Tuesday Update

Jo is out getting a few groceries so while she's gone (late lunch is 90% ready), I'll take this opportunity to update some reading and new books.

Just Finished

1. The Horror of the Heights and Other Tales of Suspense by Arthur Conan Doyle (1992). This is my 4th book completed in September, a collection of excellent short stories by Arthur Conan Doyle.

"I've enjoyed the variety of Arthur Conan Doyle's work, his classic Sherlock Holmes stories, his historical adventures (Sir Nigel and the White Company) and his Sci-Fi (Professor Challenger). The Horror of the Heights and Other Tales of Suspense is another opportunity to see what Doyle could do, a collection of short stories featuring supernatural themes. 

The one constant about Doyle's writing is his ability to present a story, his clearness of writing, his interesting characters and his story-telling. Short stories especially require a different quality in a writer (in my opinion anyway), the ability to grab your attention quickly, to get into the gist of a story and finish it off satisfactorily. Doyle definitely can do that.

The book contains 14 short stories, all excellent and entertaining. Some are creepy, starting with the first, The horror of the Heights (what sort of beings / creatures live above the clouds?), transference of spirits between bodies, spell casting like in The Winning Shot. There are some very suspenseful stories like Our Midnight Visitor, as a visitor travels to a small Scottish island with creepy results. Doyle explored the supernatural a great deal in his life and these explorations do feature in these stories; the seeing of spirits of loved ones, the hunting for a ghost to haunt a mansion, etc.

All in all, the stories were all entertaining and most enjoyable. Nothing really terrifying but a creepiness pervades in many of the stories. Well worth exploring this genre of Doyle's writing. (4.0 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Red Rising by Pierce Brown (Red Rising #1 / 2014). I've had this book on my shelf since 2016. It's about time I tried it to see if I want to continue the fantasy series.

"The Earth is dying.

Darrow is a Red, a miner in the interior of Mars. His mission is to extract enough precious elements to one day tame the surface of the planet and allow humans to live on it. The Reds are humanity's last hope.

Or so it appears, until the day Darrow discovers it's all a lie.

That Mars has been habitable - and inhabited - for generations, by a class of people calling themselves the Golds. A class of people who look down on Darrow and his fellows as slave labor, to be exploited and worked to death without a second thought. Until the day that Darrow, with the help of a mysterious group of rebels, disguises himself as a Gold and infiltrates their command school, intent on taking down his oppressors from the inside.

But the command school is a battlefield - and Darrow isn't the only student with an agenda.

Break the chains.

Live for more."

New Books

1. Do Not Fold, Spindle, Or Mutilate by Doris Miles Disney (1987). Disney is a new mystery author (for me) I'm interested in exploring.

"After filling out a computer dating service card with a fictional name, Sophie's clowning days were about to come to an abrupt end. For one of her suitors was very, very serious. And he would make sure that this was Sophie's last laugh..."

Women Authors Whose Work I'm Enjoying - Shirley Jackson

Shirley Jackson

Shirley Jackson lived from 1916 - 1965 and was the author of several Gothic horror novels, as well as the classic short story, The Lottery. Over the years I've enjoyed 3 of her novels and The Lottery as well. Let's take a quick look at them.

1. The Haunting (1959).

"I expected a bit more from this story, probably based on some of the write-ups that I read about it and how it influenced other writers, such as Stephen King, etc. However, having said that, I enjoyed The Haunting of Hill House. I've seen both movie adaptations and I tended to picture Theodora as Claire Bloom and Eleanor as Julie Harris. The book was suspenseful, not horrific at all. You could see the mental changes or the impact of the house on Eleanor as the story progresses. There was definitely tension and the story was well-paced. I'm glad I finally have read it, will definitely have to see the 1963 movie again to compare. A solid 3.5 stars for me."

2. We Have Always Lived in the Castle (1962).

"This is the third Shirley Jackson story I've read and each, including this one, was strange and unique. I won't say it was scary but it had a creepy quality about it that gave me the shivers. Basically told by Merricat Blackwood, one of three Blackwood family memories, including Constance, her sister and Uncle Julian, it is the story of this group who live in the Blackwood home, hidden from the nearby town. Throughout the story there are hints and intimations of a family catastrophe that occurred many years before, which I won't spoil for you, but which colors all of the actions of this group and the surrounding community. Their life is disrupted by the arrival of a relative who tries to stir up their lives and the resulting incidents. Definitely a unique writer. (4.0)"

3. The Bird's Nest (1954).

"The Bird's Nest is a strange story by Shirley Jackson, not necessarily terrifying but more psychological horror. A story about Elizabeth Richmond, a young woman living with  her aunt Morgan, whose mind is peopled with different personalities. Something has happened during her childhood that has affected her deeply. These personalities, thoughtful Beth, wild Betsy and money-hungry Bess all fighting for ascendancy. Dr. Wright (or Wrong as named by Betsy) tries to unite them into one personality. The book is somewhat confusing with many incidents alluded to but not fleshed out. What did her mother do that caused this imbalance? What impact has Morgen's influence had on Elizabeth's mind? I did like how the various personalities made their presence, how they watched each other, how they would appear and disappear. There were moments, when Bess is in charge but still unable to control Betsy, as Betsy takes the pencil and writes her little witticism's while Bess watches. Not a perfect story, but very interesting. (3 stars)"

4. The Lottery (1948).

"I heard about this story on Jeopardy, oddly enough. It's a simple, straight-forward short story, but at the same time, creepy and shocking. I read that she got hate mail after she wrote this and also that people were writing to her to find out what town the story took place. You need to read to find out what the Lottery is. I recommend. (4 stars)"

An author who is well worth trying. The complete listing of her works can be found at this link.