However just as sat down to gather my thoughts, the postman delivered a copy of Reggie Oliver's Mrs Midnight, and Peter Atkins Rumours of The Marvellous. Both of these books are a joy to behold, great covers, excellent top notch production values. They just feel right in at home in the hand. I know some folk argue that a story is just words and it doesn't matter who you read them. Yes they are partly right, so far I have read the first three stories in this collection, and they are wonderful stories, stories that are both powerful and subtle at the same time. They deserve their place in print, in book whose production values matches that of the stories within. This looks like it is going to be one of those books that you will treasure for a long long time. It doesn't deserve to be confined to the disposable medium of e-books. I don't want to hear "ah but yes but", books are in danger of going the same way as music, you can't tell me you feel the same way about the books stored on your Kindle as you do about that dog eared copy of your favourite novel. That novel that has been read so many times it's stuck together with sticky tape. Over that last few days my feelings on E-books has changed dramatically. I'll still buy them, Christ I'm Scottish and I'll never pass up on a bargain, however I think I'm going to have to get some new shelves installed.
So anyway back to the book in question. Simon is described as a writer of weird fiction, and to be honest I've never been that sure as to what that means. Based on the stories I have read so far, I'd like to change writer of weird fiction to that of a writer of mind blowing excellence. I won't lie you, I probably didn't get all the subtle nuances of these stories, but that is a criticism of me rather than the skill of Simon's writing.
First up is Out Of Touch, this tale about two boys, one of whom is trapped indoors thanks to a nasty medical condition, and one whose household is permanently under a cloud of loss and unfinished business, thanks to his father departure from the family home. There is an abandoned house on their street, a house that has am unusual amount of butterflies in its garden. When one of the boys sees a young girl at one of the windows in the house, events start to transpire that can only end in tragedy. Out Of Touch is one hell of a way to open a collection. It is evocative, emotional, thought provoking and as I have said before subtle and powerful and the same time.
Her Fathers Daughter, also concerns people trapped in their homes by circumstance. This time it is a pair of old spinsters, trapped in their house by the loss of their father. Resigned to live in the past, their lives are interrupted when a young woman's car brakes down. She knocks on their door for help. This is a very foreboding story, Simon has you at the edge of the seat, waiting for the big shock. There is a real sense of dread, the fact that the big scare doesn't come, and you are not left feeling disappointed is testament to the skill of Simon's writing.
The Deafening Sound Of Slumber, can Simon not only keep up the standard set by the previous stories, but by the standard set by a brilliant title. The people aren't sleeping well, something is invading their dreams, trying to breakthrough into our world. In a war with chaos and entropy, there can only be one winner. The final sentence of this story will bring a wry smile to your face.
Unreasonable Doubt, is chilling ghost tale that deals with both revenge from beyond the grave, and how public reaction to crime can so easily me swayed. Unreasonable doubt show that Simon is just as at home writing a more traditional ghost story as he is at creating his own brand of wired fiction.
Tend Your Garden, is a disturbing tale, a man returns to his once marital home in search of some blueprints. He soon starts to find himself lost, things are not what they once were, walls have somehow mysteriously moved, lost and disoriented he stumbles across something held captive within the foundations of the house. Tend Your Garden is a much more layered, and textured story than the previous two tales. It showcases the high level of skill that Simon writes with, as the story works on many levels. If you take it as just a twist on the haunted house story it works, but more importantly if you take as a story of a many dealing with feelings of loss and disorientation from the breakdown of his marriage then this story works
The Nightingale, a good old fashioned horror story, which again deals with the becoming trapped within ones own life. This time the hero of the story becomes trapped by his obsession with a glamorous night club singer. Can he break free from the the beguiling sirens songs, for to embrace her song is to embrace death. This is a brilliant story that would sit comfortably next to any of the past masters of subtle horror. The sense of dread and longing builds wonderfully until the shocking reveal. Classic.
A Pale Light In The Jungle, can be described as an urban horror, can a man really escape from the pressures and horrors of a modern world. To be honest I didn't really connect with story, I'm not sure why.
An Indelible Stain Upon The Sky, deals with a town dying and coming to terms with the aftermath of an oil spill. This is a wonderfully spooky and chilling tale. The way in which Simon describes the oils spill at the beginning of the story, is a master stroke. It becomes a malevolent form sucking the life blood from everything it touches.
Something New sees Natalie attending a wedding reception, a reception that will find her fighting for her life. This story very much like The Nightingale, has the power of music at it's heart. This story is very effective at inducing a strong sense of weirdness and spookiness.
Mr Kneale, is an odd beast, it will send a shiver down your spine, but at the same time you'll be chuckling along at this wonderful satirical take on a writers life, and the fun they have at a convention. if you have ever attended a convention, you have fun spotting many well known faces.
Everything Floats. is everything a haunted house story should be. It's been a while since a story has actually sent shivers down my spine. Strantzas, keeps things fresh by turning this in more than just your standard haunted house story.
When Sorrows Come is a deeply moving tale, about those old classic themes, love, loss and heartache. This extremely emotional tale is a perfect ending for this collection.
Nightingale Songs is a wonder to read. Stanzas, has produced a collection of stories that are multilayered, intelligent, moving and in some cases deeply chilling. There is an almost dreamlike quality to some of these stories, and some of them will have you mulling over them trying to find out what the hidden theme of the story was.
Nightingale Songs, is another book, that has help change my perceptions of literary horror. A few years ago, I would never have envisioned myself even picking up this book, let alone enjoying it so much. And for that I thank you Mr Strantzas.
The Nightingale, a good old fashioned horror story, which again deals with the becoming trapped within ones own life. This time the hero of the story becomes trapped by his obsession with a glamorous night club singer. Can he break free from the the beguiling sirens songs, for to embrace her song is to embrace death. This is a brilliant story that would sit comfortably next to any of the past masters of subtle horror. The sense of dread and longing builds wonderfully until the shocking reveal. Classic.
A Pale Light In The Jungle, can be described as an urban horror, can a man really escape from the pressures and horrors of a modern world. To be honest I didn't really connect with story, I'm not sure why.
An Indelible Stain Upon The Sky, deals with a town dying and coming to terms with the aftermath of an oil spill. This is a wonderfully spooky and chilling tale. The way in which Simon describes the oils spill at the beginning of the story, is a master stroke. It becomes a malevolent form sucking the life blood from everything it touches.
Something New sees Natalie attending a wedding reception, a reception that will find her fighting for her life. This story very much like The Nightingale, has the power of music at it's heart. This story is very effective at inducing a strong sense of weirdness and spookiness.
Mr Kneale, is an odd beast, it will send a shiver down your spine, but at the same time you'll be chuckling along at this wonderful satirical take on a writers life, and the fun they have at a convention. if you have ever attended a convention, you have fun spotting many well known faces.
Everything Floats. is everything a haunted house story should be. It's been a while since a story has actually sent shivers down my spine. Strantzas, keeps things fresh by turning this in more than just your standard haunted house story.
When Sorrows Come is a deeply moving tale, about those old classic themes, love, loss and heartache. This extremely emotional tale is a perfect ending for this collection.
Nightingale Songs is a wonder to read. Stanzas, has produced a collection of stories that are multilayered, intelligent, moving and in some cases deeply chilling. There is an almost dreamlike quality to some of these stories, and some of them will have you mulling over them trying to find out what the hidden theme of the story was.
Nightingale Songs, is another book, that has help change my perceptions of literary horror. A few years ago, I would never have envisioned myself even picking up this book, let alone enjoying it so much. And for that I thank you Mr Strantzas.
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