Sorry I could not make the chat, work and holidays piled up on me. But I was there in spirit and I’ve enjoyed your comments on this book and the insights of others in the group. I had been hesitant to pick up this one. Ligotti is my all time favorite author. I knew Padgett was heavily influenced by Ligotti, and I was hoping this wouldn’t just be a “lite” version or ripoff. Well.. a few chapters in and that worry evaporated. Jon stands on his own as a great weird fiction writer. The atmosphere in these stories floats as thick, heavy, and dark as the worst paper mill smog. I also saw similarities to Ramsay Campbell and Brian Evenson, other favorites of mine. The coolest thing about this book is that although it can be read as a novel, each story can also stand alone as a short story. Other authors have tried this, but I can’t think of any who had this level of success. The indoor swamp and plane crash sections were the most entertaining to me. I hope Jon has a lot more in store for us readers. This book is now sitting next to the Grimscribe on my shelf and I will return to immerse myself in its putrid atmosphere again soon. Thanks for the great recommendation.
Thanks so much for your comment. No worries about the meetup. I know it was a busy time of year for everyone. I'm so glad that you connected with the book so well. I agree completely about the connections between Jon, Ligotti, Evenson and Campbell. All wonderful writers of the uncanny. Equally enamored by the form, which is a big reason why I chose this title. I feel that it can be read in so many ways, and it works every time. It's also a book which rattles around in your mind for a long time after you finish it, so I am delighted to hear that you'll be diving back in at some point.
Sorry I could not make the chat, work and holidays piled up on me. But I was there in spirit and I’ve enjoyed your comments on this book and the insights of others in the group. I had been hesitant to pick up this one. Ligotti is my all time favorite author. I knew Padgett was heavily influenced by Ligotti, and I was hoping this wouldn’t just be a “lite” version or ripoff. Well.. a few chapters in and that worry evaporated. Jon stands on his own as a great weird fiction writer. The atmosphere in these stories floats as thick, heavy, and dark as the worst paper mill smog. I also saw similarities to Ramsay Campbell and Brian Evenson, other favorites of mine. The coolest thing about this book is that although it can be read as a novel, each story can also stand alone as a short story. Other authors have tried this, but I can’t think of any who had this level of success. The indoor swamp and plane crash sections were the most entertaining to me. I hope Jon has a lot more in store for us readers. This book is now sitting next to the Grimscribe on my shelf and I will return to immerse myself in its putrid atmosphere again soon. Thanks for the great recommendation.
Thanks so much for your comment. No worries about the meetup. I know it was a busy time of year for everyone. I'm so glad that you connected with the book so well. I agree completely about the connections between Jon, Ligotti, Evenson and Campbell. All wonderful writers of the uncanny. Equally enamored by the form, which is a big reason why I chose this title. I feel that it can be read in so many ways, and it works every time. It's also a book which rattles around in your mind for a long time after you finish it, so I am delighted to hear that you'll be diving back in at some point.