When the chairman introduced the guest speaker as a former illegal alien, I got up from my chair and yelled, “What’s the matter, no jobs on Mars?” When no one laughed, I was real embarrassed. I don’t think people should make you feel that way.
~Jack Handy
For my second book for the R.I.P. II Challenge I chose Annette Curtis Klause’s NY Times bestselling book, Blood and Chocolate. Having really enjoyed the film, despite its flaws, I was interested in seeing just how different the story was in its original novel form. My motivation for reading this increased after the intensely satisfying experience I had with Klause’s latest novel, Freaks. With Freaks she proved herself a writer worth reading and thus I picked up Blood and Chocolate with very little trepidation.
I will forewarn you: if you have not seen the film or read the book and have intentions of experiencing either from an unspoiled viewpoint, you may want to skip the rest of this review as this is a case where I really cannot talk about either without giving away some plot points.
Continue reading Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause
UPDATED AT THE END OF POST: 8/27/07
Baltimore, or The Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire is an illustrated novel by Hellboy creator Mike Mignola and author Christopher Golden. The arrival of the Diamond exclusive edition in the comic shop last Wednesday (the standard edition doesn’t arrive in stores until August 28th) helped pave the way for my desire to open R.I.P. II just a bit early. There was no way that I was going to pass up the opportunity to dive right into this book.
Continue reading Baltimore, or The Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire
The process of delving into the black abyss is to me the keenest form of fascination…
~H.P. Lovecraft (In a letter to Frank Belknap Long, February 27 1931)
As I sit pensively, fingers poised above the black keys of a dusty keyboard, it seems nature has pronounced its blessing on today’s venture. Grey skies pouring forth driving rains belie the fact that it remains the dead of summer. The chill of air conditioning set for much warmer temperatures and the overcast sky conspire to convince me that it is indeed that time of year again. Time for gothic tales and things that go bump in the night.
(tampered with Dave McKean image)
I apologize to the faithful for another Friday without a Friday Favorite. Work is life has been the theme around here lately. Sorry.
But there is good news, Monday brings R.I.P. II news! Have a wonderful weekend, think creepy thoughts, and tune in Monday morning!