Don’t you hate it when an apparent supernatural thriller cops out by explaining away its horrors with a rational explanation? That’s the case with this novel, apparently the most popular by Belarussian author Uladzimir Karatkievic (1930-1984).
This was the book that turned me onto the work of T.M. Wright.
There’s an excellent reason THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE is held in such high regard now, over fifty years after its initial publication.
THE GHOST PIRATES contains all of Hodgson’s attributes–a compelling ocean-set narrative, a presentation of supernatural phenomena that was many years (if not decades) ahead of its time, and a most unique descriptive power–in its short and concentrated account of the Mortezestus, a ship besieged by spectral “pirates.”
In truth, however, only one of the nine Leroux stories collected here is PHANTOM related: “The Real Opera Ghost,” a nonfiction account of the actual crimes that inspired the novel.
That’s appropriate, as THE FOG is far and away the best of the bunch. For that matter, I feel it’s one of Etchison’s best novels, period.
Another novel for those who think they’ve heard it all, it being the story of a talking hole. Yes, a hole, or rather an oubliette, which not only serves as the story’s chief driving force but also narrates the thing.
As the title promises, this short story collection purports to be a compilation of memories, most of them fantastic and/or macabre in nature.
For the most part ELSEWHERE is a charming, low-key haunted house tale that’s more interesting than scary. It certainly contains its share of quintessentially Blatty-esque wisecracks.
This Russian miniseries is the most monumental adaptation yet attempted of Mikhail Bulgakov’s MASTER AND MARGARITA