tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post7983260003973164661..comments2024-03-27T09:27:33.931+00:00Comments on Idiotic Hat: Sunday SquaredMike C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11279776665185060446noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post-85316878692534506622011-12-21T22:04:21.642+00:002011-12-21T22:04:21.642+00:00Dave,
I'm willing to try a few more M.R.J'...Dave,<br /><br />I'm willing to try a few more M.R.J's -- haven't laughed so much for ages. I've got the Susan Hill on my Kindle now -- it was hearing her on the radio earlier this week that started me down this track.<br /><br />I'm still trying to work out what the true contemporary equivalent of the Unquiet Dead might be. Watch out for my 21st c. chiller, "The USB Stick of Doom"...<br /><br />Have a good break,<br /><br />MikeMike C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11279776665185060446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post-69217686233554047662011-12-21T21:25:11.445+00:002011-12-21T21:25:11.445+00:00Actually, Mike, I quite like M. R. James - one or ...Actually, Mike, I quite like M. R. James - one or two are genuinely spooky, especially the one involving a mad Punch character running away over a field. Anyway, although I haven't read Susan Hill's "The Woman in Black" it comes highly recommended. Personally, I remember Richard Adam's "The Girl in a Swing" as probably the best ghost novel. Paul Theroux's "Black House" (I think) is worth it for a sexy take on the subject.<br /><br />Get well soon and a Happy Christmas to you.Dave Leekehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17971308602082668644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post-80547674950968572062011-12-21T11:27:00.523+00:002011-12-21T11:27:00.523+00:00Thanks, David, not feeling too bad, now, especiall...Thanks, David, not feeling too bad, now, especially with the prospect of a couple of weeks at home coming up.<br /><br />There's a film (can't remember which) in which someone says that Christmas, for them, always smells of oranges. For me, it always smells of Airfix glue... I always imagine thousands of small boys, high as kites on solvent, bent over plastic model kits on Boxing Day.<br /><br />MikeMike C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11279776665185060446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post-18315472216909863552011-12-21T00:29:24.010+00:002011-12-21T00:29:24.010+00:00Mike
I love your recollections of Christmas past ...Mike<br /><br />I love your recollections of Christmas past - as a 1945 baby it all rings so true!<br /><br />Anyway, I hope you're feeling better, and a big vote of thanks for your writing during 2011 - please keep it coming!David Brookesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post-57943321973202682852011-12-20T22:40:25.012+00:002011-12-20T22:40:25.012+00:00Gustaf,
I read the Paul McAuley story this evenin...Gustaf,<br /><br />I read the Paul McAuley story this evening -- not bad, and certainly nowhere near as daft as M.R. James. But still lacking something (not sure what) -- somehow it's not a 21st century ghost story.<br /><br />I think the problem may be that, although we're all susceptible to "atmospheres", and enjoy having our spines chilled a bit, very few of us today believe in the "theory" of ghosts (i.e. unquiet spirits, unfinished business with burial rituals, inherited curses, and all that) and it is usually this "theory" that drives the story plot (even if ambiguously, as in this story).<br /><br />It's an interesting thing to think about, and I may set myself the task of writing a ghost story over Christmas.<br /><br />MikeMike C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11279776665185060446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post-89551025808122213422011-12-20T17:33:41.891+00:002011-12-20T17:33:41.891+00:00Thanks, Gustaf (and that must be the Fastest Comme...Thanks, Gustaf (and that must be the Fastest Comment Ever) -- I'll check that out, though I'm wary of getting drawn into the sf/fantasy Pit of Doom, which seems as inescapable as the proverbial black hole... It's the classic ghost story that's interesting me, for some reason, despite the fact that everything I've looked at so far is utter tosh!<br /><br />Cheers, Martin -- actually there's a lot to be said for real boredom, but it's very hard to experience it in its pure form, these days.<br /><br />MikeMike C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11279776665185060446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post-74939144963416850932011-12-20T16:56:25.417+00:002011-12-20T16:56:25.417+00:00Similar recollections, Mike, different environment...Similar recollections, Mike, different environment. But I guess that kind of boredom came to many 16 year olds of our generation, wherever.<br /><br />Can't recommend any worthwhile ghost stories...I'm afraid (sorry, couldn't resist)<br /><br />Hope you're feeling tip-top in time for the festivities.Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13494219959077922220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post-38886495272963273662011-12-20T16:15:35.521+00:002011-12-20T16:15:35.521+00:00Funny you should mention that story, I saw it ment...Funny you should mention that story, I saw it mentioned by Paul McAuley and googled it. It had some promising spooky beginnings but the setting and the ending were indeed risible.<br /><br />Speaking of McAuley, have a gander at "Inheritance" which I believe owes a lot to that genre: <br /><br />http://www.infinityplus.co.uk/stories/inh.htmGustaf Eriksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01771769400101430487noreply@blogger.com