introduction to the genre, this is a great place to start.
I received this review copy from the publisher on NetGalley. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review; I appreciate it!...more
3 stars--I liked the book. Though I feel like I should give it a fourth star for one of the craziest, over-the-top deaths that I've ever read! (The po3 stars--I liked the book. Though I feel like I should give it a fourth star for one of the craziest, over-the-top deaths that I've ever read! (The police officer.) Trigger warnings for child sexual assault, general demon evilness, and a smidge of racism.
Man. This is a demon possession novel, one of so many written after The Exorcist, but this one isn't afraid to go all the way into crazytown. The book is divided into three parts--the story of Rich, who becomes possessed, the story of his brother trying to help him, and then a court trial. It's an unusual formula for a horror novel, and it made the book feel more blockbuster-y rather than true horror.
I'm not sure the book worked entirely for me--I would prefer less of a popcorn feel--but I admire that Farris was committed to his plot and was not afraid to go BIG with it. Plagues of locusts, demonic backflips, backwoods pastors blasting demons with hymns--Farris really went all the way....more
3 stars--I liked the book. (+1 star for the awesome ending, -1 star for the icky romance, and we're back down to 3!)
A couple reviewers called this a g3 stars--I liked the book. (+1 star for the awesome ending, -1 star for the icky romance, and we're back down to 3!)
A couple reviewers called this a gothic, but I don't think that's quite right--it seems more like weird fiction to me. (That ending!) I liked Raucher's writing, especially the way ideas or phrases would subtly reappear in the narrative. And his characterization is stellar. I'm being vague to avoid spoilers, but the neat twist at the ending really elevated this....more
4.5 stars. This is a fabulous ghost story! (Warnings for two violent animal deaths.)
This book is about a picture-perfect English cottage--crumbling st4.5 stars. This is a fabulous ghost story! (Warnings for two violent animal deaths.)
This book is about a picture-perfect English cottage--crumbling stone walls, a flourishing rose garden, a cozy, antique-filled interior--that happens to be a place where terrifying things keep happening. What I love about this book is how the story keeps twisting. I was pretty sure I knew what was going on at the 50% mark--but then the story changed, and then changed AGAIN after I thought I had my bearings. I read a lot of thrillers/ghost stories, so it's not often a book can surprise me like that.
I'm so glad Valancourt is bringing back some of these vintage horror novels. Highly recommended for horror lovers--or anyone that wants a spooky read.
3 stars--I liked the book. All the 70s staples are here: casual racism! Casual sexism! Earnest and unintentionally hilarious science! And the out-of-d3 stars--I liked the book. All the 70s staples are here: casual racism! Casual sexism! Earnest and unintentionally hilarious science! And the out-of-date psychology, oh my goodness. Freud! Hysteria! And let's not forget the good ol' Oedipus complex!
OK, I've been making fun of this book (which it deserves as the product of its era), but I did like it. It's a fun read, with an unusual plot and a crazy (then untimately sad) ending....more
3 stars--I liked the book. A really solid 80s horror novel--quick to read, solidly written, and unique. The house is wonderful (larger inside than out3 stars--I liked the book. A really solid 80s horror novel--quick to read, solidly written, and unique. The house is wonderful (larger inside than out, containing holy/weird architecture) and the characters realistic. I enjoyed the supernatural elements (angels, demons, interdimensional portals) and man, just look at that 80s epic cover art!...more
4 stars--I really liked it. Trigger warnings for both sexual and animal violence (though not graphic).
This is a collection of 7 short stories, loosely4 stars--I really liked it. Trigger warnings for both sexual and animal violence (though not graphic).
This is a collection of 7 short stories, loosely tied together by the narrator, an antiques dealer. Though the narrator isn't really likable (he's a cheat both in his marriage and in his business), he has a lot of interesting stories to tell (mostly ghost stories), and this reads like an intimate conversation, perhaps telling stories in a pub or near a roaring fire.
"The Devil and Clocky Watson" was perhaps my favorite story, about an obscene clock and the ghost haunting it. "The Doll" spooked me a little, with its animated dolls. "The Dumbledore" was probably my least favorite of the stories, since it lacked anything supernatural. And "Portland Bill" is a classic English ghost story.
Recommended for horror readers--especially those who enjoy classic stories. ...more
Bernard Taylor is an excellent horror writer--he really makes you really care about his characters before he ruins their li4 stars--I really liked it.
