Halloween Countdown, Day 23

[eldritchhobbit]

Gothic
Originally uploaded by hodge

LITERATURE OF THE DAY: Today's spooky reading is a classic, "The Wind in the Rose-Bush" by Mary E. Wilkins (Freeman) (1852-1930).

Excerpt from "The Wind in the Rose-Bush" by Mary E. Wilkins (Freeman):
"The rose is on the bush, and it's gone from the bed in my room! Is this house haunted, or what?"

"I don't know anything about a house being haunted. I don't believe in such things. Be you crazy?" Mrs. Dent spoke with gathering force. The colour flashed back to her cheeks.

"No," said Rebecca shortly. "I ain't crazy yet, but I shall be if this keeps on much longer. I'm going to find out where that girl is before night."

Read the complete story.



LINK OF THE DAY: BrokenSea Audio Productions is releasing new audio material (short stories, poems and audio drama) every day of October on their website and via podcast. Included are classic tales from authors like Edgar Allan Poe, Joseph Conrad, and H.P. Lovecraft, full cast audio drama, and readings of great new horror tales by authors who have contributed works to the project. And there's a major event planned for All Hallows Eve itself! Check out 31 Nights of Horror: A Season of Screams.

Comments

Russell Kirk

[(Anonymous)]

Amy, let me suggest you look at The Surly Sullen Bell, a collection of ghost stories by Russell Kirk. Kirk was a philosopher obsessed with loss, decay, and conservation. He was suspicious of modernism in a way that reminds me of Waugh, or--more interestingly to you--Tolkien. He grew up in Mecosta, Michigan, a semi-ghost town surrounded by denuded forests, an environment caused by the arrival and departure of the big logging companies. This bleak landscape influenced his writings, both the essays and the fiction.

He also has a gothic novel set in Scotland called Old House of Fear. It's his best-known book. I haven't read it; have you?

-The Fredösphere
http://fredosphere.com

Re: Russell Kirk

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Hi there, Fred! When are you going to have that "Buns of Cubic Zirconium" tape out? I want a copy! *g*

Thanks so much for stopping by. You know, I've read a bit of his political theory and political history, but I've never read any of Kirk's fiction. I can see, though, with his Burkean thought, that he would be very interested in exploring themes of entropy and decay in his fiction.

He grew up in Mecosta, Michigan, a semi-ghost town surrounded by denuded forests, an environment caused by the arrival and departure of the big logging companies. This bleak landscape influenced his writings, both the essays and the fiction.

Okay, I am there! I'm off to find copies of The Surly Sullen Bell and Old House of Fear. Thanks a million for the terrific recommendations!