Nice mix of Tales and Terrors
|
|
This is Joe Rattigan's first book, a varied collection of fifteen of his stories gathered from various magazines and anthologies throughout the late '90's. It ranges from genuinely very sinister and unsettling moments to laugh-out-loud funny and deadly sharp wit, very promising for an author so young and really just starting out. Typically in a Rattigan story the characters are troubled with some dark history or burden, and find themselves almost wandering unknowingly into some terrifying and unreal situation, which first reveals itself only as glimpses and hints before unleashing its full force. There are a couple of less than strong stories in here, easily forgettable, but that's the same in any book. Joe's got a new collection out next year called Ghosts Far From Subtle and that's definitely going to be on my shopping list as he's a writer who's certainly improving vastly in his art. Love Stories of the Undead is nicely packaged and illustrated in moody black and white throughout, this one'll soon become a collectors item I recekon.
|
|
LOVE STORIES OF A DIFFERENT KIND
|
|
Weird and wonderful are the tales of Joe Rattigan, an English ghost-story writer at the turn of the 21st century. Never denying his traditional roots, he yet manages to firmly plant his modern, realistic characters in urban contemporary settings before unleashing ageless frights upon them. There are unseen forces, wicked demons, psychopaths, horrors of nature, and even of sex, in here to keep you reaidng avidly from page to page. A gripping read, and most definitely a writer who will achieve great things. The illustrations round off the package nicely.
|
|
|
Nail-biter!!!
|
|
I found all the stories really scary; real nail biting stuff. The story 'Once Again'was a definate favourite of mine closely followed by 'In The Water' a tale that you could almost believe to be real. Enjoyed the book thoroughly and can't wait for more Joe Rattigan stories to appear in any other books he will write.
|
|
|
Atmospheric terror in familiar settings
|
|
Joe Rattigan throws reality out of synch. His characters are realistic and often flawed who live ordinary lives and suddenly find that they're in extraordinary - and thoroughly chilling - situations. This is a collection of 15 of his early stories, wide-ranging and entertaining - featuring real classics such as Not One of Nature's Own and Visions of the Fall, and will appeal to any horror fan - and many who wouldn't normally read horror. The illustrations are superb too. Highly rceommended! Rattigan has been compared to Ramsey Campbell, Clive Barker and Mark Morris.
|
|
|
United States | 
United Kingdom | 
Canada