Virgin Books to Publish Paperback Edition of TEATRO GROTTESCO

[Dr. Bantham]

Virgin Books to Publish Paperback Edition of TEATRO GROTTESCO 

Virgin Books Ltd is scheduled to release a paperback edition of TEATRO GROTTESCO. This book is currently available for pre-order from

Amazon UK

 

Amazon UK

.

Copy from Virgin Books Ltd
Ligotti follows the literary tradition that began with Edgar Allan Poe: portraying characters that are outside of anything that might be called normal life, depicting strange locales far off the beaten track, and rendering a grim vision of human existence as a perpetual nightmare. Just by entering his unique world where odd little towns and dark sectors are peopled with clowns, manikins and hideous puppets, and where tormented individuals and blackly comical eccentrics play out their doom, is to risk your own vision of the world.

Synopsis from Amazon.com
Thomas Ligotti is often cited as the most curious and remarkable figure in horror literature since H. P. Lovecraft. His work is noted by critics for its display of an exceptionally grotesque imagination and accomplished prose style. In his stories, Ligotti has followed a literary tradition that began with Edgar Allan Poe, portraying characters that are outside of anything that might be called normal life, depicting strange locales far off the beaten track, and rendering a grim vision of human existence as a perpetual nightmare.The stories collected in "Teatro Grottesco" feature tormented individuals who play out their doom in various odd little towns for which Ligotti is noted as well as in dark sectors frequented by sinister and often blackly comical eccentrics. The cycle of narratives that includes the title work of this collection, for instance, introduces readers to a freakish community of artists who encounter demonic perils that ultimately engulf their lives. These are selected examples of the forbidding array of persons and places that compose the fiction of Thomas Ligotti.

[Karnos]

Will they eventually have a North American release?

[ghadis]

Just noticed on Amazon that Virgin Books are releasing My Work Is Not Yet Done in paperback Feb 2009.

[Gritblues]

The artwork for My Work Is Not Yet Done is up on Amazon UK:

My Work is Not Yet Done: Thomas Ligotti: Amazon.co.uk: Books

 

My Work is Not Yet Done: Thomas Ligotti: Amazon.co.uk: Books

[Jezetha]

I am glad TL's work is becoming easier available. If Virgin published his older work too, some sort of breakthrough to a much larger audience might be a possibility.

[bendk]

Quote Originally Posted by Gritblues

The artwork for My Work Is Not Yet Done is up on Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Work-Not-...7492377&sr=8-2

Not very inspired. The Mythos edition with artwork by Harry O. Morris is among my favorites in terms of book production quality.

[Gritblues]

Quote Originally Posted by bendk

Not very inspired. The Mythos edition with artwork by Harry O. Morris is among my favorites in terms of book production quality.

Agreed. Though Virgin Books artwork for Teatro Grottesco was terrific. Still, great to see Ligotti back with a mainstream publisher. I, too, have the Mythos edition (as well as the Durtro one of TG) and, yes, it's a lovely edition.

However, don't know as Virgin will release any more of Ligotti's titles: all of his major collections prior to these two have already received UK publication. I suspect that's why these two were picked. But, hey, would love for Virgin Books to prove me wrong!

[Odalisque]

I picked up my copy of the book this morning... and thus have yet actually to read it.

(I ordered it from Amazon, was out when the postman tried to deliver the package, and had to pick it up from the delivery office.)

Based on the blurb I must say that, had I been browsing in a bookshop and not known the name of Thomas Ligotti I would certainly not have bought this book. What would have convinced me not to buy is this from a quoted review:

One of the most unique voices in the field.

(A) One of the most is a phrase that is, to me, akin to finger nails scratched on a blackboard. Only one can be the most. The phrase should be one of the more.

(B) Unique is a superlative. Nothing can be more or less unique -- either someone or something is or isn't unique, there are no degrees of uniqueness.

The combination of two gross devaluations of the English language in a single short sentence is simply apalling. I realise that Mr Ligotti probably has no control over the blurb the publishers place on the back of the book -- but I hope that he can persuade them to remove it when the book is reprinted. I wonder how many sales have been lost through that sentence. As I've said, in different circumstances, it would have lost the sale to me.

[Bleak&Icy]

Quote Originally Posted by Odalisque

One of the most unique voices in the field. (A) One of the most is a phrase that is, to me, akin to finger nails scratched on a blackboard. Only one can be the most. The phrase should be one of the more. (B) Unique is a superlative. Nothing can be more or less unique -- either someone or something is or isn't unique, there are no degrees of uniqueness. The combination of two gross devaluations of the English language in a single short sentence is simply apalling. I realise that Mr Ligotti probably has no control over the blurb the publishers place on the back of the book -- but I hope that he can persuade them to remove it when the book is reprinted. I wonder how many sales have been lost through that sentence. As I've said, in different circumstances, it would have lost the sale to me.

I agree, Odalisque. Whenever I hear or read that phrase--"one of the most unique"--I am invariably reminded of the caustic examples given by William Strunk:

"It was the most unique egg beater on the market."

"Of all the spiders, the one that lives in a bubble under water is the most unique."

There can be NO DEGREES of uniqueness!

To find that bankrupt phrase on the cover of Teatro is grotesque. Ligotti is an upholder of the English language... ahh. A literate blurb may be too much to hope for in this age.

[Nemonymous]

Completely agree with Odalisque. I am aghast!

I have not see the Virgin version (I have the Durtro one).