17) “Spurs” by Todd Robbins Plot:In early 20th-century France, Jacques Courbé is a dwarf who performs in Copo’s Circus, riding his “gallant charger”—a dog—St. Eustache, like a knight of old. The crowd laughs and throws orange and banana peels at him, for he is a parody of the circus bareback horse riders. Only by dreamsContinue reading “Review of “Spurs” by Todd Robbins: Halloween Countdown”
Tag Archives: writing
Review of “The Portrait” by Margaret Oliphant: Halloween Countdown
15) “The Portrait” by Margaret Oliphant Plot:Our hero, Philip Canning, tells the reader that he lived with his father at The Grove, a Queen Anne-style place, “a large old house in the immediate neighborhood of a little town,” that is being torn down as he writes to make way for townhouses. Philip’s mother died duringContinue reading “Review of “The Portrait” by Margaret Oliphant: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “Passing of a God” by Henry S. Whitehead: Halloween Countdown
14) “Passing of a God” by Henry S. Whitehead Plot: Gerald Canevin is an American writer living in the Virgin Islands. While visiting his friend, Dr. Pelletier of the U.S. Navy Medical Corps, he hears the story of the doctor’s patient, Arthur Carswell. The 45-year-old American Carswell sought treatment two years earlier in Port-au-Prince for anContinue reading “Review of “Passing of a God” by Henry S. Whitehead: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka: Halloween Countdown: Halloween Countdown
13) “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka Plot:Gregor Samsa wakes up to find himself transformed into some form of vermin. This doesn’t provoke the panic that one might think. Gregor has more important things on his mind—first, he has to get out of bed, and that’s difficult to do with a domed back and a bunchContinue reading “Review of “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka: Halloween Countdown: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “The Master of Hollow Grange” by Sax Rohmer: Halloween Countdown
12) “The Master of Hollow Grange” by Sax Rohmer Plot:Jack Dillon arrives at Hollow Grange seeking rest and quiet while a storm is brewing. He’s recovering from a war wound. No one appears to greet him. He tells the taxi driver to leave his baggage at the gate and walks up the winding, confusing driveContinue reading “Review of “The Master of Hollow Grange” by Sax Rohmer: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “His Unconquerable Enemy” by W. C. Morrow: Halloween Countdown
10) “His Unconquerable Enemy” by W. C. Morrow Plot: Our hero performs “a difficult surgical operation on one of the women of a great [unnamed] rajah’s household.” In return, the rajah invites him to stay at his palace for as long as he likes. The rajah is a man of “noble character,” but “possessed aContinue reading “Review of “His Unconquerable Enemy” by W. C. Morrow: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “The Gateway of the Monster” by William Hope Hodgson: Halloween Countdown
8) “The Gateway of the Monster” by William Hope Hodgson Plot: Upon his return, Carnacki, the occult detective, invites Dodgson (the narrator, whose name curiously resembles the author’s), along with their friends Arkright, Jessop, and Taylor, to dinner. They expect him to regale them with another tale of his strange adventures. Once they’ve finished dinner,Continue reading “Review of “The Gateway of the Monster” by William Hope Hodgson: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “The Color Out of Space” by H. P. Lovecraft: Halloween Countdown
3) “The Color Out of Space” by H. P. Lovecraft Plot:Our unnamed hero has a job surveying land west of (fictional) Arkham, Massachusetts, for a new reservoir. The locals tell him the place is evil. While making his way through the dense, overgrown forest and deserted farms, he gets spooked. Nothing prepares him for whatContinue reading “Review of “The Color Out of Space” by H. P. Lovecraft: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “Circumstance” by Harriet Prescott Spofford: Halloween Countdown
Note: The story reviewed below deals with violent imagery and sublimated sexual violence as well as not so sublimated racism. 2) “Circumstance” by Harriet Prescott Spofford Plot: Walking home from visiting a sick neighbor, through a “wilderness untrod save by stealthy native of deadly panther tribes,” our heroine sees a winding sheet fluttering in theContinue reading “Review of “Circumstance” by Harriet Prescott Spofford: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “Berenice” by Edgar Allan Poe: Halloween Countdown
It’s that time of year again. Happy Halloween. 1) “Berenice” by Edgar Allan Poe Plot: Egaeus and his cousin Berenice have grown up together and live in an old family house. They are polar opposites. Egaeus tells the reader that Berenice is “agile, graceful, and overflowing with energy.” While he stays home and reads—or whatever—BereniceContinue reading “Review of “Berenice” by Edgar Allan Poe: Halloween Countdown”
