October - Horror Month

[Fried Egg]

I guess it's only a novella but there's also "The Halloween Tree" which would be especially appropriate for the month of October but I would say that's also aimed at children.

[j. d. worthington]

Something Wicked This Way Comes wasn't intended for children; it is an evocation of childhood, and the terrors and challenges connected with that time, cast in the classic mode of an almost Faustian temptation (that is, a deal-with-the-devil where one gets one's fondest wish, but loses one's soul). It is classed as a horror novel, but it can also be seen as pure dark fantasy.

Conn: You might also want to try Dandelion Wine, which is fine piece of a related kind....

[thatollie]

I like this idea, I have to check my bookcases.

[j. d. worthington]

Though I mentioned Great Tales... as an example of the sort of anthology I tend to return to at such a time (and yes, Dale, there is a distinct difference when it comes to this anthology, one which the editors made full use of, bringing out fine examples of each), the one I will probably go with this time 'round will be Boris Karloff's massive And the Darkness Falls, as it is a volume I have not yet got around to reading, and holds an enormous amount of material which will be new to me.

For those interested in the table of contents:

http://www.eldritchdark.com/writings...darkness-falls

each with a brief introductory note by Karloff (who, yes, really did edit the volume -- in the sense of selecting the contents -- for those who were wondering). With acknowledgments, it is something over 630pp. of rather small print, so we're talking a lot of material here....

[dask]

I've already started my Halloween reading with an essay on witchcraft by James Russell Lowell. J.D. has informed me Lovecraft was a big fan of Lowell's. I can see why. Exceptionally good stuff so far. Lowell even mentioned the Huntsman I inquired about a few weeks ago. Didn't elaborate on him though.

[Connavar]

Originally Posted by j. d. worthington

Something Wicked This Way Comes wasn't intended for children; it is an evocation of childhood, and the terrors and challenges connected with that time, cast in the classic mode of an almost Faustian temptation (that is, a deal-with-the-devil where one gets one's fondest wish, but loses one's soul). It is classed as a horror novel, but it can also be seen as pure dark fantasy.

Conn: You might also want to try Dandelion Wine, which is fine piece of a related kind....

Dandellion Wine sounded good to me too but it seemed more like good personal story than the dark fantasy-horror book i need for horror month.

About Something Wicked This Way Comes i must say i do like the border land stories between dark fantasy-horror. I like that weird feeling and not looking only for horror that is creepy. I like the mood better than anything in the hands of quality weird writer. Thats why this books sound most interesting to me.

[j. d. worthington]

That being the case, I'm sure you'll find it fits the bill nicely....

[GOLLUM]

J.D. has already neatly precised what the novel is really all about but let me add that Something Wicked This Way Comes is for me one of my favourite Bradbury novels. I might try and read it again in October...

[thatollie]

Hmm, I'm thinking four novels and two (or three) anthologies, all them unread. Here's a tentative list.

The Ceremonies -T.E.D Klein
The Influence - Ramsey Campbell
One of Dan Simmons' horror novels
A Stephen King novel
Prime Evil - ed. Douglas E. Winter
Great Horror Stories - H. Douglas Thompson
(The above collection was previously published as The Great Book of Thrillers)

[j. d. worthington]

Originally Posted by thatollie

Hmm, I'm thinking four novels and two (or three) anthologies, all them unread. Here's a tentative list.

The Ceremonies -T.E.D Klein
The Influence - Ramsey Campbell
One of Dan Simmons' horror novels
A Stephen King novel
Prime Evil - ed. Douglas E. Winter
Great Horror Stories - H. Douglas Thompson
(The above collection was previously published as The Great Book of Thrillers)

Sounds like a rather good list, though I'm unfamiliar with the Thompson. Care to post the TOC?

Which of the Simmons and King are you planning on reading? My own suggestion for Simmons would be my perennial favorite among his horror tales, Carrion Comfort, but that is a tad long, I suppose....

[Fried Egg]

Originally Posted by j. d. worthington

Which of the Simmons and King are you planning on reading? My own suggestion for Simmons would be my perennial favorite among his horror tales, Carrion Comfort, but that is a tad long, I suppose....

Indeed, judging by the size of that volume, he won't have time to read much else if he picks that!

I would recommend "Song of Kali" if he's not read it already.

[thatollie]

I'm thinking either of those two or Drood. As for the King, I haven't decided on that either, might be It, might be Blaze, or maybe Carrie.

I have found a list of the Thompson.

[j. d. worthington]

Originally Posted by thatollie

I'm thinking either of those two or Drood. As for the King, I haven't decided on that either, might be It, might be Blaze, or maybe Carrie.

I have found a list of the Thompson.

That's quite a nice selection there. I would imagine "The Mysterious Mansion", by Balzac, is a variant title for "Le Grande Bretèche", which is certainly an unsettling story (that final moment is particularly nasty), but I have no idea what the Gautier is....

Anyway, thanks for that... looks quite entertaining!

[Nesacat]

It's my favourite month is October. I read two books every year and the rest change. The two constants are Halloween Tree and From The Dust Returned. Both by the same wonderful gentleman.

I will probably read Dan Simmons' Summer of Night and Wilum Pugmire's Tangled Muse. Not at sure what the rest will be. Will likely involve Harry Dresden too.

[Fried Egg]

Originally Posted by Nesacat

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][COLOR=DarkRed]It's my favourite month is October. I read two books every year and the rest change. The two constants are Halloween Tree and From The Dust Returned. Both by the same wonderful gentleman.

I've not heard of "From The Dust Returned". Would you recommend that then?