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Post by Jojo Lapin X on Oct 31, 2019 19:01:23 GMT
No one, though, can doubt the depths of his knowledge. I can!
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Post by helrunar on Oct 31, 2019 19:09:44 GMT
That's fascinating about Arthur Machen's process with The Great God Pan. I'd never read that.
Thanks, Dr Strange!
cheers, Helrunar
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Post by dem bones on Oct 31, 2019 19:19:15 GMT
I have read that there are two versions of Pan. Is there a big difference? From what I've been able to find online, it seems the earlier "version" might only be the first chapter of the book. That makes sense as the first chapter is an extraordinarily bleak stand-alone story in itself.
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Post by helrunar on Oct 31, 2019 19:29:30 GMT
It seems Mr Joshi has done laudable work as an editor--restoring the texts of Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith from the ravages inflicted upon them by Farnsworth Wright's rampaging blue pencil, collecting Lovecraft's letters and publishing them, etc. He's worked with collaborators such as David Schultz and Marc Michaud who may have done a lot of the donkey-work of textual collation--don't know. I haven't read Joshi's biography of Lovecraft. I did read de Camp's book back in the Seventies but don't really remember anything about it beyond not really liking the tone de Camp took about HPL very much. I heard de Camp speak about Lovecraft at an event in Baltimore back in around '77 or so, and I have to admit I found him fascinating as a speaker.
The only time Joshi really irked me, personally, was in a preface he wrote for a collection of Sax Rohmer tales. The preface was all about how awful a writer Sax was and Joshi's out-loud wondering why on Earth anyone in their right mind would want to read such rubbish. Of course, it was all phrased much more smoothly and appropriately than that. I realize most people don't like Sax Rohmer but why bother to take on the assignment to do an introduction if you don't like the work from the get-go? I found it pointlessly vituperative.
H.
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Post by Dr Strange on Oct 31, 2019 20:03:31 GMT
That makes sense as the first chapter is an extraordinarily bleak stand-alone story in itself. Agreed - I just re-read it online (Guttenberg.org). It works surprisingly well as a short, sharp shocker. I wonder what Clarke whispered to Raymond? {Spoiler}That the subject in the experiment should be a virgin? Because here's what I think - {Spoiler}Mary was already pregnant (with Raymond's child) at the time of the experiment.
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Post by dem bones on Nov 1, 2019 7:09:23 GMT
That makes sense as the first chapter is an extraordinarily bleak stand-alone story in itself. Agreed - I just re-read it online (Guttenberg.org). It works surprisingly well as a short, sharp shocker. I wonder what Clarke whispered to Raymond? {Spoiler}That the subject in the experiment should be a virgin? I thought so. I'd not considered that at all! I think you're spot on.
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Post by Dr Strange on Nov 1, 2019 9:49:58 GMT
I don't think it had ever occurred to me before either. It might explain some other parts of the story. {Spoiler}Like Raymond's general attitude and behaviour towards Helen.
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Post by ramseycampbell on Nov 1, 2019 10:56:57 GMT
Was Victorian culture really that "enfeebled"? I think not. When reading Joshi, it is instructive to keep the following simple rule in mind: Joshi is always wrong about everything. Hardly.
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Post by ramseycampbell on Nov 1, 2019 10:58:23 GMT
No one, though, can doubt the depths of his knowledge. I can! Indeed, but it's demonstrable all the same.
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Post by Michael Connolly on Nov 1, 2019 13:33:06 GMT
Indeed, but it's demonstrable all the same. I agree. I always find Joshi's criticism to be worthwhile even when I don't agree with him.
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Post by Jojo Lapin X on Nov 1, 2019 15:39:18 GMT
Indeed, but it's demonstrable all the same. I agree. I always find Joshi's criticism to be worthwhile even when I don't agree with him. Sycophant!
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Post by Michael Connolly on Nov 4, 2019 13:56:25 GMT
I agree. I always find Joshi's criticism to be worthwhile even when I don't agree with him. Sycophant!
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Post by Jojo Lapin X on Nov 5, 2019 20:11:39 GMT
I am reporting you! Moderators!
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