The irony of it is...

I've just now received from a Canadian bookseller what is very likely my final mail-order Gothic: Wyndspelle, by Aola Vandergriff:



That's an Ebay scan.

This is likely my last mail-order Gothic on the basis of my dislike of ordering books "on the blind." Of course with Absinthe and Gloomy Sunday we were able to see what Gothics she'd obtained and reviewed; at least 12 of them caught my interest and I placed orders.

The irony here is, if I recall correctly, Absinthe said "Wyndspelle" was her first Gothic and the one which started her off to acquiring and reading more. And it turns out this same novel is my last to receive via mail-order. Sure, just a coincidence but it's ... sort of ironic.

Prior to receiving "Wyndspelle" in the mail, I received the 2nd-to-final mail order Gothic: "Vengeance of the Cat Goddess" by Jennifer Stephens [Trixie's already given it an enthusiastic 4 Paws, on the basis of the cover art alone]:



That was scanned by Absinthe.

***

Yesterday my husband and I paid a visit to a nearby large border (US/Mexico) city. Sad to say the Gothic offerings there are nil. The city was impoverished for decades, and the dominant culture frowned upon "ladies of leisure" -- particularly taking time out to read. Many of them likely could not read nor speak English for that matter. It's another reminder of cultural differences.

It seems our little city 55 miles to the north is an oasis as Gothic novels go, for this region. We've had hundreds of northern retirees moving in, and I'm again certain it's these ladies cleaning out their packing boxes and filling the shelves [keep them coming!!].

Carnaby Curse by Daoma Winston [1967]

Found this Belmont Double Gothic last May, locally. Found the cover scan via:

http://people.uncw.edu/smithms/Belmont.html

That's a favorite cover art of mine. It captures the story perfectly.

I give the story 5 stars out of 5. :-) Carnaby Curse is beautifully written. It's definitely crafted in a more feminine style, with certain traditionally feminine elements to it; however, it's NOT weak -- neither is Megan Benson. Forgive me if it seems sexist, but I'm rather certain ladies 40+ (I'm 43) might instantly take to the story's overall aura.

Megan Benson is definitely a likeable character, imo. She's 24 and just returned to Carnaby House in "the cold hills of Connecticut" with her younger sister, Kristine, and cousins Terrence and Celia. Megan grew up in Carnaby House with Kristine and their cousins; it was not a happy childhood. The return to Carnaby House is not a happy one either; Megan should now be married to Rory and honeymooning on a sunny beach in Bermuda...but alas, Fate decreed it otherwise.

Megan begins to brood over what she's certain is a curse on her. As a younger woman she'd believed Carnaby House was cursed; but no, Megan's seeming ill-fated star had followed her far beyond the bounds and reaches of Carnaby House; the curse resided within her...didn't it?

The family and friend dynamic of this wonderful Gothic novella is different than most. That boosted its appeal for me.

As Megan continues grappling with depression and despondency against the haunting backdrop of the misty/foggy Connecticut hills, someone attempts to kill her...or it seems that way. Megan learns an unhappy and unsavory truth regarding her mother's youthful death. Is Megan tainted by her mother's tragic fate?

Or IS someone trying to kill her? If so, why?

Liam arrives on the scene. He's instantly attracted to Megan, who instantly rejects any overtures. Megan soon acquires another would-be suitor, and twice rejects that man's marriage proposals. Into this heady mix comes Celia's mature and confident flirting with Liam, and young Kristine's jealous awkwardness.

It's a well-balanced, nicely paced Gothic with just the right amount of haunting qualities. The ending unfolds smoothly and is satisfyingly surprising.

The cast of characters as I *loosely* visualized them:

Megan Benson: Bridget Fonda [age 24]
Kristine Benson: Sharon Tate [age 17]
Terrence Parr: Tall, handsome, blonde as described [age 26].
Celia Parr: Sharon Stone [age 25]
Liam: Tall, dark, handsome as described [age 30]
Budgie: Reta Shaw [age 62]
Clyde: As described [age 65]

Trixie gives it 1 Paw: No mention of nor reference to a cat. ;-p

Gloomy Sunday update

It's been nearly 3 weeks since I sent a snail-mail greeting to Absinthe's street address (again, I won't give it out to anyone so please don't write and ask). There's been no reply.

