The lair of the white worm and other horror fiction by Stoker

[Lobolover]

Okay,finished "The lair of the whit worm" yesterday-the thing was realy good, though it had theese faults to me-

One: speaking of the most impossible normally

Two: sugesting a horrid solution, far too fantastical for rational (read:skeptical) belief in what chapter 8 of 28

Three:romance and somewhat being soap operatic

Four:stylistic weirdness of speech in certain parts

However,the last chapter realy was a change for the better and it made the whole book worth it,when combined with all the good moments throughout

What do you think?

Also,has anyone here read Stoker's fantastical "The invisible giant"?Its quite a good litle tale.

Also-im planing to read "Jewel of the seven stars"-without spoiling,whats your opinion on it ?

 

[j d worthington]

I found the latter to be a bit more to my taste than LWW; and it certainly had some fascinating concepts. But Stoker in general is one I have trouble "connecting with", much as I do a fair amount of H. G. Wells (oddly enough). I can respect, I can even hold in high regard in many ways... but I find that most of his work leaves me feeling let down.

LWW itself... I'd agree with HPL on this one, too. A wonderful concept, but the writing itself is often clumsy to the point of amateurishness, which quite spoiled much of the effect where I was concerned....

 

[Lobolover]

Hmm,yes-especialy when the spoil the human monstrosity in chapter eight (of TWENTY eight),plus I think it couldve been cut down-down the chapters from "The kite" onwards were very interesting,but god-did you have the same trouble with all the racism?I was actualy glad when the black guy died,so that
I wouldnt have to hear it any more (listened to the majority at Librivox)

By later-do you mean "Jewel of the seven stars" or "The invisible giant" ?

 

[j d worthington]

Ah.... on "the latter"... I was referring to Jewel; I've not read "The Invisible Giant", I'm afraid....

On the racism... It's been so long ago, I don't recall how I felt about that aspect; but so many writers of the period showed such tendencies, that I'm usually able to see it in historical perspective. Such comments still seem -- to put it extremely mildly -- in poor taste, but the fact is this was simply the way the majority of people throughout history felt about those not of their own ethnic group; nor was there anything considered particularly heinous in such views, generally speaking, until well into the twentieth century....

 

[Lobolover]

The "giant" is a short litle fantastic tale I fully endorse .

 

[BAYLOR]

Lair seems to be the best remembered of his other books.

 

[Randy M.]

I haven't read the novel, but I've seen the movie version (same title) starring Amanda Donohoe, Richard E. Grant and Hugh Grant, and directed by Ken Russell who was known for going over the top as often and as far as possible.

Good, cheesy fun.


Randy M.

 

[BAYLOR]

I haven't read the novel, but I've seen the movie version (same title) starring Amanda Donohoe, Richard E. Grant and Hugh Grant, and directed by Ken Russell who was known for going over the top as often and as far as possible.

Good, cheesy fun.


Randy M.

The Jewel of the Seven Stars was made into a film in 1980 The Awakening staring Charlton Heston and Susannah York . It's bad film but it's fun to watch.

 

[j d worthington]

I haven't read the novel, but I've seen the movie version (same title) starring Amanda Donohoe, Richard E. Grant and Hugh Grant, and directed by Ken Russell who was known for going over the top as often and as far as possible.

Good, cheesy fun.


Randy M.

Have you ever seen his film Gothic? They were released fairly close together, and it seemed to me at the time (and still does, for that matter, though that may be because I'm missing some other information) that he was finding himself fascinated with the Gothic material and decided to take a (more-or-less) serious view (Gothic) followed by a send-up of the same sort of material (Lair of the White Worm). I've got to admit that the former is my favorite of the two, but both are certainly worth watching....

 

[Randy M.]

I did, J. D. Years ago, though, and I recall enjoying the over-the-top quality of it even though I don't recall much else. I've seen Lair... more recently (though not all that recently) so have a somewhat better memory of it. But, yes, both are worth a viewing.

Randy M.

 

[BAYLOR]

I thinking the film that they did years back gave this book a bit more notoriety.