| Author | Message | ||
     Lincoln_brown (Lincoln_brown) Username: Lincoln_brown Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 124.180.172.188 |
Anyone here a fan? Have only read one short, and although I didn't go much on it, I did like his style. Have always had the impression that his tales might be a bit 'gentle'. Any opinions? | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 213.219.8.243 |
I quite like Lamsley's work, but find it slightly wordy. His best stories - for example "The Toddler" - are very good (and very nasty) indeed. I certainly wouldn't accuse him of being too gentle - read "Urban Blight" to find out why. | ||
| Mick (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.161.169.90 |
I love his stuff - I have the three Ash-Tree volumes - favourites stories are BLADE & BONE and THE WALLS - both feel quite M R James-ish to me. | ||
| Gary Fry (Gary_fry) Username: Gary_fry Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 129.11.76.215 |
Not gentle at all. The real deal at his best. I haven't read enough of him, but I do agree with Zed that he's very wordy. Certainly not my favourite horror writer, but I'll always read whatever I see by him. | ||
| John_l_probert (John_l_probert) Username: John_l_probert Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 213.253.174.81 |
I have all three of his collections & I don't think they're gentle. BLADE & BONE is a favourite of mine as well | ||
| Joel (Joel) Username: Joel Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.151.135.41 |
Lamsley is always worth reading and intermittently brilliant. At his best he achieves a potent sense of metaphysical strangeness, an evocation of the afterlife or other realms of existence. He also does a nice line in black humour (John will probably agree with me). There's a terrific line about a guy trying to find out what has happened to a middle-aged couple in a remote village, and being told by a resident (approximate wording): "We didn't like them much – or their eleven friends." | ||
| Tom_alaerts (Tom_alaerts) Username: Tom_alaerts Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.244.134.129 |
Blade & Bone : excellent !!! | ||
| Richard_gavin (Richard_gavin) Username: Richard_gavin Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 65.110.174.71 |
Terry Lamsley is one of my favourite contemporary writers. | ||
| Albie (Albie) Username: Albie Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 195.195.236.131 |
SCREENS is good. Generally quite good. I like his stuff. | ||
| Richard_gavin (Richard_gavin) Username: Richard_gavin Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 65.92.52.126 |
I love "Screens" as well, Albie. In fact, I think that story, along with "Under the Crust", were the first Lamsley pieces I read. After those two I was convinced of Lamsley's power as a storyteller. | ||
| Mick (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.163.50.166 |
I just looked at Lamsley's three Ash-Tree collections on Abebooks - CONFERENCE WITH THE DEAD is available for around £160. And that's the cheapest - the most expensive copy is listed at £360.... Not selling mine! | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 218.168.187.146 |
Me neither! Where's that "gloaty" emoticon when you need it? | ||
| Joel (Joel) Username: Joel Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.151.135.41 |
:-)) | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 218.168.187.146 |
That's a double-chin emoticon! | ||
| Mick (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.163.50.166 |
 | ||
| Tom_alaerts (Tom_alaerts) Username: Tom_alaerts Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.244.142.189 |
> Not selling mine! well you could sell it and be happy with the nightshade reprint... and the ltd edition of this one has an extra story | ||
| Mick (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.163.50.166 |
But the Ash-Tree has such a wonderful cover and as ever the book itself is such a beauty. Besides, it sits well with UNDER THE CRUST and DARK MATTERS! | ||
| Tom_alaerts (Tom_alaerts) Username: Tom_alaerts Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.244.142.189 |
I know the original cover looks better than the Nightshade reprint (one of the few times that I am not impressed by a Nightshade cover). But still I am quite happy with my reprint edition, next to the other 2 ash-tree books and the minuscule Subterranean collection. It's the software that counts most for me. Just saying, if you're able to sell the first edition at a high price then you can basically trade it in for a blue-ray disc player or something like that... | ||
| Mick (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.161.171.30 |
It's the software that counts most for me. For me also, of course - but I do like a nice book. Plus, to turn the thread into "Technical Corner" for a moment, I'd have to sell more than that book to get and use a blu-ray player, as my current tv doesn't have HDMI and I'd have to replace that as well! | ||
| Tom_alaerts (Tom_alaerts) Username: Tom_alaerts Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.78.35.170 |
