As much as I've enjoyed Algernon Blackwood's tales of ghosts and other inexplicable horrors, I find nothing enjoyable about The Bright Messenger whoseAs much as I've enjoyed Algernon Blackwood's tales of ghosts and other inexplicable horrors, I find nothing enjoyable about The Bright Messenger whose beliefs and philosophies are silly, naive, and trite to me. I've read six chapters and that will be all....more
So, what it comes down to with the Midnight, Texas series and me is this: I love Mr. Snuggly, the surly ginger cat who speaks with a lisp and happens So, what it comes down to with the Midnight, Texas series and me is this: I love Mr. Snuggly, the surly ginger cat who speaks with a lisp and happens to be a witch's familiar.* I think the narrator in the Audible version of this series added the lisp herself and it's funny and charming because it brings a bit of humility to a feline who otherwise lacks this particular character trait.
Mr. Snuggly's 'owner', Fiji the witch, who inherited the cat from her great aunt (also a witch), is an endearing character too, as are several other characters in Harris's Midnight. As in Harris's Bonton, though, not everyone is nice and some of the citizens are terrifying. (Actually the scariest ones so far have been some of the humans. The supernaturals, overall, seem pretty stable, ethical, and kindhearted.)
I like to listen to audiobooks while cleaning my house and cooking but tend to zone out from time to time; so I need to be able to pick up the plot without too much fuss. These books are a good fit because they are an undemanding, quirky blend of supernatural mystery and gentle humour.
* As I mention in my GR profile, I am potty about ginger cats, especially our own, Ponyo. Sadly, Ponyo only speaks Cat (unless he's holding out on me)....more
There's a big ginger cat in this book who doubles as a friendly witch's familiar and who says things we all suspect cats are always thinking:
'You kepThere's a big ginger cat in this book who doubles as a friendly witch's familiar and who says things we all suspect cats are always thinking:
'You kept me waiting.' 'You should cook chicken for me every day.' 'No threatening the cat!' And of course, 'Get off my tail or I'll smother you in your sleep.'
His name is Mr. Snuggly, he speaks with a lisp, and of course he is magnificent. :)
There are also some humans, a vampire and his deadly moll, a few murders, blah blah blah ... Talking ginger cat though!
Update: As the rest of the world probably already knew, this series is now a TV program. It does not come on here in Australia, but I watched a preview on You Tube and noticed that it seems much scarier and more intense than the books. (I am listening to the second book now.) While there are violent things that happen in the books, the characters are engaging and frequently amusing. I was sad to hear the cat has lost his lisp in the TV show, because it's part of his charm; but perhaps it's a quirk the narrator added herself. The narrator, Susan Bennett, suits the material very well so I recommend the audio books....more
This is my introduction to Barbara Roden's work and I found it to be an excellent collection of stories, well-written and modern-Gothic in tone. As wiThis is my introduction to Barbara Roden's work and I found it to be an excellent collection of stories, well-written and modern-Gothic in tone. As with all collections, some stories are merely good and others outstanding. (There are no stinkers though.) The ones I liked best were 'The Palace,' 'Out and Back,' and, most especially, the collection title story, 'Northwest Passage.'...more
These stories are a hundred years old and as fresh today as the day they were written; creepy and brilliant tales which I highly recommend if you likeThese stories are a hundred years old and as fresh today as the day they were written; creepy and brilliant tales which I highly recommend if you like psychological horror in a literary style. My favourites in this collection are The Area and Szamota's Mistress....more
This is a high-quality selection of thirteen spooky Christmas stories. I'd read three of them already but they were worth reading again and I liked evThis is a high-quality selection of thirteen spooky Christmas stories. I'd read three of them already but they were worth reading again and I liked every one, though not equally. Muriel Spark, Robert Aickman, Neil Gaiman, and M.R. James always shine brightest for me....more
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