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Brian J. Showers, Editor
The Green Book: Writings on Irish Gothic, Supernatural and Fantastic Literature
Issue 4, Samhaim 2014
The Swan River Press
Ireland Trade Paperback
ISSN 2009-6089
Publication Date: 10-01-2014
104 Pages ; 13 €
Date Reviewed: 10-27-2014
Reviewed by: Rick Kleffel © 2014
Index:
Non-Fiction
Celebrating the bicentennial of J. S. LeFanu in style, 'The Green Book' Issue four is another wonderful exploration of a weird little corner of literature, and a great example of how careful editing can make even the most obscure subject fascinating and entertaining beyond all expectations.
Showers stated goal is right there in the title; and even if you think, well, that's a little specialized for me, you might find yourself very pleasantly surprised. LeFanu is the focus here, in three new articles, and three recollections of past work on the author. One article here collects contemporary reviews of LeFanu's foundational novel 'Uncle Silas'; Showers also offers both M. R James' and Christine Langford's introductions to the novel.
Roger Dobson gets down to the details of LeFanu's vampire novel 'Carmilla,' in "The Scarlet and the Black, A curiosity in 'Carmilla.'" Film historian David Skal looks at stage productions of the novel in a wildly entertaining piece, "The Lady Who Munched: How Carmilla Stormed the Stage."
Elsewhere in the issue, Albert Power continues his study in genre "Towards An Irish Gothic." One hopes to see these collected in a single volume down the line. And Megan Kuster asks "Who's Afraid of 'The Demon Lover'? Ireland and the Supernatural in Elizabeth Bowen's Short Fiction." Her answer is engaging and has the desired effect of adding yet another writer to one's ever-growing queue. At least she's pointing to short stories!
Showers clearly has an eclectic bent, but he brings to it a focus on enjoyable reading about weird and obscure writing. The audience for this little journal may seem academic, but open The Green Book and you'll find yourself among those academics whether or not you thought it to be possible.
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Review Archive
All Reviews alphabetized by author.
General Fiction
Non-Genre, general fiction and literature.
Horror
Supernatural fiction, supernatural horror and non-supernatural horror.
Science Fiction
Science fiction, science fantasy, speculative fiction, alternate history.
Fantasy
Fantasy, surrealism and magic realism.
Mystery
Crime, thrillers, mystery, suspense.
Non-Fiction
Non-Fiction, True Crime, Forteana, Reference.
Poetry
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