Comments on: The Dollar Dreadful Family Library

The Dollar Dreadful Family Library

sarabeth — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 07:15:41 -0800

The Dollar Dreadful Family Library offers 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".

By: sarabeth

sarabeth — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 07:25:00 -0800

(It appears that full-text stories for download are coming soon, but abridged teasers are available.)

By: Pastabagel

Pastabagel — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 07:37:37 -0800

That Octavious Watt is a right bounder.

By: languagehat

languagehat — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:04:02 -0800

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!

By: languagehat

languagehat — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:04:32 -0800

Oh, and an excellent first post!

By: Alison

Alison — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:14:39 -0800

I'm disappointed that the storefront isn't functioning. I wanted to read more about the mystery solving dressmakers.

By: jquinby

jquinby — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:16:18 -0800

Anything that brings more Herman T. Zweibel-like-stuff into the world is all right by me.

By: elendil71

elendil71 — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:54:11 -0800

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.

By: sarabeth

sarabeth — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 09:37:44 -0800

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.