Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror ~Chris Priestly
–2007
–239 pages, Bloomsbury Children’s Books
–5/5 stars
Short Story Sunday took a slightly different turn this week with my reading concentrating on one author in particular–Chris Priestley–and his delightful collection of stories within a story. I discovered this author upon visiting the blogs of those who signed up for the R.I.P. IV Challenge (thank you whoever you are) and immediately added it to my library queue. Reading Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror was like opening a portal back to my childhood and days spent reading ghost story collections with illustrations by Edward Gorey. I read this book cover to cover, occasionally reading a story aloud to my wife, and it was a thrilling way to spend a long Sunday afternoon.
Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror is an homage to the kind of gothic storytelling that I find most pleasurable. Chris Priestley hearkened back to his own childhood reading for inspiration for this collection of tales and the influences and references are plentiful. The name Montague is a nod to Montague Rhodes James (M.R. James) which ties this weekend’s reading experience in nicely with last weekend’s Short Story Sunday selections. Stories in this collection pay respect to stories by M.R. James, Edgar Allan Poe, and others.
In Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror, young Edgar takes a walk through an intimidating wood to visit the home of his uncle, Montague. In its description, Uncle Montague’s home calls to mind that of the Addams Family, or Norman Bates’ home in Psycho. It is gothic through and through, most certainly haunted, and the part it plays in the unfolding of this collection of short stories calls to mind the reasons I described liking Neil Gaiman’s Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Nameless House of the Night of Dread Desire so much in last week’s Short Story Sunday post. Upon arrival, Edgar is ushered into Uncle Montague’s study, filled with unsettling object d’art, each of which has a story of its own–a story that Edgar finds easy to coax out of Uncle Montague.
Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror is not merely a collection of unrelated short stories, however, for Edgar slowly but surely learns that he himself is a part of Uncle Montague’s tales, and while many of the stories told to Edgar are thrilling and chilling, none are more so than that of Uncle Montague himself. Among many other influences, this collection pays respects to Edward Gorey’s The Gashleycrumb Tinies. Each of the protagonists in these cautionary tales is a young person, which makes each story just that much more deliciously creepy. While this collection is written and published as a children’s book, I found it quite frightful at times. Whether or not you do would depend, I suspect, largely on whether you, like me, find these kind of old-fashioned stories to be eerie. I found The Demon Bench End to be particularly disturbing. Were it an episode of say, Rod Sterling’s Night Gallery, I’m not sure I would be able to sleep afterwards.
This is exactly the kind of collection that would have made my spine tingle as a child and I am happy to report that I had that same experience as an adult. Chris Priestley is an immensely talented writer who is able to capture the spirit of an earlier time in terrifying literature for young imaginations and makes it alive in a way that grabs the attention of the contemporary reader. There was never any question of my finishing the book yesterday. I just had to find out what was going on in Uncle Montague’s house and, like young Edgar, was hungry for the next story as well.
One thing I love about spooky short stories is that they make for such memorable read-aloud experiences to share with your family. What makes this book particularly pleasurable is that Chris Priestley also knows how pleasurable that is and uses it so skillfully as a plot device. If you are looking for some good family reading for the autumn season, provided your children are those who find scary stories a thrill and not a harbinger of bad dreams and sleepless nights, you could not go wrong in picking up this book.
David Roberts, whose illustrations are no doubt influenced by the aforementioned Edward Gorey, a particular favorite, adds such a wonderful dimension to the experience of reading this book. Each story has a small title illustration and is accompanied by a full page illustration somewhere within the story. Each drawing is so engaging that I couldn’t help but stare at them for great lengths, soaking in every detail. Roberts’ skillful illustrations make even wallpaper creepy! Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror, in its wonderfully crafted hardback form, reminds me of why I lament the move to electronic reading. From the cover and interior illustrations to the font choice to the smell of ink and paper, holding this book in my hand represents everything I love about reading in general, and particularly reading during this time of year.
If spooky houses and chilling tales and things that go bump in the night are your raison d’etre, then do not delay–make Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror a part of your autumn reading plans.
Earlier in the day I visited Chris Priestley’s Tales of Terror site, which is very creatively done, with spooky sounds and candelight and fun things to discover. It is a really well done website and I encourage you to visit.
I was hoping you might have found some interesting short stories to read this weekend and I’m not disappointed. What a great post. I feel sure I’ve seen this one in the children’s section of the library but, to tell the truth, I’m sorely tempted to just order it from Amazon as I have a feeling my whole family would love it. And as you said… that cover is wonderful!
This sounds like a read that I would definitely enjoy. I absolutely adore the cover of it. I don’t remember reading many ghost stories as a child, but I am certainly making up for it now.
Must. get. this. now. Oh no…but I started a book buying ban today 🙁 So freaking sad!!!
This cover just made me have a flashback to the John Bellairs’ books that I enjoyed tremendously as a child. Have you read them? I must go check the library website now, and get one to read for the RIP challenge:) My list keeps growing…and growing….
I’ve picked up this one so many times and resisted. You’re not helping! :p
This sounds lovely & the cover alone makes me want it. I’ll have to look for it at my next library visit.
What a fabulous cover!
Book buying ban be damned…I want this book!!!!!! Did you really need to make it sound so freakin’ irresistible?!!
Chris, Ana…help me…I’m afraid I’m going to cave…
Debi: The library Debi…remember the library… 😉
Mariel: Isn’t it though? I was drawn to that immediately.
Caitlin: There is a second collection, Tales of Terror from the Black Ship and a third collection, Tales of Terror from the Tunnel’s Mouth due out in Oct.
