The Dollar Dreadful Family Library

January 23, 2009 7:15 AM

The Dollar Dreadful Family Libraryoffers gripping tales of scientific adventures in matrimony, mysterious Appalachian woodsmen, macabre travels in the ether, exotic travels in distant lands, itinerant prospectors, and cunning detectives who pose as genteel dressmakers. Assorted amusements are offered in the form of downloadable PDF booklets, perfect leisure literature for "the distinguished reader or the particularly wealthy dunder-head".
posted by sarabeth (8 comments total)

(It appears that full-text stories for download are coming soon, but abridged teasers are available.)
posted by sarabeth at 7:25 AM on January 23

That Octavious Watt is a right bounder.
posted by Pastabagel at 7:37 AM on January 23

Very enjoyable! I was going to complain about what seemed to me the anachronistic use of "goodies," but then I checked the OED and found:

1756 B. FRANKLIN Lett. Wks. 1887 II. 454 They.. present their hearty respects to you for the goodies.
1853 KANE Grinnell Exp. xxxi. (1856) 268 ‘Goodies’ we had galore [at Christmas].

Well done, chaps!
posted by languagehat at 8:04 AM on January 23

Oh, and an excellent first post!
posted by languagehat at 8:04 AM on January 23

I'm disappointed that the storefront isn't functioning. I wanted to read more about the mystery solving dressmakers.
posted by Alison at 8:14 AM on January 23 [1 favorite]

Anything that brings more Herman T. Zweibel-like-stuff into the world is all right by me.
posted by jquinby at 8:16 AM on January 23 [1 favorite]

Dollar Dreadfuls? Must be inflation. In the interest of surviving our declining economy, I present what must certainly be the classic of PENNY Dreadfuls - for FREE!

Varney the Vampyre.

Enjoy. Or at least try to. If you can make it past the first few pages.
posted by elendil71 at 8:54 AM on January 23

languagehat: Thank you very much! (And thank you for addressing that nuance; I admit to having wondered the same thing re: the authenticity of "goodies".)

Alison: I know. I am intrigued, and I want to read more!

Also, for the record, the trials and tribulations of Herman T. Zweibel may have just made my day. Thanks.
posted by sarabeth at 9:37 AM on January 23