> For me also, of course - but I do like a nice book. Yes I understand. I have the splendid and valuable Ash-tree edition of the complete MR James stories, and they will have to pry it from my cold dead hands! But sometimes I wonder if it wouldn't make more sense to sell some valuable books that I will likely never re-read anyway. Now I also wonder if those expensive copies of "conference with the dead" are actually ever SOLD. Something is worth what people are prepared to pay for it, not necessarily what the seller asks. | ||
| Joel (Joel) Username: Joel Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.151.135.41 |
"I have the splendid and valuable Ash-tree edition of the complete MR James stories, and they will have to pry it from my cold dead hands!" Repeatedly, no doubt. | ||
| Lincoln_brown (Lincoln_brown) Username: Lincoln_brown Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 58.164.111.215 |
Started 'So Long Gerry', a novella by TL, last night. Enjoying it so far. | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 218.168.183.8 |
The rare first edition of UNDER THE CRUST would be nice to have, but I treasure my Ash-Tree editions, with the wonderfully creepy Douglas Walters covers. | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.157.94.235 |
The rare first edition of UNDER THE CRUST would be nice to have Indeed, but that's just a bit too highly priced! | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 218.168.179.7 |
Yep, and it's only a paperback. Have you got Ron Weighell's collection THE WHITE ROAD (published by Ghost Story Press), Mick? That's one of my favourite collections - brilliant stories in the tradition of M.R. James and Arthur Machen. Ash-Tree are planning to bring out a paperback edition some time in the future... | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.157.94.235 |
I don't have THE WHITE ROAD, Huw - read good things about it though. I may well get that Ash-Tree reprint when it's published. | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.157.94.235 |
...just found a copy for £175, but I think I'll wait for the p/b! | ||
| Tom_alaerts (Tom_alaerts) Username: Tom_alaerts Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.78.35.170 |
I am hungrily waiting for the Ash-tree reprint, I often read good comments about this collection. I believe Ash-tree also thought of bundling it with new stories, if I remember well. Perhaps Barbara can chime in? ps and another interesting ash-tree reprint is around the corner: the Ingulphus (Arthur Gray) collection !!!! | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.159.156.247 |
Finally got around to reading Lamsley's "Made Ready & Cupboard Love", a slim volume containing two long short stories(!). Cupboard Love was very good, but I looooooooved Made Ready. Highly recommended. | ||
| Lincoln_brown (Lincoln_brown) Username: Lincoln_brown Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 124.181.187.132 |
Thanks for the rec., Mick. Have an order with a seller at the moment, who has 'Made Ready...' - may have to add it to the order. I picked up 'Dark Matters', from ATP, yesterday and have 'Conference...' on its way. Already have 'Under...' - will be starting it soon. There is a copy of 'The White Road' on E-bay at the moment. Bidding has hit $600! Have only found the odd story of RW's - any hints where I could find more?(without paying $600!). I understand that he is a carpenter, by trade - must be a good bloke! | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 85.158.137.195 |
I only got hold of "Made Ready..." a couple of weeks back - the three Ash-Tree collections are superb, imo... | ||
| Tom_alaerts (Tom_alaerts) Username: Tom_alaerts Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.244.142.96 |
Made Ready is indeed the best of the two novellas in that small but exquise volume. He should write more ! | ||
| Tony (Tony) Username: Tony Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.147.50.90 |
Wish these books were cheaper, like those new Penguins that are plain and have nice covers for £2. | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 213.219.8.243 |
Me too, Tony. Me too. :-( | ||
| John_l_probert (John_l_probert) Username: John_l_probert Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 90.208.214.36 |
Bloody hell! I had no idea my copy of 'Under the Crust' was worth £250-00. Shame it will never be sold, really | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.159.156.247 |
What about your copy of Conference with the Dead, John? Andy Richards is listing that at £250 as well. Well, ok, he's not listing your copy! | ||
| John_l_probert (John_l_probert) Username: John_l_probert Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 90.208.214.36 |
Well first I've since realised that's £250 for an unsigned copy of 'Crust', and mine is signed by Lamsley on the title page. And it still only cost me £25-00 I've only got the Night Shade 'Conference', although it is the limited edition with the extra story - 'His Very Own Spatchen'. Who's published 'Made Ready'? | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.159.156.247 |
