|
|
Post by wireman on Jun 15, 2022 13:13:51 GMT
Today, we will discuss The Judge's House by Bram Stoker
|
|
|
|
Post by wireman on Jun 15, 2022 15:01:32 GMT
That was quite the evil ghost story with the added bonus of rats. 
Some of this is typical haunted house stuff but the very sinister hanging judge and some creepy rats elevate the story above the typical haunted house story. I'd like to read a story of the hanging judge's early days. Did you notice that the Mrs Whitam called the rat an old devil and one of the books Malcolmson unknowingly threw at the rat was his mother's old bible?
One thing a little different about this ghost story is that the isolation didn't frighten Malcolmson. He even mentioned he felt companionship in the noises the rats made. I think Malcolmson's comfort with his situation in the fist part of the story makes the tension and terror greater at the end of the story.
The rats ringing the bell so the town could come and see the hanging was a nice touch. |
|
|
|
Post by spideyman on Jun 15, 2022 21:04:27 GMT
This was enjoyable. Creepy, scary, methodological in pace. One of his best short stories. Add in that "rat" factor and descriptive wording. The ending was perfect. Visions of the rats pulling that bell cord!
|
|
|
|
Post by edwardjohn on Jun 15, 2022 22:18:42 GMT
I swear, it seems like every review I do for these stories, no matter the author, I end up mentioning HP Lovecraft.  To me, this is a classic story of rationalism vs supernatural. Those kinds of stories, were the modern world goes up against ancient legend, were perfected by Lovecraft later on, but its good to know that Stoker was a partaker as well. I concur what everyone else has said: there's a lot of good elements to this; you've got the haunted house, the rats, rationalism vs supernatural, etc. I particularly like that the Judge comes to life at the end; that was unexpected and very effective. This was like Blackwood meeting Wells. Would definitely recommend.
|
|
|
|
Post by edwardjohn on Jun 15, 2022 22:21:37 GMT
That was quite the evil ghost story with the added bonus of rats.
Some of this is typical haunted house stuff but the very sinister hanging judge and some creepy rats elevate the story above the typical haunted house story. I'd like to read a story of the hanging judge's early days. Did you notice that the Mrs Whitam called the rat an old devil and one of the books Malcolmson unknowingly threw at the rat was his mother's old bible?
One thing a little different about this ghost story is that the isolation didn't frighten Malcolmson. He even mentioned he felt companionship in the noises the rats made. I think Malcolmson's comfort with his situation in the fist part of the story makes the tension and terror greater at the end of the story.
The rats ringing the bell so the town could come and see the hanging was a nice touch.
Malcolmson was a product of the enlightenment, and that's what leads to his end. |
|
|
|
Post by edwardjohn on Jun 15, 2022 22:22:38 GMT
Had no idea that Stoker was Irish.
|
|
|
|
Post by wireman on Jun 15, 2022 23:17:04 GMT
Had no idea that Stoker was Irish. |
|
|
|
Post by spideyman on Jun 18, 2022 14:01:24 GMT
Suggestion for the next group discussion?
|
|
|
|
Post by wireman on Jun 20, 2022 12:16:17 GMT
The Discussion for Wednesday will be The Terrible Old Man by HP Lovecraft
|
|
To me, this is a classic story of rationalism vs supernatural. Those kinds of stories, were the modern world goes up against ancient legend, were perfected by Lovecraft later on, but its good to know that Stoker was a partaker as well. I concur what everyone else has said: there's a lot of good elements to this; you've got the haunted house, the rats, rationalism vs supernatural, etc. I particularly like that the Judge comes to life at the end; that was unexpected and very effective. This was like Blackwood meeting Wells. Would definitely recommend.