Bernard Taylor is an excellent horror writer--he really makes you really care about his characters before he ruins their lives! This book has some particularly distressing things happen. I'm glad Valancourt has brought some of his titles back into print. Recommended for horror readers....more
5 stars. I really like Taylor's horror novels, and this one, with creepy English villagers, a standing stone, and an unexpected ending, is probably my5 stars. I really like Taylor's horror novels, and this one, with creepy English villagers, a standing stone, and an unexpected ending, is probably my favorite. It's a quick read that I highly recommend to horror fans....more
5 stars--I thoroughly loved both of these horror novellas, and I'm grateful as ever to Valancourt for bringing these horror classics back into print. 5 stars--I thoroughly loved both of these horror novellas, and I'm grateful as ever to Valancourt for bringing these horror classics back into print. (Seriously, I haven't been disappointed once by their selections.)
The Stones of Muncaster Cathedral: This is a classic "unholy ground" story, where a steeplejack squares off against the evil that dwells in a cathedral. The narrator's voice is crisp and vivid, and I cared deeply about his welfare.
Brangwyn Gardens: This story's twist blew me away. A college student comes to live in a crumbling English manor house, and suspects it's haunted by a ghost from WWII.
I'll be looking up more of Westall's ghost stories. ...more
4 stars--I really liked it. Warnings for... well, everything.
This is 70s gothic/horror at its "finest" (if that's the word). It's lurid and purposeful4 stars--I really liked it. Warnings for... well, everything.
This is 70s gothic/horror at its "finest" (if that's the word). It's lurid and purposefully shocking, but I'm a sucker for the tropes of the genre (the manor, the family secrets, the hints of the supernatural). The main character, Elizabeth, is only 14, but instead of going to school, she's seducing adults and plotting with her long-dead witch ancestor. I loved it!
What sets this book above most others in this genre is the writing. Greenhall can really turn a phrase; I was absolutely enthralled by Elizabeth's first-person voice, and would have happily read a series or much longer book....more
3 stars--I liked the book. Trigger warnings for everything.
Even though I had fun reading this little horror gothic, I don't recommend it to anyone. It3 stars--I liked the book. Trigger warnings for everything.
Even though I had fun reading this little horror gothic, I don't recommend it to anyone. It's really dated and just generally in bad taste.
This book tries hard to be shocking and offensive, and the subject matter is, indeed, pretty dark: incest, murder, rape, evil nuns, teenage orgy clubs, etc. However, it's so dated that I found myself amused rather than horrified--especially the parts about psychology. For example, a woman commits mass murder because... she's on her period! A teenage son and daughter act out sexually because of their (practically literal) Electra and Oedipal issues! (That's as diagnosed by two psychiatrists.)
The author seems almost gleeful as she describes the degradations of her characters; the authorial tone is positively giddy with the shock and horror she's trying to create. I found it amusing rather than frightening.
I think this is the adult version of Flowers in the Attic--passed around and discussed in whispers because of its forbidden content. Neither book, however, has aged very well....more
4 stars--I really liked it. Very chilling but understated folk horror. The horror here is societal change--or rather, the manipulation of those fears,4 stars--I really liked it. Very chilling but understated folk horror. The horror here is societal change--or rather, the manipulation of those fears, likely not realistic, by a master conman. And in the end, isn't everyone a monster? It's a pity Samson died before writing more--this is so good....more
4 stars--I really liked it, but this isn't quality literature.
This is another 70s gothic (I'm addicted), and if you can ignore some of the more dated/4 stars--I really liked it, but this isn't quality literature.
This is another 70s gothic (I'm addicted), and if you can ignore some of the more dated/offensive elements (super rational men slapping hysterical women and such) and some of the more lurid details (par for the course with the genre), it's an interesting English cult story with some good twists....more
3 stars: I liked the book and had a fun time reading it!
It's so wonderful that e-rights have brought back so many books that might otherwise slip into3 stars: I liked the book and had a fun time reading it!
It's so wonderful that e-rights have brought back so many books that might otherwise slip into obscurity. This is a classic 70s horror novel, with all that implies: yes, there are 70s attitudes towards women and minorities here. It's also cheesy, campy, bloody, enthusiastic, and a lot of fun. I don't want to say a lot about the plot, but this story holds together well and provides plenty of chills. (And gore!)
And though "red Indian" (the book's words, not mine!) stereotypes abound here, I thought overall the native mythology was treated with respect, and the native characters were as layered as the white characters.
I received this review copy from the publisher on NetGalley. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review; I appreciate it!...more
3 stars--I liked the book. Ah, the good old days, when an unemployed sister and her semi-employed writer brother could pay 1000 pounds for a country h3 stars--I liked the book. Ah, the good old days, when an unemployed sister and her semi-employed writer brother could pay 1000 pounds for a country house with a private beach, and still afford a full-time cook and part-time handyman...
A solid classic ghost story, good characters, good writing. I love these glimpses into the past, and if you can ignore a slightly icky romance by today's standards, this has a happy ending. Overall very cozy--and occasionally spooky....more
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