"The October Country" was something of a reissue of Bradbury's first short story collection, "Dark Carnival", from the esteemed publisher Arkham House. Bradbury had previously published many of the stories in "Weird Tales", which established his horror writing credentials.
Man, that was a great breakdown. I never knew Bradbury was so imaginative. I can see how such a story rubbed off on you! It's got DOOM all over it!
One short story that blew my brains off was Stanislaw Lem's "The Mask." It didn't directly influence me-that would be Borges and Barthelme--but it impressed the hell out of me.
I'll have to read it! I'm a huge Solaris fan. And, yes, Bradbury's imagination was off the charts. He gets wild. Definitely my biggest literary inspiration.
Awesome piece. Bradbury fans ASSEMBLE! How your “brain was bleeding?” That was Dylan in Hollis Brown. I agree-this story was special and I’m looking forward to more. Love your discussion of Bradbury’s craft. Very rewarding. The story also reminds me of Junji Ito’s work, another artist who does not shy away from heaping scoops of weird. And I also agree that nothing more should be added to the specialist, for the same reason we should NOT be able to see “WHAT’S IN THE BOX??” at the end of 7. Great stuff. Thanks for this.
"The October Country" was something of a reissue of Bradbury's first short story collection, "Dark Carnival", from the esteemed publisher Arkham House. Bradbury had previously published many of the stories in "Weird Tales", which established his horror writing credentials.
There was a recent reprinting of "Dark Carnival" that I still need to pick up. It was long out of print.
Yeah- copies of the original book can go for thousands!
Looking forward to the next post!
Thanks, Mark! Which reminds me, I have some catching up to do on your posts.
Man, that was a great breakdown. I never knew Bradbury was so imaginative. I can see how such a story rubbed off on you! It's got DOOM all over it!
One short story that blew my brains off was Stanislaw Lem's "The Mask." It didn't directly influence me-that would be Borges and Barthelme--but it impressed the hell out of me.
I'll have to read it! I'm a huge Solaris fan. And, yes, Bradbury's imagination was off the charts. He gets wild. Definitely my biggest literary inspiration.
I’m very curious about Lem. I’m guessing you would recommend him?
I've only read a handful of his tales, but I'd love to read more. I think he's great.
Wildly inventive. A Perfect Vacuum is s collection of fake book reviews.
Sounds like my kind of stuff! 👍🏼
😆
I have not read October Country in at least 40 years. I think it's time for a re-read.
It absolutely is. Enjoy!
"and instructs him to return only once he’s ready to fully trust him." Let the weirds fully commence!
Great recommendation and analysis of Bradbury's work, and to hear what drew you to yours.
Thanks, Nico! 🙃
Excellent review! I love thinking about my skeleton. :)
Thanks, Jess! Glad to know it isn't haunting you! 😆
I, too, love Bradbury. This was a delightful dissection (see what I did there? 😉) of Skeleton. I enjoyed this thoroughly!
Thanks, Liz! I see what you did there! 😆
Awesome piece. Bradbury fans ASSEMBLE! How your “brain was bleeding?” That was Dylan in Hollis Brown. I agree-this story was special and I’m looking forward to more. Love your discussion of Bradbury’s craft. Very rewarding. The story also reminds me of Junji Ito’s work, another artist who does not shy away from heaping scoops of weird. And I also agree that nothing more should be added to the specialist, for the same reason we should NOT be able to see “WHAT’S IN THE BOX??” at the end of 7. Great stuff. Thanks for this.
Junji Ito is another major influence of mine! Give me all the weird. Have you ever read Kobo Abe?
No, but I guess I’ll have to now!
He was a Japanese surrealist who was deeply inspired by Kafka. His books are all amazing. Another huge influence on me.
Ooh!! That sounds juicy! Though if you had said Rick Astley was inspired by Kafka I might have said the same thing. Kafka good.
Now I have to read this book!
You'll love it. 🙂
I think about The Next in Line a lot.
I read this collection for the first time last year. ❤️ Looking forward to the next post!
Thanks, Sean! The next post should be up in the next few days. 👀