| Author | Message | ||
     Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 213.219.8.243 |
When I met Morrell at World Horror in Toronto the other year, I'd only ever read his short stories. Inspired by the man (who struck me as intelligent, passionate, committed and creative) I picked up First Blood and loved it. Last week I read Testament (one of the best thrillers I've ever encountered - bleak, angry, amazing) and am currently on with The Totem. The man's one hell of a writer, and I feel that I really missed out on him when I should've been reading his novels years ago. Thanks to Huw and Donald, I've finally caught up with these brilliant novels. | ||
| Craig (Craig) Username: Craig Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 75.5.3.212 |
I have THE TOTEM sitting here myself, always on the verge of picking it up and reading it... tell me what you think of it, Zed. I'm a total fan of his short stories (actually, they're pretty damn long, a lot of them!). This guy makes it all look so goddamned easy, the bastard....  | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 213.219.8.243 |
Craig, read Testament if you can get it. I can't believe no one has filmed it. | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.154.242.64 |
Most recent one of his I read was CREEPERS, which was great fun... | ||
| Allybird (Allybird) Username: Allybird Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 79.70.101.140 |
Zeddy - Read THEY in Best New Horror 18. Gives me the willies! | ||
| Mark_lynch (Mark_lynch) Username: Mark_lynch Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 212.74.96.200 |
I read his NIGHT OF FOG and something or other when I was a teenager, was put off FIRST BLOOD by the movie, but to be honest have only really enjoyed his short stories. He wrote a wonderful piece in Douglas Winter's MILLENIUM anthology, set during the flu pandemic of the last century. | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 218.168.189.62 |
Zed, I knew you'd like TESTAMENT. It's a powerful novel, all right. I'll never forget the bleak ending. I actually shed a tear while reading this. Like Mick, I'd recommend CREEPERS: it's fun, but not in the same league as TESTAMENT, obviously. Morrell seems able to alternate with ease between more popular (but still well-written) thrillers, and more atmospheric, serious horrific stuff. His collections BLACK EVENING and NIGHTSCAPE are both impressive examples of the latter type of fiction. | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.242.126 |
Thanks for the recommendation a while ago, Huw - I loved the book. The ending was stunning, especially the final (rather intertextual) line. I have NIGHTSCAPE and plan to read it after THE TOTEM. | ||
| Stu (Stu) Username: Stu Registered: 04-2008 Posted From: 86.29.100.198 |
The only Morrell novel I've read is THE PROTECTOR which, while a decent enough thriller, didn't have any real susbtance to it. Got FIRST BLOOD and his BLACK EVENING collection on my TBR pile. I take it these are better. | ||
| Stu (Stu) Username: Stu Registered: 04-2008 Posted From: 86.29.99.23 |
I'm curious about his novel LAST REVEILLE. Anyone read it? | ||
| Stevebacon (Stevebacon) Username: Stevebacon Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 90.211.103.112 |
I've only read CREEPERS and THE TOTEM, and his collection BLACK EVENING, but I'd recommend them all. | ||
| Craig (Craig) Username: Craig Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 67.116.103.241 |
In what order would you rate these three, Steve?... I know that's not vitally important or anything. I'm just curious that way, and I would like to know. | ||
| Stevebacon (Stevebacon) Username: Stevebacon Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 90.211.103.112 |
First, I'd have BLACK EVENING (cos I'm a sucker for short stories). I'd go for The Totem next (short, fast-paced old fashioned horror novel) Thirdly, I'd read CREEPERS (which began with an intriguing premise, but actually rolled into a thrilling page-tuner). All great in different ways. |