I get to spring Ligotti on my Advanced Comp class...

[lustmord]

...but the question, I pose to you, my fellow cultists, WHICH story? I've narrowed it down to two:

"Teatro Grottesco"
"Gas Station Carnivals"

I'm writing a literary analysis of one of these two, and am expected to present it to the class.

So, in your opinion, which should I choose? I love them both so much...

[candy]

Both are very good stories. I voted for Gas Station Carnivals because I think more of your class would get it.

[lustmord]

yeah, gsc is one of those stories that has just always stuck with me... well, a good majority of ligotti's stories kinda stick in my mind, but i guess what really sold me on gsc is that i saw tool in concert on their 'lateralus' tour, and during one of the songs (a reflection) they had a film going that had imagery directly from that story... the showman, in particular. what a creepy freaking film that was, i wish they'd release it.

[bendk]

I voted for GSC too. That story creeped me out when I first read it. If I'm not mistaken, TL dreamed the title of the story, which was nonsensical, and wrote the story around the title. (don't quote me on that, though, as I can't remember the source). Your class is in for a treat either way. I also saw Tool's Lateralus tour, and I know the film you mentioned. Tool's videos remind me a lot of Ligotti's work. I wonder if Maynard is familiar with him.

[starrysothoth]

I voted for "Gas Station Carnivals." Its eerie imagery really slaps you in the face harder than the more cerebral, existential "Teatro Grottesco." This, IMHO, makes it a more suitable story for an introduction to Ligotti. Good luck!

Ligotti in the classroom raises interesting questions. TL seems like he could easily creep into a number of academic courses if pulled off properly. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ligotti discussed by enthusiasts in literature, philosophy, and maybe even cultural anthropology classes in another decade or two.

[Kevin]

GSC! One of his meisterwerks!

[unknown]

don't listen to the masses! listen to the two voices of reason...go with Teatro Grottesco lest you find out what the little black stars look like in real life

[Gregory]

I didn't really get Teatro Grottesco. Were the people turned into little black stars? Sadly here in Britain only on of Ligotti's books is in print so have not read Gas Station Carnivals, though I like the title.

[albie]

Gas Station Carnivals.

You could dress up as the showman.

Hang about near their homes.

Freak 'em out.

(oh, why don't I get invited to family parties anymore?)

[G. S. Carnivals]

Gas Station Carnivals. You could dress up as the showman.
A wonderful suggestion, albie. Of course, lustmord would have to make his presentation with his back to the class, playing a horrible game of academic peek-a-boo. A+

[albie]

Ah, but he could come on as himself, later, and they would recognise his teacher tweed with leather patches on the elbows, that was sticking out of his showman cloak earlier.

[Mr Intolerance]

I've taught The Clown Puppet, Gas Station Carnivals, and I Have A Special Plan For This World to a number of classes over the years - they've all worked well - I must try Teatro Grottesco.