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Post by weirdmonger on Jul 31, 2008 15:28:50 GMT
I suppose a negative review was bound to happen sooner or later. Not totally negative. Just prissy ... and slight.
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Post by sean on Jul 31, 2008 15:58:16 GMT
Will someone let me know when the review scans start doing the rounds? Ta.
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Post by Calenture on Jul 31, 2008 16:03:02 GMT
Will someone let me know when the review scans start doing the rounds? Ta. I've just sent one to Charles, so I'll add you, Sean. Feeling a bit left out and vulnerable with all these pitchforks around, so I'd just like to point out that both Dan McGachey's stories received high praise, and Charles' own story did, too.
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Post by David A. Riley on Jul 31, 2008 16:53:02 GMT
Having now looked at my copy of Prism I can't say the reviews were bad in my view. They were very brief, with some positive comments, though most of the stories were left unmentioned. I did get the impression they were the kind of reviews, though, that were meant to impress the reader with the reviewer's insight and wit rather than anything else. Just my impression. A tad pompous too.
David
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Post by Johnlprobert on Jul 31, 2008 17:32:56 GMT
You have to remember, too, that not all members of the BFS are as enthusiastic as most of us are about horror. Some - the die-hard fantasists - absolutely hate it, especially the kind of horror, as Caroline correctly points out, inspired at least in part by the Pan series. David Of course that's true. I was surprised at the number of black looks I got at a BFS panel last year for bemoaning the fact that the horror section of the little bookshop I used to go to in Abergavenny now only stocks those bloody gothic sexy vampire books, even when I explained that I had nothing against them but that variety is the key to a spicy horror life. What on earth is a die-hard fantasist anyway? And if they're that delicate why are they daring to poke their pasty, limp, wilting, noses into proper books?
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Post by carolinec on Jul 31, 2008 19:01:30 GMT
I'm beginning to feel quite sorry for this BFS reviewer now. If only he knew he had the whole of the Vault of Evil after him with torches and pitchforks ...
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Post by Craig Herbertson on Jul 31, 2008 19:23:07 GMT
I'd like to see the review of No 2 before I dust the cobwebs off the pitchfork. But I admit I would have found it, or indeed did find it, difficult to review The Third Black Book because I only found two stories in it that weren't superb and they were still enjoyable and appropriate. I haven't mentioned so far, for example, that Family Ties was the best Zombie story I have read in years - absolute wyndamesque. Loved it. I could go on and on and do when I meet anyone who speaks English out here
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Post by dem bones on Jul 31, 2008 19:51:36 GMT
What on earth is a die-hard fantasist anyway? And if they're that delicate why are they daring to poke their pasty, limp, wilting, noses into proper books? Well said Lord P! They ought to stick to their weedy self-indulgent pretentious student cerebral rubbish that doesn't frighten anybody and leave the black sorcery to those who know what they're talking about. And what's The Observer when it's at home? I've never heard of it so it can't be any good. He should write for Paperback Fanatic like normal people. Still, I don't want to pre-judge the man before I've read his ridiculous review so will let it go at that for the time being.
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Post by Johnlprobert on Jul 31, 2008 20:17:04 GMT
OK I'm pasting in here what I've just put on the Ramsey Campbell board but hopefully it will give vaulters an idea of the reviews:
OK here's a snippet about BB2:
"A couple of the stories are little more than nihilistic, sexist machismo."
Oh and apparently some of the stories dwell on the 'fetishism of the female body' and include plenty of 'violence blood and mutilation'. I wonder if he means mine? I do hope so.
And from BB1:
"Those stories that don't work so well rely on the debasement of the human body and pulp schlock."
I hope that's me and my big willy story - some people tend to miss the point of that one.
(On previewing that last sentence I find it even more hilarious than I had intended. Me & my big willy indeed)
Ooh, now, yes, missus!
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Post by dem bones on Jul 31, 2008 20:28:44 GMT
So what exactly is everyone moaning about?
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Post by Calenture on Jul 31, 2008 20:32:49 GMT
Um, precisely... It's in your post. Any more want to see it, PM me.
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Post by David A. Riley on Jul 31, 2008 23:09:52 GMT
I'm beginning to feel quite sorry for this BFS reviewer now. If only he knew he had the whole of the Vault of Evil after him with torches and pitchforks . And there's me just about to break out the chainsaws. David
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Post by sean on Aug 1, 2008 8:34:51 GMT
To be honest, I thought the reviews were pretty damn funny, the only problem being it may put off some who would enjoy them.
And, if it causes the odd fantasy-fan to choke on their hobbit, all the better!
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Post by Johnlprobert on Aug 1, 2008 8:54:22 GMT
The only problem being it may put off some who would enjoy them. That was the only problem I had. If I were new to the genre it would make me give the books a miss and that would be a shame. Until I saw the cover of BB3 of course, which I'd have to buy anyway
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Post by benedictjjones on Aug 1, 2008 10:10:39 GMT
"Oh and apparently some of the stories dwell on the 'fetishism of the female body' and include plenty of 'violence blood and mutilation'. "
^DEFINETLY MY KIND OF BOOK THEN! =O)
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