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Post by vaughan on Jul 27, 2009 9:14:28 GMT
This was my first reading of a Charles L. Grant novel, and I was glad I took the plunge. I have a couple other books of his here, and I look forward to them. On the other hand, and paying attention to the board, this is NOT pulp. In fact, what sets it apart from most I've read is that it travels across the border into the realms of "literature", where some of the writing is simply sublime. The Orchard is actually an anthology novel of sorts. There are no chapters, only four sections of around 90 pages each. The opening section tells the story of a group of college friends who go to an old orchard for a picnic/booze up. An accident occurs, and each of them, in one way or another, is cursed. After this various of these characters come in an out of stories revolving around the town at the edges of the orchard. Each of the stories are horror tales, from out and out monster stories to ghostly hauntings. A particular favorite tells of a group of people who become stuck in a cinema. There have been some movies along this theme (most notably Lamberto Bava's 1985 film, Demons.) However, Grant is far more subtle, more along the lines of MR James than Dario Argento (who produced Lamberto's movie). This tale is spooky, mysterious, and eerily evil. In fact that is what I liked about the book. It's truly dream like, as the four sections cover different time periods, linked only by tenuous characters, and aided by some beautiful prose. I'd like to read this one again. The main issue, if it bothers you, is that threads are left hanging. In fact, while most anthology type presentations have some kind of book-ended narrative, this work eschews that. You might even ask - what was that about? However, enjoy the experience of this one , that's the thing. I hope his other books are as good. |
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Post by Johnlprobert on Jul 27, 2009 11:03:48 GMT
Well Vaughn you've sold me on this one from your description, and here speaks a man (as many on the board here will tell you) who prefers the cruel nastiness of Charles Birkin to the 'quiet horror' that Mr Grant is famous for, the kind of thing I often find difficult to get into. But you've prepared me for elements that I might otherwise have been disappointed by and I think I'll seek this one out.
Did you know PS publishing are bringing out a big collection of Grant stories? No idea when, though.
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Post by vaughan on Jul 27, 2009 11:55:57 GMT
Nope, I didn't know that. Interesting.
I have a couple more of his here: The Pet and The Tea Party.
What set him apart, for me, was the quality of the writing. His ideas were nice too (there's a terrific story about a hospital here). Be thinking a lyrical Amicus, and you're on the right track.
I hope to get to the other Grant's soon.
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Post by andydecker on Jul 27, 2009 17:25:51 GMT
Grant is difficult for me. I really like his writing style, which is so much better then 90% of his competitors. He has a unique voice. But often his "quit" horror is too quit. A lot of his tales left me confused, as in "what the hell was supposed to happen here?" In this regard he is like Campbell.
But he was a great editor. His "Shadows" Anthologie had a lot of good stories.
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Post by Johnlprobert on Jul 27, 2009 19:35:06 GMT
I've never been able to track down the Shadows anthologies but I probably should
I'd agree with that about RC, although very interestingly when I interviewed him and asked if he ever intended to be wilfully obscure he said no not at all.
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Post by vaughan on Jul 27, 2009 22:37:39 GMT
Make no mistake, The Orchard is another of these. I had lots of questions by the end of the book, and he's obtuse about his characters and their motives.
But he's good, and the writing at times is just wonderful. So I forgave any demands I was making (after all, they are MY demands, not his) and just went with it. It was a good journey.
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Post by andydecker on Mar 16, 2022 9:42:43 GMT
Charles L. Grant - The Orchard (Tor Books, 1986, 287 pages)  David Mann As has been noted above, this is a collection of 4 novelles with an prologue and an epilogue.
Content:
Prologue (The Orchard)
My Mary's Asleep
I See Her Sweet and Fair
The Last and Dreadful Hour
Screaming, in the Dark
Epilogue (The Orchard)
Considerung how many books Tor published in these years, not only in Horror, but also as SF, Fantasy and YA, this can be considered as as a Golden Age.
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