Halloween Countdown 2018, Day 23

[eldritchhobbit]

I recently read two incredible novellas/short novels that most definitely deserve recommendation, especially during the Halloween season.

I learned about Misplaced Persons, also published as Displaced Person, by Australian author Lee Harding (1979) from a wonderful list by the always-eldritch Mike Davis from The Lovecraft Ezine in his fantastic post of “Lovecraftian Novels I Recommend.” His recommendation was so compelling that I started looking for the novel, and the majority of the reviews I found said similar things: the reviewers had remembered the novel from their young adult days and, after tracking it down for a rereading decades later, found it to be equally compelling if not more so. After reading this work, I totally understand why it stayed with readers. It will haunt me for a long time to come.

One day the protagonist, an Australian teen, realizes that people don’t really see him anymore. He places an order at McDonald’s that never gets filled; his girlfriend seems to look right through him; he comes home to find his parents having dinner without him. What’s more, sounds fade, and even the posters on the wall of his bedroom lose their color. I hesitate to say more, because the journey is both so fantastic and so utterly relatable that you deserve to experience it on your own. Suffice it to say that this short book goes there, unflinchingly, with an impact. Cosmic horror? Definitely.

Here’s a quote:

Was it possible that my life, up to now, had been no more than a dream, that the reality I had known had been but a pretense, and that I was about to embark upon some mysterious metamorphosis?

If you take a word – any simple, ordinary, everyday word – and repeat it over to yourself often enough you will soon discover that it loses all meaning; sheer repetition robs any word of our familiarity with it. And could it be so with life itself?

I thought these were very wild, very bold thoughts for someone like myself, who had never worried much before about existence. And they were not uplifting. As I walked out of Flinders Street Station and viewed again the sickly wasteland of the city, I wondered if I was indeed mad, or if I had been displaced from an older order of reality… and placed in another.

This can be easily read in one or two sittings. Highly recommended!

I am a fan of Stephen Volk. I had the good fortune to narrate his “After the Ape” for the TalesToTerrify podcast, and the story still follows me around to this day. His short story “Hounded” is one of the best Sherlockian tales I’ve ever read. He has an ability to go for the jugular in all he writes, and Whitstable (2013) is no exception.

A loving tribute to one of my all-time favorite actors, Peter Cushing, Whitstable draws on real history and finds the man a new widower and utterly lost without his beloved wife. Then a young boy who needs a slayer of real-life monsters finds him and mistakes him for one of the characters he portrayed on film, Van Helsing, and Cushing discovers a new reason to live. This is a moving and powerful love letter to the gentleman named Peter Cushing, to Hammer Horror movies, and to the power of the stories we tell ourselves to give ourselves courage and create light in the darkness.

Here is a quote:

“Good gracious,” Cushing said. “You mustn’t take these kind of pictures too much to heart, young man.”

“Pictures? What’s pictures got to do with it?” The abruptness was nothing short of accusatory. “I’m talking about here and now and you’re the vampire hunter and you need to help me.” The boy realised his harsh tone of voice might be unproductive, so quickly added, sheepishly, “Please.” Then, more bluntly, “It’s your job.”

It’s your job – Vampire Hunter.

You’re heroic.

You’re powerful.

Cushing swallowed, his mouth unaccountably dry.

This is a terrible, beautiful, horrifying, affirming story, and I think you should read it.

Comments

[acciochocolate]

You had me at Peter Cushing. ;) Bur seriously, both novels sound wonderful.

[eldritchhobbit]

Peter Cushing was the best! 👏👏👏 This really does him justice too. Volk clearly has done his research and deeply admires Cushing.

I really loved both of these. They’re short, but they pack a punch!

[febobe]

A gorgeous tribute. Now I want to read Whitstable....

I believe so, so much in this: This is a moving and powerful love letter to the gentleman named Peter Cushing, to Hammer Horror movies, and to the power of the stories we tell ourselves to give ourselves courage and create light in the darkness. That is why my lifeblood is my writing...that is how I make meaning out of all the pain in my life, all the medical issues. It gives me that reason to feel needed...by my stories...b/c I tell myself that somewhere out there is another me, and she needs to read what I am writing. I don't know that it's always true, but it brings me comfort.

*hugs snugs loves* This has been probably my favorite countdown year of yours, or if not, it's very close. This year has been splendid. <3 Thank you so much. :)

[eldritchhobbit]

You are such a bright light, my friend! You made me teary-eyed with your words. I need to be better about commenting, but know you are an inspiration, and you change lives and lift others up with your words.

I think you would love Whitstable. It has so many soft, quiet moments of intense courage. It’s also about how profoundly human decency — and imagination! — can make a difference.

I am absolutely delighted that you’re enjoying the countdown. This year has been so busy and flown by so quickly, and it’s lovely just to slow down a bit and reconnect with friends like you and share a bit of Octobery fun! Hugs and love to you!