Halloween Countdown, Day 3

[eldritchhobbit]

Today's stunning picture is by the fabulous lizziebelle.




How fascinating is this? According to the new November 2011 issue of Sky & Telescope, Dr. Don Olson, an astrophysicist at Texas State University-San Marcos, claims to have used textual clues to pinpoint the precise moment, down to date and hour, when Mary Shelley conceived of Frankenstein. Read more here.

Text of the Day: This gives me an excuse to highlight another work by Mary Shelley (one of my favorite authors!), the chilling 1831 story "Transformation."

Excerpt:
I have heard it said, that, when any strange, supernatural, and necromantic adventure has occurred to a human being, that being, however desirous he may be to conceal the same, feels at certain periods torn up as it were by an intellectual earthquake, and is forced to bare the inner depths of his spirit to another. I am a witness of the truth of this. I have dearly sworn to myself never to reveal to human ears the horrors to which I once, in excess of fiendly pride, delivered myself over. The holy man who heard my confession, and reconciled me to the church, is dead. None knows that once —

Why should it not be thus? Why tell a tale of impious tempting of Providence, and soul-subduing humiliation? Why? answer me, ye who are wise in the secrets of human nature! I only know that so it is; and in spite of strong resolve — of a pride that too much masters me—of shame, and even of fear, so to render myself odious to my species — I must speak.

Read the complete story here.

Download an unabridged narration from Librivox.org.

Comments

[travels-in-time.livejournal.com]

Gorgeous photo! Although it does look like a sort of Heavenly Facepalm.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Isn't it beautiful?

Heavenly Facepalm! LOL! I love it.

[syredronning.livejournal.com]

I don't share your love for Halloween but I'm always amused about your squeeing :)

Also, whenever someone tells me that English sentences need to be short and straight, I think of those gorgeous authors of the past ♥ Thanks for linking!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Aw!!! :)

Also, whenever someone tells me that English sentences need to be short and straight, I think of those gorgeous authors of the past ♥

So true! They are beloved and read/re-read for good reason!

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

I love the picture! Very moody, what with the fog.

I heard about the validation of Mary Shelley's story regarding how she thought it up. Apparently, many hadn't believed it.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you liked it, too!

I love the fact that science can now verify her story.

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

Thanks! That's one of my favorite statues in that cemetery. I've taken a lot of pictures of her. :)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

It's such a gorgeous statue! And you caught it so well, with the fog, and the surrounding graves. I love this photo so much.

Thanks again for allowing me to post it!

[agentxpndble.livejournal.com]

That's cool about the astronomy thing! When I get these discs in the mail to you, one of the extras I chucked onto the last disc (because there was room) is a BBC 2003 docudrama, Frankenstein: Birth of a Monster. Hopefully I'll get these in the mail in the next few days...

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I love the fact science now can verify her story.

Oooh, that documentary sounds fantastic! I can't wait to see it. Thank you so much, my friend!

[ankh-hpl.livejournal.com]

Fascinating indeed -- and the blog you linked to looks promising as well. Thanks for the info!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you find it of interest, too. That blog is terrific. I've found lots of good information there.

[elizkcampbell.livejournal.com]

"O Expectation! What a frightful thing art thou, when kindled by fear, rather than hope."

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

How I love Mary Shelley!