I doubt this post is premature. It seems a certainty that Absinthe's "Gloomy Sunday" blog is permanently gone. Knowing what I do of internet forums, once a forum is deleted it -IS- deleted. I have no idea what might have happened and it's pointless to speculate. This has caused me a lot of concern and trepidation, despite the fact that we were still relative strangers and I knew only perhaps 5 personal items about Absinthe. I can't help wondering if something very bad has happened to Absinthe or in her life. :-(

2008 has been a weird and trying year as friends and acquaintances go; it's contained shockingly sudden upheavals and losses (though since November there has been a tremendous and equally unexpected GAIN of a group of real-life friends; a happy reunion), and I'm sad (and extremely chagrined) to say Absinthe and Gloomy Sunday's disappearance has been most shocking of all, despite the online nature of it all.

I truly and 100% genuinely do miss Absinthe and "Gloomy Sunday" -- it was wonderful reading Absinthe's reviews, checking out the cover art and getting a notion of what GR novels are in circulation in her area.

Guess you're stuck with me now. Don't know what else to say except my best thoughts and wishes to Absinthe...

Treats, unexpected surprises & a question...

Stopped by the local used bookstore after doing a bit of banking. I picked up four Gothics, one of which is my next-to-read: It's set in Ireland and includes a Glossary in the back, and a RECIPE for Irish Green or Erin Sauce. Cool! B-) And it has awesome cover art; can't wait to review and share the cover art -- including a scan of the novel's back -- with you!

I have a question: Does anyone recall Absinthe of Gloomy Sunday mentioning "pocket edition" Gothic mini-novels? I've tried locating her post via Google Cached and cannot find it. Would like to pick up some of those (none available locally apparently; I've not yet encountered one) and need a bit of info, particularly the *publisher.* Thanks in advance for any input/direction.

Currently I'm reading a novel out of a Belmont Double Gothic by Daoma Winston. So far so very good, and will review it ASAP. Happy Holidays to all! :-)

Amber Twilight by Miriam Lynch [1967]

One of the (likely) rare times I'll be reviewing 2 stories in 1 day. Finished "Amber Twilight" by Miriam Lynch just an hour ago; read it within a day. This cover art was found via http://gothicnovellover.com, which Barrymore notified me of Saturday. I've had a previous cover scan [obtained via Fantasticfiction.co.uk], but this one is much sharper.

And as the back cover got cut off via E-Blogger Image, here's the link:

http://gothicnovellover.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=2366

This story gets 5 stars out of 5 - and then some. It is FANTASTIC. :-) It's a 92-page stick of dynamite which grabs you from the first page and keeps you turning. All elements of excellent storytelling are here, imo, especially balance, pacing and surprises.

Susan Leyton is a 23-year-old secretary who is also a shutterbug. She's in-between romances, again enjoying the single life, and decides one lazy and very snowy Saturday morning to drive beyond the town limits to photograph Blackhall.

Blackhall was owned by wealthy elitist Nathan Black in the late 1800's. He and his wife esconced themselves there, never bothering with "the peasantry" nearby. A solitary daughter was born to the Blacks, who went on to fame and fortune in Hollywood.

Susan is forced to recall this bit of history later -- after she's been conked in the head while focusing the camera preparing to take a couple of shots [she's hoping to enter and win an amateur photography contest with Blackhall as subject] and waking up in a strange room. LOCKED into the room, actually.

Her two known captors are a hostile older woman and a malicious dwarf. A hateful ragged voice booms menacingly through the corridors, thanks to a speaker/amplifier system. No electricity: Just row upon row and many clusters of candles, all of which give the ghastly mansion its continual eerie amber-twilight ambience.

Susan, of course, seeks escape. She has a friend in the enemy camp, who hides her until she can be safely released. But Susan wonders why her new-found friend can't simply stand up for her and order her release. She's left to her doubts and fears overnight, in the only room with electricity: The tower cupola. There she discovers a large splotch of what seems dried blood, dozens of framed photos of Cecily Sinclair [aka Margaret Black] in her Hollywood glory days, pieces of old furniture. Then a blizzard whips up, further delaying Susan's escape.

