cadabr again
2010-12-29 04:19:55 UTC
Since that imposter "Black Pilgrim" appears missing in action it must be up
to someone to finish this thing. I was thinking about lists and top ten
lists to be more specific and a little bit more specific I was thinking on
horror fiction lists. I come across to my surprise a list of Walter de la
Mare tales slotted side to side with Beatles songs. This is interesting and
I see reference to an M.R. James list compared with the works of the Glimmer
Twins to be promised in the future. Alas, but that poor poster of ages ago
of this officially deceased group has now left us and I mean left us in the
worst sort of way. I see that as of now this was almost exactly ten years
ago. How sad.
It seems unfitting to slot the Stones with M.R. James. Just about everyone
likes something or other from James and he is widely accepted as among the
best of his lot. Given all the current talk of a one Mr. Robert Fordyce
Aickman it seems much more appropriate to slot RA alongside Mick/Keith for
the obvious similarities. I mean to say that people that like the Stones
LOVE the Stones and people that like Aickman LOVE Aickman. Usually there is
not middle ground. Love or hate. Reject or obsess over.
So on this 10th anniversary of a terrible sad loss I ask that anyone out
there in cyberspace who might be reading this - please indulge me... for
your entertainment here is the Top Ten Robert Aickman Strange Tales in
Letterman order according to whomever compiled this list and if this might
seem inappropriate or offensive please excuse the post-
10. "The Unsettled Dust"
So at least one classic ghost story has to be included in a list from a
writer of supposed Ghost Stories ("You Can't Always Get What You Want"
"Start Me Up")
9. "Wood"
Something old. Something new. Something borrowed. Something blue. ("Under My
Thumb" "Love is Strong")
8. "The Fetch"
Perfect closing line. Perfect supernatural tale. ("Beast of Burden" "Fool to
Cry")
7. "Into the Wood"
Peter Straub names it as masterpiece so how can you argue with that.
("Midnight Rambler" "Happy")
6. "The Trains"
Aickman's first. All his other good and great ones came after this. Few
exceed it. ("Honky Tonk Women" "Shine a Light")
5. "Your Tiny Hand is Frozen"
She's so cold would be fitting but I prefer the buzz of the orchestra on a
long distance line. ( "Dead Flowers" "Rocks Off")
4. "Ravissante"
Few people talk about it but still it remains a most powerful disturbing
work ( "Paint it Black" "Soul Survivor")
3. "The Stains" -
Everyman's fantasy and nightmare all rolled into one which seems no easy
feat. ( "Let It Bleed" "Jumpin' Jack Flash")
2. "The Inner Room"
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. ( "Can't You
Hear Me Knockin'" "Gimmie Shelter")
1. "The Hospice"
Hey hey hey. That's what I say. Can anyone really NOT put this at the top?!
( "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" "Tumbling Dice")
Good night Johnny Eatman. Wherever you are. Sleep well and hope to see you
on the other side.
to someone to finish this thing. I was thinking about lists and top ten
lists to be more specific and a little bit more specific I was thinking on
horror fiction lists. I come across to my surprise a list of Walter de la
Mare tales slotted side to side with Beatles songs. This is interesting and
I see reference to an M.R. James list compared with the works of the Glimmer
Twins to be promised in the future. Alas, but that poor poster of ages ago
of this officially deceased group has now left us and I mean left us in the
worst sort of way. I see that as of now this was almost exactly ten years
ago. How sad.
It seems unfitting to slot the Stones with M.R. James. Just about everyone
likes something or other from James and he is widely accepted as among the
best of his lot. Given all the current talk of a one Mr. Robert Fordyce
Aickman it seems much more appropriate to slot RA alongside Mick/Keith for
the obvious similarities. I mean to say that people that like the Stones
LOVE the Stones and people that like Aickman LOVE Aickman. Usually there is
not middle ground. Love or hate. Reject or obsess over.
So on this 10th anniversary of a terrible sad loss I ask that anyone out
there in cyberspace who might be reading this - please indulge me... for
your entertainment here is the Top Ten Robert Aickman Strange Tales in
Letterman order according to whomever compiled this list and if this might
seem inappropriate or offensive please excuse the post-
10. "The Unsettled Dust"
So at least one classic ghost story has to be included in a list from a
writer of supposed Ghost Stories ("You Can't Always Get What You Want"
"Start Me Up")
9. "Wood"
Something old. Something new. Something borrowed. Something blue. ("Under My
Thumb" "Love is Strong")
8. "The Fetch"
Perfect closing line. Perfect supernatural tale. ("Beast of Burden" "Fool to
Cry")
7. "Into the Wood"
Peter Straub names it as masterpiece so how can you argue with that.
("Midnight Rambler" "Happy")
6. "The Trains"
Aickman's first. All his other good and great ones came after this. Few
exceed it. ("Honky Tonk Women" "Shine a Light")
5. "Your Tiny Hand is Frozen"
She's so cold would be fitting but I prefer the buzz of the orchestra on a
long distance line. ( "Dead Flowers" "Rocks Off")
4. "Ravissante"
Few people talk about it but still it remains a most powerful disturbing
work ( "Paint it Black" "Soul Survivor")
3. "The Stains" -
Everyman's fantasy and nightmare all rolled into one which seems no easy
feat. ( "Let It Bleed" "Jumpin' Jack Flash")
2. "The Inner Room"
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. ( "Can't You
Hear Me Knockin'" "Gimmie Shelter")
1. "The Hospice"
Hey hey hey. That's what I say. Can anyone really NOT put this at the top?!
( "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" "Tumbling Dice")
Good night Johnny Eatman. Wherever you are. Sleep well and hope to see you
on the other side.