Plot: The painter, Mr. Scott, writes that he first sees the watchman go into a church on Washington Square and thinks nothing of it. The next time he sees him, he glances from his window and sees his face. It reminds him of a “coffin-worm” or “grave-worm” (a maggot). He turns back to his easelContinue reading “Review of “The Yellow Sign” by Robert W. Chambers: Halloween Countdown”
Tag Archives: dreams
Review of “The Entail” by E. T. A. Hoffmann: Halloween Countdown
Plot:Our hero’s great-uncle V— works as a law agent and “Justitiarius” (other translations call him “Advocate”) for the family of Freiherr (Baron)* R—. Our hero is named V—like his great-uncle. He accompanies the elder V— to the family estates to attend to R— family business. Uncle V—’s usual rooms are unavailable, having suffered a catastrophicContinue reading “Review of “The Entail” by E. T. A. Hoffmann: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “The Face” by E. F. Benson: Halloween Countdown
For October 11 Plot:Hester Ward is a happily married mother of two small children. Still young, she’s good-looking (and aware of it), healthy, and prosperous. Yet after a dream like those she had when she was younger, she senses catastrophe approaching. She sees no point in telling her husband, Dick, about anything so silly. TheyContinue reading “Review of “The Face” by E. F. Benson: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “The Bad Lands” by John Metcalfe: Halloween Countdown
For October 4 Plot: To “slay the demon of neurosis,” Brent Ormerod takes a vacation in the quiet town of Todd on the Norfolk coast of England. As part of his treatment, he gets plenty of exercise and fresh air. He returns to the hotel from these daily walks exhausted and sleeps. Things go wellContinue reading “Review of “The Bad Lands” by John Metcalfe: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “Reunion: A Story: A Novella” by Alex Diaz-Granados
Full disclosure: author Alex Diaz-Granados and I have been net buddies for (is it possible?) nearly twenty years, first becoming acquainted at the now-defunct site Epinions, lo, these many years ago. Plot:Jim Garraty’s dream of becoming a history professor at a prestigious university has come true. He has some well-regarded publications under his belt andContinue reading “Review of “Reunion: A Story: A Novella” by Alex Diaz-Granados”
Review of “The Man Who Killed Don Quixote” (2018)
We watched an oddball film for our Saturday pizza and bad movie night, a sad movie that dealt with dreams, fantasy v. reality, guilt, and a bit of insanity. Plot: The movie opens the line: And now… after more than 25 years of making… and unmaking. The viewer first sees a storybook of Don QuixoteContinue reading “Review of “The Man Who Killed Don Quixote” (2018)”
Review of “The Dream-Gown of the Japanese Ambassador” by Brander Matthews Halloween Countdown
12) “The Dream-Gown of the Japanese Ambassador” by Brander Matthews Plot: World traveler Cosmo Waynflete has just returned to New York, having amassed a collection of curiosities from nearly every corner of the globe. Exhausted, he dons the elaborately embroidered silk robe of the title—one he bought “in a little curiosity-shop in Nuremberg”—and stares intoContinue reading “Review of “The Dream-Gown of the Japanese Ambassador” by Brander Matthews Halloween Countdown”
Review of “Caterpillars” by E. F. Benson
4) “Caterpillars” by E. F. Benson The nameless narrator recounts how he sensed something was wrong the moment he set foot in the Villa Cascana—although it was a delightful house. When he saw letters on the table waiting for him, he thought perhaps there was some terrible news, but this was not so. The hostessContinue reading “Review of “Caterpillars” by E. F. Benson”
Review of “Night Visions” by Holley Cornetto
Plot: After eleven and a half years, he realizes he hates his wife. He isn’t sleeping well, and his hairline is receding. He wants a convertible. His wife snores and farts in her sleep. To make matters worse, she wants a baby. Maybe he should have an affair with some Brittany Spears look-alike—not as sheContinue reading “Review of “Night Visions” by Holley Cornetto”
Reviews of Old and New Stories. Mostly Old 