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alexraphael's review against another edition
5.0
Dark and so sophisticatedly layered. Just remarkable how imbricated in history and other texts this collection is. Schwob’s writing is haunting; no surprise he is well documented as being of major literary inspiration to so many prolific writers that have followed.
jshusteval's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
hyacinth_girl's review
3.0
I honestly only read this for the title story, which I thought was the best one of the collection. There were a few others that were compelling, disturbing, and creepy. Overall, a good collection of short stories.
theartolater's review against another edition
4.0
A collection of older weird short stories translated from French, they’re impressive in how modern they feel in spite of their age. The most interesting thing to me was how abrupt the stories ended in this one – where I’m used to a more drawn-out narrative, many of these simply come to a logical conclusion and we move on. It was a nice addition to already-unsettling stories.
This is worth a look, especially if you’re as interested in the evolution of the weird branch of horror fiction as I am.
This is worth a look, especially if you’re as interested in the evolution of the weird branch of horror fiction as I am.
areaxbiologist's review
4.0
Schwob’s descriptions in The Fat Man make the fable’s structure into a mirror of the plot. A fable lacks, it must be left a skeleton for the reader to flesh out. The Dom brought tears to my eyes. I wondered if corpse sinkers were real.
Here’s a list of words I learned from The Amber Trader: massif, burin, and moraine. A friend recently told me that there will be software that could translate a book from one language to another, taking into account my preferences. But in this hypothetical translation, isn’t much of the benefits of reading lost, that of keeping an open mind and seeing a new perspective? The story provokes thoughts of how the changes to the Earth’s terrain may mimic changes in human culture. Also, forget Gatsby’s light. I’m more interested in the uncertain light coming from lanterns covered in raindrops (from “The Flute’).
I liked how Schwob depicted how a researcher can be immersed, consumed by a question in The ‘Papier Rouge’. Also, grottoes are awesome. Take a moment, do an image search for “grotto.” You won’t be disappointed.
The Embalming Women was perhaps the most creepy. I could definitely cast Bela Lugosi in this. I had no idea “Ophelion” could be a name. I thought it was just Ophelia, no other versions allowed. Silly me. The author sets the scene beautifully, glaucous seas, a city of cupolas. I think the story very easily makes a fantasy from what’s problematic in modern times - the idea of caring for the dead or dying. I think this concern shifts the tired premise of “he’s dead now no one can have him” into “he’s dead, now we can care for him forever”. Milesian Virgins had the same modern quality to it, dealing with issues of body shaming and dysmorphia.
I was less enthused about the biographies, however, I think the goal he set out in them is laudable, “Were we to practice the art [of biography] we should, beyond doubt, not have to describe in minute detail the characteristics of the most celebrated men of the past but, with the same minuteness, tell of the unique existence of men, be they dine, mediocrities, or criminals.” There are biographies where the high point is farting or other lapses of personal hygiene. There’s a whole interlinked set of biographies dealing with the Children’s Crusade. They weren’t for me. Maybe they’re for you.
Here’s a list of words I learned from The Amber Trader: massif, burin, and moraine. A friend recently told me that there will be software that could translate a book from one language to another, taking into account my preferences. But in this hypothetical translation, isn’t much of the benefits of reading lost, that of keeping an open mind and seeing a new perspective? The story provokes thoughts of how the changes to the Earth’s terrain may mimic changes in human culture. Also, forget Gatsby’s light. I’m more interested in the uncertain light coming from lanterns covered in raindrops (from “The Flute’).
I liked how Schwob depicted how a researcher can be immersed, consumed by a question in The ‘Papier Rouge’. Also, grottoes are awesome. Take a moment, do an image search for “grotto.” You won’t be disappointed.
The Embalming Women was perhaps the most creepy. I could definitely cast Bela Lugosi in this. I had no idea “Ophelion” could be a name. I thought it was just Ophelia, no other versions allowed. Silly me. The author sets the scene beautifully, glaucous seas, a city of cupolas. I think the story very easily makes a fantasy from what’s problematic in modern times - the idea of caring for the dead or dying. I think this concern shifts the tired premise of “he’s dead now no one can have him” into “he’s dead, now we can care for him forever”. Milesian Virgins had the same modern quality to it, dealing with issues of body shaming and dysmorphia.
I was less enthused about the biographies, however, I think the goal he set out in them is laudable, “Were we to practice the art [of biography] we should, beyond doubt, not have to describe in minute detail the characteristics of the most celebrated men of the past but, with the same minuteness, tell of the unique existence of men, be they dine, mediocrities, or criminals.” There are biographies where the high point is farting or other lapses of personal hygiene. There’s a whole interlinked set of biographies dealing with the Children’s Crusade. They weren’t for me. Maybe they’re for you.
piccoline's review against another edition
5.0
Glittering, dense little stories. Like some other late 19th/early 20th stuff (Machen, e.g.) it has this weird sensory intensity that almost overwhelms you at times. Great translation, it seems. Lovely little book, physically, too, nice print, nice pages, striking cover design.
Supposedly an influence on both Borges and Bolano so, you know, I had to read it. But it's its own thing.
Supposedly an influence on both Borges and Bolano so, you know, I had to read it. But it's its own thing.
gudrun's review
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
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