Books I Read in March 2022

 “If he be Mr. Hyde,” he had thought, “I shall be Mr. Seek.” — Robert Louis Stevenson, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde 

I read six books this month. Five paperbacks and one on Kindle.

On Tyranny: Twenty Lesson from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder (2017)

This book by historian Timothy Snyder consists of lessons from the 20th century on how to defend democracy against authoritarianism and fascism. I found the lessons insightful and worthwhile. It motivated me to read more about European history, specifically about Russia and Ukraine, as well as fiction by Russian and Ukrainian authors. I wrote a full review in my previous blog post here: 

We Learn by Writing: On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder

American Primitive by Mary Oliver (1983)

Out of the little poetry I’ve read so far, Mary Oliver is my favorite. Most of the poems in American Primitive are about nature, animals, and the passing of seasons. Oliver won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for this volume.

The Mammoth Book of Folk Horror edited by Stephen Jones (2021)

This is a collection of folk horror, a subgenre of horror which often, but not always, has elements of folklore. Other elements usually included are rural settings, isolation, the power of nature, and local beliefs. Overall, this is a good mix of old and newer stories. As with most anthologies I liked some stories more than others. 

Favorite stories:

Jenny Greenteeth by Alison Littlewood

The Offering by Michael Marshall Smith 

Sticks by Karl Edward Wagner 

Gravedirt Mouth by Maura McHugh

Wyfa Medj by Storm Constantine 

The Gypsies in the Wood by Kim Newman 

The last story “The Gypsies of the Wood” by Kim Newman was a little different from the others, and not just because it’s a novella instead of a short story. 

A member of a group called the Diogenes Club is called in to investigate mysterious happenings in a village. In this story the Diogenes Club is a secret wing of the British government which investigates supernatural threats. It’s based on the gentlemen’s club of the same name which first appeared in the Sherlock Holmes story “The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter.” 

While this story has elements of folk horror, it also has elements of fantasy, mystery, and adventure. I like the writing style a lot. Every character is interesting, and the dialogue is sharp, witty, with a touch of humor once in a while. It made for a real page turner. I’ll be seeking out more of Kim Newman’s work. 

Frantic by Noel Calef (1958)

This is a French crime noir novel from 1956.  A man commits what he believes is the perfect crime but then gets trapped in an elevator. After an exciting beginning. things slow down a little as various groups of people are introduced. Then the story picks up as events begin to unfold and start coming together. The chapters are short and move from character to character. The story is moody, and things go from dark to darker. I thought the ending was very well done. I grew to care for a secondary character that I had absolutely no interest in when first introduced. 

I like that Black Gat Books used the original cover art by Mitchell Hooks and that Hooks incorporated his signature into the art as graffiti on the wall. You can see his name just under the figure’s elbow. 

The book was adapted into the 1961 French crime film Elevator to the Gallows using the book’s original title. 

Carmilla by Joseph Le Fanu (1872)

This gothic novella about a vampire was written 26 years before Dracula. The story is narrated by Laura, a young woman who lives in a large manor with her father and a few servants. Nearby is a deserted village and the ruins of a castle. 

After a carriage accident, a mysterious young woman named Carmilla stays at the manor to recover. Then strange things begin happening. Laura finds herself attracted to Carmilla but she is repulsed as well. The story is eerie, atmospheric, and it moves along quickly. 

The edition I read was edited by Carmen Maria Machado. It includes an introduction by her as well as footnotes. I’m glad I read the introduction after reading the novella, as it goes over the story in detail and includes a lot of fascinating information about its origins. 

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson (1886)

This classic gothic novella has been on my to-read list for a long time. Dr. Jekyll’s association with sinister Edward Hyde leads to the hunt for a killer in fog shrouded London. Even knowing the final revelation, it made for an interesting and entertaining read. 

I have mixed feelings about the writing style. While there were some great lines I thought some parts were too wordy. That didn’t stop me from enjoying the story though. It’s an excellent exploration of duality and the struggle between good and evil. 

On to April.