Recent Reading

The Hill of Dreams, The Secret Glory, Ornaments in Jade, Far Off Things and Hieroglyphics are further essential Machen books. The Shining Pyramid and The Great God Pan are exceptional horror stories of his not included in the Penguin book. 'N' is a classic non-horror short story.

These books changed my life. Machen wasn't as consistent a writer as Aickman or Ligotti, but he was as powerful a visionary in his strangeness.

[Patrick G.P]

Quote Originally Posted by James

The Hill of Dreams, The Secret Glory, Ornaments in Jade, Far Off Things and Hieroglyphics are further essential Machen books. The Shining Pyramid and The Great God Pan are exceptional horror stories of his not included in the Penguin book. 'N' is a classic non-horror short story. These books changed my life. Machen wasn't as consistent a writer as Aickman or Ligotti, but he was as powerful a visionary in his strangeness.

Thanks for the recommendations James, you don't happen to know of any other decent collections or editions of these books and tales that I could check out?

Tartarus have spoiled me when it comes to the presentation of Machen books. None of the rest have impressed me too much.

I am currently obsessed with Daphne du Maurier and her gothic genius.

[In A Dark Light]

I've just started reading 'Dream English - A Fantastical Romance' by Wilfred Rowland Childe, having discovered it through a recent post on Mark Valentine's excellent Wormwoodiana blog:

Wormwoodiana: Dream English by Wilfred Rowland Childe - Centenary

[Patrick G.P]

Just finished Reggie Olliver's excellent collection Masques of Satan, just outstanding ghost stories, really enjoyed it! Will have to pick up his other collections as well. Now I've started reading A Midwinter Entertainment from Egaeus Press to get into the Christmas spirit.

[Zaharoff]

Quote Originally Posted by Patrick G.P

... Now I've started reading A Midwinter Entertainment from Egaeus Press to get into the Christmas spirit.

I started that last week.
Truly enjoying it.
Now if only weather would stay seasonable.

Last Words from Montmarte by Qiu Miaojin...

Last Words From Montmartre - Qiu Miaojin GIVEAWAY/THOUGHTS/REVIEW - YouTube

Also The Tarantula's Parlor and Other Unkind Tales by Léon Bloy. The title story is my favorite thus far.

[Mr. Veech]

I revisited Frankenstein, a book I haven't read since I was very young. I genuinely don't know what to say; there's so much depth to Shelley's narrative that I just don't know where to begin. Aside from Shelley's repeated use of the word "countenance," it's pretty much a perfect novel. The fact that it was written by someone so young is just baffling. The book is a downright miracle, a literary treasure no one, especially me, deserves to read.

[Acutely decayed]

currently reading deprived but just finished “Homo Deus” -faint Shelley connection -recommended to Isis if he/they haven’t read it – but if time poor you could just read the last few chapters.

Also reading “The Brains of Rats” Wiater list - ping – its good, it’s gamy (in the food sense) - it may not be readable in a few years, post CRISPR chromosome shredders, but my edition is remarkably fine (it also strangely smells of strawberries in a clinical way ) and unexpectedly signed which may sway my opinion...

and “The Dark Reign of Gothic Rock” beautifully, passionately and poorly written and informative....also dipping in to “Great Dynasties” and “Lost Paradise – Symbolist Europe”

[New Devilry]

I must highly recommend Caitlin R. Kiernan's The Red Tree. The "Maybe Magic, Maybe Mundane" type of horror & weird fiction is possibly my favorite, and Kiernan pulls it off spectacularly in this novel.

It's up there with Dan Simmons' Song of Kali, though it is a very different sort of story.