MetaFilter posts tagged with horror and literature

Angels and Authors

winna — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:21:15 -0800

The British Expeditionary Force first faced the German troops at the Battle of Mons on August 23rd of 1914. The British forces accounted well for themselves, despite being heavily outnumbered. This miraculous victory was due to the aid of shining angelic figures which held the Germans back during the retreat, according to numerous accounts of those who saw the event. There is just one problem with this wonderful story. It was made up. The legend arose from a work of fiction written shortly after the battle by the Welsh author of fantasy Arthur Machen. Machen's work deals largely with the idea that the world we inhabit overlays a more vivid, dangerous and vital one which human beings confront at their peril. Particularly celebrated is his short story 'The White People', ranked by Lovecraft with Algernon Blackwood's 'The Willows' (previously, scroll down) as one of the best weird stories ever written. My personal favorite, though, is The Hill of Dreams.

Quoth the Raven, Baltimore!?!

Artw — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 11:12:01 -0800

Today marks the 200th birthday of Edgar Alan Poe, and as happens every year the mysterious Poe Toaster marked the date by placing three red roses and a half-filled bottle of cognac at his Baltimore grave. The identity of the toaster isn't the only question surrounding Poe - his presence in Baltimore and the circumstances of his death remain a mystery. Some speculate that he may have had rabies, others that he may have been a victim of cooping. And while Baltimore embarks on a year long celebration of Poe some argue that his body shouldn't be there at all.

Invisible and Redoubtable Beings

Iridic — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 12:26:12 -0800

"The Great God Pan," by Arthur Machen. "The Beckoning Fair One," by Oliver Onions. "Green Tea," by J. Sheridan LeFanu. "The Boarded Window," by Ambrose Bierce. "The Horla," by Guy de Maupassant.

"He said he'd come like a lion, with wings on..."

Iridic — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 21:03:44 -0800

Here are four classic short stories by John Collier in four different forms: the original text of his famous "Thus I Refute Beelzy"; a 1947 radio script for "Evening Primrose"; a radio version of "Back for Christmas", starring Peter Lorre; and Patton Oswalt's interpretation of "The Chaser."

The Eldritch Dark: The Sanctum of Clark Ashton Smith

mediareport — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 21:05:37 -0800

The Eldritch Dark. No, not about Mr. Lovecraft, but a sprawling site dedicated to Clark Ashton Smith, a friend and frequent correspondent. Along with Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard, Smith is an early contributor to Weird Tales whose stories stand the test of time (his work directly inspired Ray Bradbury and Harlan Ellison). He thought of himself primarily as a poet.

FLA FUR BIS FLE

Iridic — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 18:23:52 -0800

"Oh, Whistle, And I'll Come to You, My Lad," "Casting the Runes," and other stories by M.R. James, the master of the ghost story.

Dracula, Blogged

LeeJay — Thu, 26 May 2005 00:04:33 -0800

Dracula Blogged: Bram Stoker's vampire novel, published by its own calendar. According to the site description:

Individual pieces of the novel will appear on the calendar dates indicated in the text, starting with Jonathan Harker's May 3rd Bistriz journal entry, and finishing up with November 6 and the final Note.

Be sure to check the comments, which are full of interesting tidbits about the novel, Stoker, Transylvania and historical accuracy (or innacuracy, as the case may be).