The year is 1954, a returning army veteran attempting to reconcile with his estranged father (They fell out over the young man's decision to join the army as his father felt he was wrong to fight for the interests of a country that was still denying them so many of their civil liberties.) In order to find his father Atticus Turner goes off on a road trip that will take him into the dark territories of Lovecraft country. And while there are certainly monsters to be found there he and his friends must confront the equally terrifying monster that is race prejudice. It is a gripping read from beginning to end with believable and relatable characters and horrors both real and imagined.
The King In Yellow is a collection of short stories, interconnected and woven about a mysterious and forbidden play which induces madness in its viewers. To anyone coming to this book for the first time The King In Yellow could well serve as a gateway drug a life of weird fiction. The doors of perception once opened never quite close again. This work by Robert W Chambers has influenced writers of different generations and genres, most powerfully recently in the first season of true Detective. Its dark stuff, its a dark time of year.
Just about one of my favourite stories from my favourite show, classic era or new. Talons Of Weng Chiang has so much to recommend it. Ancient Chinese Gods, killer homunculus, giant rats in the sewers of London and Leela proudly declaring she is no lady. Terrance dicks did a fantastic job of adapting this epic story into such a slim edition of a book. Very much rooted in the tradition of Sax rohmer and the pulp stories of that era, it is a perfect read for this time of year and a reminder of Tom Baker's Doctor in his pomp. It was also the story which introduced me to the characters Jago and Litefoot, whos series from Big Finish Audios is for me their Jewel In The Crown.
Best Of The Season to you, old chap.
