An Apetite For weird Fiction

A lost place where strange forests thrive and black stars rise. . .

I’m still working my way down my current TBR pile. But I am planning to explore more weird fiction. I already have Poe’s works, one of the preeminent ones in that genre ( if you can call it that), of course, there is Lovecraft, who I’ve read in the past.

I’ve listened by audiobook to The Hyperborean Cycle by Clarke Ashton Smith which I have enjoyed immensely. His writing reminds me very much of Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard, and for good reason, that selection of short stories was partially inspired by those two authors.

Whom I haven’t read yet and need to is Robert W. Chambers, author of the book of short stories called The King in Yellow. Quite influential as authors in that genre go. There was a popular and critically acclaimed TV show that used the Yellow King as its theme. I also ran across a work by M. R. James, a story narrated by the wonderful Christopher Lee, and I plan to find more from him.

These writers exist in the gray areas between genres or have pioneered whole genres by themselves, like Poe. When I write my own stories I often mix genres. When I write fantasy, I add science fiction elements and when I write science fiction I add fantasy elements. It was something that I’ve always done. I do feel a kinship with these genre-bending authors and I also like the archaic style of their writings. I realize that this style and genre-bending isn’t popular these days. I’m always behind the curve, off the path or whatever. I never manage to do what is popular. I gave up on that sort of thing years ago.

But when did I ever follow anyone else’s rules?

Back to the TBR pile. I will be putting these authors on my next TBR pile, as well as a few books on the Templar Knights as well as some important science fiction authors and even myth. I have some interesting things coming up on the next reading pile. Happy reading!