Bart: I can be a real jerk sometimes. 😉
Jessica: That is why I was drawn to them. Edward Gorey did the old John Bellairs covers. I remember those and some other ghost story collections with Gorey covers that I checked out from the library and read as a child.
Chris: Read my response to Debi! 😉
Vivienne: I hope you enjoy it if you get a chance to pick it up. It really was a great deal of fun.
Cath: I’m reading the second collection now, this time the stories are told by a mysterious pirate in a lonely inn, and it has been just as fun thus far. I definitely think this is one your family will have fun with.
I saw this one during a trip to a bookstore some time ago and noted it down. Definitely one I’ll have to get soon. *Love* the illustrations!
Sounds like a wonderful read for the kids and I. LOVE the cover! I’m off to the library website now to see if they have it. Thanks for the review!!!
This book looks like a ton of fun, and Edward Gorey was my first thought when I saw the cover!
As usual one more surprise brought to me via your blog. I’m always sure that you will supply something utterly different and you never disappoint. 🙂
Sounds like a Coraline experience for me. 🙂
Harry: It is a Coraline experience, to be sure. Good and creepy…not necessarily as upbeat though. 😉
Andi: It is a ton of fun, it really is. Someday you’ll be able to scare your own little bundle with just such stories. 🙂
Jeff: It is a fun family read…again, depending on your family’s tolerance for scary stories. You should pop over and read Debi’s post about her short story weekend.
Chelle: Do pick it up, I think you’ll enjoy it. And the interior illustrations are fantastic as well.
I’m really glad you enjoyed this one, it’s a huge favourite of mine as is Tales of Terror from the Black Ship. And a third volume comes out here later this year, sadly too late for your challenege or I’d have snapped it up as well.
The cover is creepy but cute! This book truly sounds (and looks) like ghoulish good fun. However, I wouldn’t dare read this aloud (or to myself) too close to bedtime.
Susan: Ah, that’s the very best time to read these stories. 😉
Bride: I did. Did you review it, or Black Ship? I probably saw it on your site then which prompted me to pick it up. If so, thanks! I’m almost finished with Black Ship as well.
I think it was The Black Ship you saw me review as I read it not long ago. I read Uncle Montagu for RIP III I think. Always glad to spread the word!
Bride: Thanks! I have about 40 pages and I’ll be done with Black Ship. The next book cannot come out too soon! 🙂
This sounds fabulous! Why haven’t I heard of this before? Thanks for letting me know about it. 🙂
This sounds like such a delightfully creepy book. I’m gonna have to add this to my tbr list!
Darla: I hadn’t either until I visited Bride’s site recently.
Olduvai: It is definitely delightfully creepy!!!
This sounds so good! And, I’d love to check out the illustrations – the cover certainly reminds me of Gorey!
Wicked! This sounds good for my appetite! 🙂
What a great book to read out loud to students during October! What fun. I think I will skip the Tales of Terror from the Black Ship as far as the kids are concerned, but I will definitely read it myself. I adore Edward Gorey, so these two books may be something I HAVE to own! Thanks a lot Carl – just when I was getting the budget under control!
I am still happy for summer, though I know you are itching for fall! The trees are just beginning to show some color here, so I guess your wish will come true soon. (And snow will be soon to follow!!)
Happy Autumn, anyway.;)
Thanks so much for posting about this book. It sounds perfect for my older girls who love scary spooky type stories. Sounds like a book they will actually enjoy me reading aloud to them.
Just placed a hold from my library on this book. Thanks.
I adore the cover and think I might just have to read this to my daughter (who is only seven but LOVES a good ghost story)! Thanks!!
Stephanie: If she does then this might just be right up her alley. But if she has nightmares, I don’t do late night babysitting. 😉
Deanne/ibeeeg: Great! They’ll love it and you’ll enjoy reading it to them. It was so fun to be able to read aloud sections to my wife.
Qugrainne: I won’t begrudge you your desire to hold on to summer a little bit longer…I’m in the autumn mood now regardless of temps…though I do long for true fall temps! It is a great book and would be fun to read aloud to a class.
Veens: It is yummy!!!
Iliana: The illustrations in this are even more Goreyesque. There was at least one that I believe is a purposeful homage to a Gorey image I’ve seen.
This sounds amazing and completely like one I’d pick up if I saw in a shop. I adore the cover – I have so many children’s ‘spooky’ collections with covers very similar. There’s usually something so haunting and beautiful about the tales inside. I’ll definitely be putting this on my wishlist. 🙂 Great review, Carl!
Ceri: It is excellent. I need to go back and collect the scary books with Edward Gorey covers that I loved as a child.
Hi just visiting from Vivienne’s serendipity site where she mentioned you had reviewed this book. A very good read by all accounts, I have it on order so it was interesting to read your views on it. Thanks for that.
Pettywitter: Great! I really hope you enjoy it. I really cannot wait for book three to come out!
Truely a creepy book. I was able to get it through an Interlibrary loan this past week and found it quite a pleasureable read. I didn’t read it to my kids because my kids do scare easily and I did find some of the tales quite creepy even for me. Wonderful art ( man o’ man it sure feels like Edward Gorey’s work ) and a GREAT book website. I highly recommend you check out the book’s website once you read the Tales.
I would only give it 4 out 5 stars due to my dissatisfaction with the ending. I still really dug the book I just thought the ending was too much of a downer for me as compared to the rest of the book.
I look forward to reading more by this author down the road. What a great talent!!!
i have read this book so many times and i still love it!
i am even doing a school project at the moment.
p.s. i like cake!!!!!!!
It is such a great book, isn’t it. Fun book for a school project.