All the hostilities and furies of Blackhall ultimately culminate in the cupola.

Well crafted and super-enjoyable! I especially enjoyed all the wintry elements in the story, including aspects of blizzards I'd somewhat forgotten in the many years I've been away from Iowa.

The cast of characters as I visualized them:

Susan Leyton: Lauren Holly [age 23]
Richard Black: Don Briscoe [age 28]
Roxie: Ellen Corby [age 66]
Sidney: N/A
Cecily: N/A
Mickey: As described.

Trixie gives the story 1 Paw: No mention of cats or anything cat-like. Who's the species-ist, hmmmm?? ;-)

Cover Art: Face in the Pond [Clarissa Ross]

Thanks to Barrymore, who shared http://gothicnovellover.com/gallery/main.php, I was able to obtain a cover scan of this lovely novel which I reviewed in early November. Clarissa Ross was a pseudonym for W.E.D. Ross. I love this cover art and am glad it includes the back of the novel as well.

Here's the LARGE version:

http://gothicnovellover.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1112

Sorry, Link feature never works for me.

Mistress of Ravenstone by Monica Heath [1973]

Usually I'm offline Mondays, but today's an exception; I finished this novel last evening [scan obtained from Barrymore -- *thanks*!] and I also accidentally left one of my treasured Belmont Double Gothics at a restaurant this a.m.! :-( That Belmont DG is "Amber Twilight" by Miriam Lynch & "Portrait of Terror" by Paula Minton [scan of this cover posted in November, IIRC]. Fortunately the restaurant owner and her waitress are honest; safekept the book for me and instantly returned it. Belmont DG's are rare and this one's in mint condition; NEVER again is it leaving the house. Can't believe I did that, but all's well that ends well. :-\

As for "Mistress of Ravenstone": I'm sorry to say it rates only 3 stars on a scale of 1 - 5. And I dislike being critical of others' published work. The story opens with Lorraine, who's recently moved to San Francisco after having had her heart broken by a former fiancee in her small California hometown. On a lonely day she decides to visit the Palace of Fine Arts and there meets Nicholas Laughlin, who is giving a tour. They strike up a whirlwind romance [despite his preoccupation with an alleged family curse], soon marry. Nick's nasty nit of a sister, Maggie, throws a party "in honor" of Nick and Lorraine, but it's evident she hates Lorraine. Enter Felicia, Nick's old flame -- an older woman who is deeply mystical and involved in the occult; and Radi, Felicia's personal "swami". Lorraine overhears Maggie telling Sandy [a friend] of all the terrible and premature deaths Nick's previous girlfriends have suffered; is it the lingering Laughlin curse? The Laughlins are Americans for generations, but the ancestral castle remains; it's reclaimed by Nick's parents and the ghost of a beheaded Laughlin wife centuries ago is said to have cursed the castle and family, and continues to haunt the castle.

Lorraine and Nick go on a brief hectic honeymoon. An anonymous letter arrives for Nick, who becomes aggitated by it. Lorraine discovers the letter; it's regarding the alleged family curse, warning the Laughlins away from Ireland. Nick ignores it; they arrive at the castle to inhabit and renovate it.

Into this mix comes Felicia, Maggie, Radi...and Breasel, a local colorful Irish character, young and handsome, who's said to have been "fairy struck" as an infant: An alleged changeling, a sickly one of the Faery Folk who now lives as a human.

I found a certain decision by Nick's parents unbelievable; if good and worthy in-laws, they wouldn't dream of subjecting Lorraine -- their son's new bride -- to such galling inconveniences. Elements in the story are repeated and repeated, as though for padding; as if the author couldn't come up with fresh material or think up interesting twists/turns. Most sadly, Lorraine and Nick -- despite being THE main characters -- are boring. Their personalities aren't fleshed out; I felt apathetic towards both. The only interesting characters are Felicia and Breasel. The author does have one character killed off; the wrong one, imo. And the ending seems so rushed.

Trixie gives it 2 Paws: "Cat-like" is mentioned.

Of course this is just a subjective opinion. Others might find the book entertaining. I was in a hurry to finish it; that's how unsatisfied I was.