It was published by Subterranean Press - however, they only have their ($150) lettered edition in stock now. I picked the regular copy up from badlands via Abebooks a few weeks back, for £27.50. Dunno if that's a good or bad price - it's still signed and numbered though... | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.159.156.247 |
PS it was originally published at $35... | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.159.156.247 |
Started 'So Long Gerry', a novella by TL, last night. Enjoying it so far. What did you think in the end, Lincoln? No spoilers though, please! I picked up "Fourbodings" some weeks back too, mainly for this story. | ||
| Lincoln_brown (Lincoln_brown) Username: Lincoln_brown Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 124.176.133.146 |
'Camelot Books' have Made Ready, signed & limited, for US$35 - plus shipping. Really enjoyed it, Mick. Has turned me into a TL fan, that's for sure. Since finishing it, I've also read 'The Snug', 'The Walls' and 'Two Returns'. 'Fourbodings' is a great collection. The Mark Morris story is superb - and so is the Lebbon, although it's probably not going to appeal to everyone here. | ||
| Tony (Tony) Username: Tony Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.147.50.90 |
Ramsey once recommended Lamsley to me. Seems now he might as well have recommended I build my next house out of gold. | ||
| Tony (Tony) Username: Tony Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.147.50.90 |
Gotta be a curse, though; I mean where's the guy gonna earn his money from? Seeing your old stuff sell like this must be so odd considering you're not really in print. | ||
| Tony (Tony) Username: Tony Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.147.50.90 |
Having said that, I've just got a HB 1st edition a second ago for £1.37p from the US. The next cheapest was about £30! Result! | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.159.156.247 |
Having said that, I've just got a HB 1st edition a second ago for £1.37p from the US. The next cheapest was about £30! Result! What was the book, Tony? | ||
| Tony (Tony) Username: Tony Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.147.50.90 |
Conference with the Dead. It didn't look all skeletony like the ps one, though. | ||
| Tony (Tony) Username: Tony Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.147.50.90 |
Ash Tree, I mean. | ||
| Tom_alaerts (Tom_alaerts) Username: Tom_alaerts Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 80.201.67.163 |
you have the nightshade reprint then. Nothing wrong with it! | ||
| Matthew_fell (Matthew_fell) Username: Matthew_fell Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 216.232.189.45 |
I am hungrily waiting for the Ash-tree reprint, I often read good comments about this collection. I believe Ash-tree also thought of bundling it with new stories, if I remember well. Perhaps Barbara can chime in? It's extremely unlikely that Ash-Tree will ever reprint Terry Lamsley. But we do have available - for a deep-pocketed collector - a first edition of CONFERENCE WITH THE DEAD, signed by Terry and Ramsey (Introduction), with the dust jacket signed by the artist, Douglas Walters. Offers entertained . . . . Christopher | ||
| Simon Strantzas (Nomis) Username: Nomis Registered: 05-2008 Posted From: 99.254.205.129 |
Lamsley is one of the few good ones. It's a shame he isn't driven to write more, but we've had more from him than some of the other greats so no complaining. | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.159.156.247 |
...and I just have "His Very Own Spatchen" to collect, using the very handy bibliography from Lamsley's site that you set up, Simon! I may invest in the Night Shade collection to get it, although it'd be better to get hold of "Taps & Sighs", as I'll not already have the rest of the book that way. | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.159.156.247 |
Whoo-hoo - picked up "Taps & Sighs" from Andy Richards, for £10! Just call me Mr Completist... | ||
| John_l_probert (John_l_probert) Username: John_l_probert Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 90.208.214.11 |
I've just ordered Made Ready from Amazon! | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.159.156.247 |
Read the second story first, John - Made Ready is superb, so save it 'til last! | ||
| John_l_probert (John_l_probert) Username: John_l_probert Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 90.208.214.4 |
Hooray for Bank Holiday weekends and finally the time to catch up on important things, like 'Made Ready & Cupboard Love' - a lovely little book containing two very unsettling stories. I like Terry Lamsley a lot anyway, but I think these are both superior examples of his work, both of them featuring his recurring theme of 'Holidays from Hell'. Like Mick, I preferred 'Made Ready' - which on the surface doesn't really offer anything we haven't seen before, but by the end I was deliciously unsettled. 'Cupboard Love' feels a bit underdeveloped - perhaps a few more hints as to what was going on would have helped. Still - further proof that if necessary someone needs to nail old Terry to a desk if that would get him to produce another collection |