What if the monster had won? It’s the forbidden question behind so much of Gothic literature. We tidy our novels with the crucifix triumphant and the stake neatly driven home, as if evil may always be dispatched with a mallet and a bit of ash. Yet Kim Newman, that merry necromancer of the imagination, dared … Continue reading Anno Dracula: Empire of the Undead
Tag: fantasy
Whistles, Rhymes, and Ghosts – Oh My! M. R. James’ Guide to Summoning Ancient Horrors with Nursery Tunes
When I think of M. R. James, it’s like I’ve accidentally stumbled into a foggy, overgrown cemetery on Halloween night, while wearing the world’s most embarrassing costume and holding a mysterious old book I definitely shouldn’t be holding. His stories - oh, the stories! - are like that one weird uncle who insists on showing … Continue reading Whistles, Rhymes, and Ghosts – Oh My! M. R. James’ Guide to Summoning Ancient Horrors with Nursery Tunes
Through Hell and High Water: A Wanderer’s Musings on Dante’s Inferno
I have long been of the opinion that if one is to take a trip, one ought to choose the destination with care. A sojourn in Tuscany, perhaps; a jaunt through the Alps; or, at the very least, an unhurried ramble through the English countryside, where the only fiery pits one encounters are the embers … Continue reading Through Hell and High Water: A Wanderer’s Musings on Dante’s Inferno
The Mouse and the Mousetrap: Rodent Rationality and Barnyard Bystanders
What's this? Another fable? Yes. Well, I'm working my way through them. Some time ago, I found myself in the unenviable position of evicting an unwelcome tenant - or perhaps tenants - from our garage. A mouse, or maybe several, had taken up residence among the clutter. Rather than resorting to the traditional, lethal mousetraps, … Continue reading The Mouse and the Mousetrap: Rodent Rationality and Barnyard Bystanders
James’ Bark & Bite: The Ash Tree
I have an enduring love for the countryside, especially those areas filled with ancient, brooding trees that seem to harbour their own secrets. One such tree caught my eye in the charming town of Cockermouth, Cumbria (UK). Its gnarled bark and twisted branches bore an uncanny resemblance to the features of an old witch, a … Continue reading James’ Bark & Bite: The Ash Tree
Wording 