so-soI thought this book would be all about the titular book, but only the first few stories related to The King in Yellow. I found some of them, especially the first, deliciously creepy, but some were just baffling (the one with the sculptor may have made more sense to the original audience). Then there was a cool story about time weirdness, and then some about Paris? Some with war and some with art students? I expected consistency and found none.
so-soI found some of these stories more interesting than others, but my overall impression is of frustration. Machen‘s incredibly detailed setting descriptions make his bland characters and coy endings all the worse. I think with a good teacher, or a Victorian mindset, I would enjoy these a lot more. The introduction/afterword did help, but I was disappointed that it didn‘t address his sexism and racism.
Magrat is keeping my lap warm as I read.
I appreciate this warning! I hate when I start to read a book and the introduction spoils me. (Plus, I know plenty of people like spoilers, so this is useful for them, too!)
pickI will die with maybe one-ish regret: That I never could‘ve met Ambrose Bierce. This is a short freaking story and I‘m still thinking about it. Like, I want to throw up just thinking about it. I can‘t even tell you about it because you just need to read it. Consider me genuinely spooked, man. *shudders*
Happy Birthday, Lynn! I hope your day is filled with all your very favourite things! 📚🎂📚🎂📚
#49bdaygiveaway
panI‘m not sure why I finished this one—maybe out of spite? It‘s a collection of short stories in a style that is a mixture of the worst aspects of hard-boiled detective stories, Lovecraft, and sometimes Hemingway. Very macho characters who are very proud of their penises. The stories are not even scary, just annoying.
so-soWhile I loved the first few stories, the last half felt like it had nothing to do with the rest and was only added because Chambers had them done and wanted them published. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ photo featuring a curious Goblin #catsoflitsy
@AshRob22 !! Thank you so much for this AMAZING #HauntedHollowSwap package! The “reading ghost” cross-stitch is absolutely stunning. I adore it!
You chose some perfect reads for me and I love everything else: the hair scrunchies, pumpkin mug, earrings, bookmark, skeletal servers 😆, and candies! Perfection! Happy Halloween, friend! 🎃🎃🎃
Thank you once again, @wanderinglynn , for organizing this great swap! 🎃🎃🎃
#HHS #HHS24
