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Post by weirdmonger on Oct 29, 2010 16:26:29 GMT
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Post by marksamuels on Oct 29, 2010 17:50:24 GMT
Blimey!
Wasn't the last one (i.e. a horror author) Algernon Blackwood (or was he an MBE) ??
Mark S.
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Post by marksamuels on Oct 29, 2010 19:57:07 GMT
After spending hours in the dusty piles of the Samuels book-garret, searching out the Mike Ashley biography, I see that Blackwood was awarded the CBE in 1949.
I can't (right now) find the exact reference, but I believe (like JH) he had a similarly impish remark to make upon official recognition:
"Funny to be made a commander of an empire the bestowers of the award have done their best to destroy"
(something like that, anyway)
Mark S.
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Post by Craig Herbertson on Oct 29, 2010 20:44:12 GMT
After spending hours in the dusty piles of the Samuels book-garret, searching out the Mike Ashley biography, I see that Blackwood was awarded the CBE in 1949. I can't (right now) find the exact reference, but I believe (like JH) he had a similarly impish remark to make upon official recognition: "Funny to be made a commander of an empire the bestowers of the award have done their best to destroy" (something like that, anyway) Mark S. Always wanted to be in a position to say something like that - of course only if you did manage to say something like that in that position. |
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Post by marksamuels on Oct 29, 2010 21:41:40 GMT
After spending hours in the dusty piles of the Samuels book-garret, searching out the Mike Ashley biography, I see that Blackwood was awarded the CBE in 1949. I can't (right now) find the exact reference, but I believe (like JH) he had a similarly impish remark to make upon official recognition: "Funny to be made a commander of an empire the bestowers of the award have done their best to destroy" (something like that, anyway) Mark S. Always wanted to be in a position to say something like that - of course only if you did manage to say something like that in that position. Quite so, Craig. I recall the remark Hilaire Belloc made when he refused to accept an offered papal medal: "But what would they say if I changed my mind?" Mark S. |
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Post by cw67q on Oct 29, 2010 23:41:53 GMT
"Funny to be made a commander of an empire the bestowers of the award have done their best to destroy" (something like that, anyway) Mark S. Far better a destroyer than a builder of empires anyway. Empire being, at the end of the day, only a glamorous word for the invasion and theft of other countries and enslavement of the populace. - chris |
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Post by Craig Herbertson on Oct 30, 2010 7:56:37 GMT
"Funny to be made a commander of an empire the bestowers of the award have done their best to destroy" (something like that, anyway) Mark S. Far better a destroyer than a builder of empires anyway. Empire being, at the end of the day, only a glamorous word for the invasion and theft of other countries and enslavement of the populace. - chris To forestall any question of politics I outline my stance by relating the only speech recorded by William Wallace when accused of being a traitor by Edward hammer of the Scots 'I was never a traitor - you are not my king and while the breath breathes in the poor body you never shall be.' |
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Post by weirdmonger on Oct 30, 2010 8:06:12 GMT
I once went through a James Herbert stage...Rats, Fog. But if he is the only Horror Writer to be given such an Establishment award, then it is a travesty.
Having said that - and no disrespect to any other Horror Writers - and after trying to empathise with the Establishment and its aims and standards - it is hard to credit that an author who wrote, say, some of the scenes in THE FOG is given the Order of the British Empire for so doing. Or has he been given it for other reasons? Exports? Charity work? The furtherance of Art?
Equally, it is refreshing, too, in some strange way!
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Post by Craig Herbertson on Oct 30, 2010 8:18:42 GMT
I once went through a James Herbert stage...Rats, Fog. But if he is the only Horror Writer to be given such an Establishment award, then it is a travesty. Having said that - and no disrespect to any other Horror Writers - and after trying to empathise with the Establishment and its aims and standards - it is hard to credit that an author who wrote, say, some of the scenes in THE FOG is given the Order of the British Empire for so doing. Or has he been given it for other reasons? Exports? Charity work? The furtherance of Art? Equally, it is refreshing, too, in some strange way! Must surely have been something else other than writing; usually is from what i understand. In Herbert's case perhaps he mutated some rats and released them somewhere apposite. But I agree, 'refreshing' is the right word. |
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Post by dem bones on Oct 30, 2010 8:31:12 GMT
I once went through a James Herbert stage...Rats, Fog. But if he is the only Horror Writer to be given such an Establishment award, then it is a travesty. well, Mark has already cited Algernon Blackwood. Why 'travesty'? *all innocent* So if not Herbert, which horror author should have been honoured in his place? the sick bastard in me is so tempted to join at least two other horror-interest boards -  - and ask the same question; i mean, the potential for hilarity is ...  |
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Post by weirdmonger on Oct 30, 2010 8:39:42 GMT
well, Mark has already cited Algernon Blackwood. Sorry, I meant on the contemporary scene. If he is the only 21st century horror writer to be given an Establishment award, then it is a travesty as perpetrated by that Establishment. But that can only be an opinion, I agree. And I am unaware exactly for what reasons he has been given the award. |
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Post by Johnlprobert on Oct 30, 2010 9:12:31 GMT
I think this is splendid news and of course it's not a 'travesty'.
Awards such as these are often bestowed upon British subjects who have become sufficiently successful in their artistic endeavours to become widely known and appreciated throughout the world. James Herbert is far and away the most successful horror writer this country has ever produced and I think it's marvellous that the establishment is willing to recognise that and not be dismissive of our genre.
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Post by dem bones on Oct 30, 2010 9:31:09 GMT
seconded.
i'd like to think it was because HRH was tickled that he fed the PM and his/ (most likely) her cabinet to the mutant rats in Domain, but my guess would be that the 'horror author' bit is a red herring and JH has been recognised for his part in keeping the book industry going - the man has notched up phenomenal sales throughout his career.
as far as 'travesty' goes, The Rats and The Fog played no small role in sparking the horror boom period which led to a number of genre authors getting their break, probably kept a lot of people at NEL, HarperCollins & Co. in employment, too. can't say i'm a big fan of awards, but if we're going to have them, then i'm glad Jim got one and hope he enjoyed the big day.
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Post by weirdmonger on Oct 30, 2010 9:42:14 GMT
OK, point taken. I retract my 'travesty', with due apologies. People can be convinced that their point of view is wrong by internet forums, after all.  |
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Post by Craig Herbertson on Oct 30, 2010 9:43:27 GMT
Thirded. Can't think of any other contemporary horror writer who has been so successful - has there been? He also spawned a new era. I have a healthy contempt for awards as well (which I will instantly retract in the unlikely moment I receive one) but if you're going to get one in horror I think he's the man.
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- and ask the same question; i mean, the potential for hilarity is ... 
