Jess Nevins

A book that covers the history and evolution of the horror genre in literature from the 19th century to the present day. The book examines the various trends, movements, subgenres, and influences that shaped horror fiction in different regions and periods, as well as the major authors and works that defined the genre. The book also explores the social, cultural, and political contexts that influenced horror fiction, and how horror fiction responded to the changing times and events. The book is divided into three parts: the Golden Age of Horror (1901-1939), the Silver Age of Horror (1940-1979), and the Modern Age of Horror. Each part covers the main developments and characteristics of horror fiction in that era, as well as the diversity and innovation of horror writers from various backgrounds, countries, and media. The book is a comprehensive and critical survey of horror fiction that aims to provide a deeper understanding of the genre and its impact on literature and culture.

Lots of new books added to the pile for me, especially things I passed on before form the Golden and Silver age of horror. The coverage of the modern era seemed a bit rushed and his international author spotlight could have used a bit of curation, lots of interesting sounding works but no translations.… (altro)

FYI REVIEW: This anthology contains the following short stories which have very little to do with WWI except to define the period in which they were written. Each story includes excellent biographies of these largely forgotten writers and provide springboards for seeking out more of their works.
-Introduction: Neglected Masters by Jess Nevins
-The Wings of Horus by Algernon Blackwood
-Laura by Saki
-The Place of Pain by M. P. Shiel
-The Three Sisters by W. W. Jacobs
-An Episode of Cathedral History by M. R. James
-The Pavilion by E. Nesbit
-Not on the Passenger List by Barry Pain
-The Liqueur Glass by Phyllis Bottome
-The Pin-Prick by May Sinclair
-Thirteen at Table by Lord Dunsany
-The Bird by Thomas Burke
-Enoch Soames by Max Beerbohm
-The Ghoul by Sir Hugh Clifford
-Powers of the Air by J. D. Beresford
-Old Fags by Stacy Aumonier
-The Separate Room by Ethel Colburn Mayne
-The King Waits by Clemence Dane… (altro)

For anyone who enjoys the pulp adventures of the first half of the 20th century, such as Doc Savage or the Shadow, this is a must read. Those who love the more modern versions of such stories - like Alan Moore’s “Tom Strong” or “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” - will also be delighted.

Although things took a bit to get going, due to the unique structure of this book, the further you read the more engrossing and fully realized this world and its inhabitants are. I would absolutely love to see more adventures in this playground, either by Nevins or other authors.… (altro)

For a series which has as many characters as Fables, it is almost perative to have an encyclopedia to keep them all straight. What I enjoyed about this book is that it gives a brief summary of where the characters first appeared in the real world fairytales in comparison to who they are in the Fables Universe. I'll definitely have to go and find some copies of the stories that I'm not familiar with, so this book gives me some good starting places.

I didn't like the layout 100% though, simply because many of the full-page illustrations were not on the facing page of the character descriptions. They would have been better served, I think, with small images for each of the characters alongside their descriptions instead of only providing pictures for the most popular characters.… (altro)