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A review by house_of_hannah
Haunted Castles: The Complete Gothic Stories by Ray Russell
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
3.75
I am not sure why this collection is titled "Haunted Castles". Only a few of the stories take place in a castle, and there are no ghosts to be seen here. I find it a bit misleading, and I think they simply should have gone with "The Complete Gothic Stories".
This is a very readable collection, and I am astonished that I have never heard of this author before. His style changes to suit the story, so it doesn't feel like this is all the work of one author. Each story is quite unique compared to the others, so there is a good variety that prevents the stories from feeling stale.
The following are each story in this collection, a short summary, and the rating I gave that individual story.
Sardonicus (1961) - A man receives an invitation from a woman he was in love with in his youth. She invites him to the castle she shares with her husband, Mr. Sardonicus. He realizes this is more than a friendly visit when Sardonicus’s true intentions are revealed. 4 Stars
Sagittarius (1962) - An elderly man tells a story from his youth. When he was new to Paris he became obsessed with two actors: One a handsome gentleman that could do no wrong, and the other a bitter, disfigured man, who was very aggressive towards people. He soon realizes that there is more that connects these two actors than just their profession. 5 Stars
Sanguinarius (1967) - A retelling of the story of Elizabeth Báthory, but from her point-of-view. Mixes the legend with the facts, and gives it a new twist. 3 Stars
Comet Wine (1967) - A man tries to find information about a Russian composer, but can only find evidence of his existence in letters written between a Lord and his friend from the mid-1800s. 4 Stars
The Runaway Lovers (1967) - A Lord throws his wife and her lover in the dungeons to be tortured over 7 days. One day for each sin. 2 Stars
The Vendetta (1969) - Alternate title: The Man Who Spoke in Rhyme - A brother and sister live in a palazzo in Italy. The sister is known for her beauty, which draws suitors from all over, but the brother denies anyone a chance at marriage to his sister. When she questions him he simply replies with a riddle about blood. 4 Stars
The Cage (1959) - A woman has an affair with an employee of her husband’s that people refer to as the Devil. Going along with the rumors she requests from him something that only the real Devil could provide. 4 Stars
Averaging the ratings gives us a 3.71. I think most horror lovers would enjoy these stories, especially those who like twisty stories where you might not fully know what's going on until the end.
This is a very readable collection, and I am astonished that I have never heard of this author before. His style changes to suit the story, so it doesn't feel like this is all the work of one author. Each story is quite unique compared to the others, so there is a good variety that prevents the stories from feeling stale.
The following are each story in this collection, a short summary, and the rating I gave that individual story.
Sardonicus (1961) - A man receives an invitation from a woman he was in love with in his youth. She invites him to the castle she shares with her husband, Mr. Sardonicus. He realizes this is more than a friendly visit when Sardonicus’s true intentions are revealed. 4 Stars
Sagittarius (1962) - An elderly man tells a story from his youth. When he was new to Paris he became obsessed with two actors: One a handsome gentleman that could do no wrong, and the other a bitter, disfigured man, who was very aggressive towards people. He soon realizes that there is more that connects these two actors than just their profession. 5 Stars
Sanguinarius (1967) - A retelling of the story of Elizabeth Báthory, but from her point-of-view. Mixes the legend with the facts, and gives it a new twist. 3 Stars
Comet Wine (1967) - A man tries to find information about a Russian composer, but can only find evidence of his existence in letters written between a Lord and his friend from the mid-1800s. 4 Stars
The Runaway Lovers (1967) - A Lord throws his wife and her lover in the dungeons to be tortured over 7 days. One day for each sin. 2 Stars
The Vendetta (1969) - Alternate title: The Man Who Spoke in Rhyme - A brother and sister live in a palazzo in Italy. The sister is known for her beauty, which draws suitors from all over, but the brother denies anyone a chance at marriage to his sister. When she questions him he simply replies with a riddle about blood. 4 Stars
The Cage (1959) - A woman has an affair with an employee of her husband’s that people refer to as the Devil. Going along with the rumors she requests from him something that only the real Devil could provide. 4 Stars
Averaging the ratings gives us a 3.71. I think most horror lovers would enjoy these stories, especially those who like twisty stories where you might not fully know what's going on until the end.