| Author | Message | ||
     John_l_probert (John_l_probert) Username: John_l_probert Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 90.208.48.93 |
Anyone else read this? I like my fiction fairly plot driven and with a purpose, but Mr Barron's prose is something I find myself wishing I could aspire to, even if his stories seem to meander off quite a lot of the time. For anyone who hasn't read it - the first two stories are a bit rubbish and then it picks up and keeps getting better. At least I thought so. | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.240.83 |
I've almost finished this, john. I was loving it until 3 or 4 stories from the end, and then I sort of lost his voice for a while. I went back to it recently, though, and I'd say it's very good. At the halfway mark I thought it was going to be exceptional, but I think that meandering quality put me off a little. But yes, his prose is often breathtaking. I also like the way he's using Lovecraftian fiction to examine themes like machismo and the role of being a man in the modern world, and his tough-guy characters are a treat. | ||
| John_l_probert (John_l_probert) Username: John_l_probert Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 90.208.48.93 |
Ah - well I'm halfway through so I'll let you know what I think of the last 100 pages. Sadly, his bio doesn't explain the presence of the eyepatch! | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.240.83 |
I loved "The Procession of the Black Sloth", but none of the other stories reached the same giddy heights for me. I do think it's a solid collection, though, and kudos to the man for doing something new with the material. | ||
| John_l_probert (John_l_probert) Username: John_l_probert Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 90.208.48.93 |
That was very good, but again the tremendous buildup and atmosphere got a bit scuppered by the finale. Same with "Bulldozer", which I thought was a cracking Old West horror story which didn't fulfil its promise | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 218.168.193.19 |
I have only read the first story so far, and I wasn't that impressed. | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.240.83 |
I can see that the prose wouldn't appeal to you, Huw. i know you're not too fond of the clipped, pared-down style and favour a more expansive kind of writing. Reggie Oliver's Ash Tree collection remains the best I've read lately. I've also just bought the remarkable Quentin S. Crisp's "Morbid Tales." | ||
| Hubert (Hubert) Username: Hubert Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 78.21.189.60 |
Is that THE Quentin Crisp? I didn't know he was a weird fictioneer . . . | ||
| Mick (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.159.154.197 |
Reggie Oliver's Ash Tree collection remains the best I've read lately. Just finished that mesel' - good, isn't it? | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 218.168.187.131 |
Zed, I didn't think it was bad, really; I was just expecting more, and it seemed a bit cliched and not fleshed-out enough. I'm hoping I'll enjoy the rest of the stories more than I did 'Old Virginia'. I don't automatically dislike all pared-down writing, but given my tastes I suppose I'm more likely to dislike it, when I think it's lacking, than a more expansive style. I'm with you on Masques of Satan - great collection (so far). | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.240.83 |
Huw - I did think the first story in the LB collection was probably the weakest. Give it another go; see what you think. | ||
| John_l_probert (John_l_probert) Username: John_l_probert Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 90.199.0.248 |
Well I've nearly finished, and while stories like the novella 'Halluciginia' are beautifuly written I've just about had enough of 'there's something vague going on that this story is going to remain pretty vague about but ooooo isn't it weird'?. I suspect Mr Barron is best appreciated in small doses, but then I prefer a pared down style as well - too much florid detail & I start to skip bits. Masques of Satan is superb. It's a different Quentin Crisp, of course. 'Morbid Tales' I quite liked, even if the first story is essentially the build-up to what I thought was a reasonably funny gag (at least I hope that's what he intended) | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.240.83 |
Yep, small doses...exactly what I thought. | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.240.83 |
John I've just emailed you about your ms. Brilliant. brilliant. Brilliant.  | ||
| Joel (Joel) Username: Joel Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.151.135.41 |
'Is that THE Quentin Crisp?' Actually, yes. It's the other one who isn't. The author of THE NAKED CIVIL SERVANT adopted the name Quentin Crisp, whereas the weird fiction writer, teacher and ex-punk was given the name by parents who had never heard of the former. So our Quentin Crisp is the real one. | ||
| Tom_alaerts (Tom_alaerts) Username: Tom_alaerts Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.78.35.170 |
Barron's style is indeed somewhat confusing at times, but it is so well done and atmospheric that I didn't mind. Personal favourite is Hallucigena. | ||
| John_l_probert (John_l_probert) Username: John_l_probert Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.176.105.47 |
I agree Tom. Some of his sentences are so deliriously perfect that even I can forgive his stories sort of going nowhere. But I still maintain that as a book it's all a bit much to be absorbed all in one go | ||
| Tom_alaerts (Tom_alaerts) Username: Tom_alaerts Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.244.134.129 |
Absolutely. In that respect he's a bit like Ligotti. And like foie gras: delicious in small doses but best enjoyed in small doses. A propos John: I read that you have an Ash-tree collection coming up: very good news, congratulations! Are any of your stories somewhere online for sampling? | ||
| John_l_probert (John_l_probert) Username: John_l_probert Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 90.209.204.110 |
Thanks Tom! The only tale of mine currently available online is one that isn't in the forthcoming book, but if you'd like to take a look it's at: http://www.grayfriarpress.com/ophelia.html |