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Post by wireman on May 12, 2021 12:39:47 GMT
Today we will discuss Mr Clubb and Mr Cuff by Peter Straub from the collection Interior Darkness
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Post by spideyman on May 12, 2021 13:05:29 GMT
From an interview:
Where did that brilliant, funny, and awful (in the best way) "Mr. Clubb and Mr. Cuff" — a story of a high-priced lawyer hiring the lowest-rent goons — come from?
I had read many of the Penguin Pocket Editions, a library of shorter fiction they sold for a buck a piece. I got a copy of “Bartleby the Scrivener,” the great Melville novella. I hadn’t read it since college, so I thought I would give it a whirl, and I was just totally knocked out. I couldn’t believe how beautiful and mysterious the story was. Where the hell did that come from? What in the world made that story happen in Melville’s brain? After I picked myself back off the floor I had to try to see how I could play with the material of the story in some way because it spoke so much to me. Then, while I was trying to figure out what to do with the story, I got an invitation from Otto Penzler to contribute to an anthology of revenge stories. So I decided to write a Bartleby story about revenge and everything kind of fell into place from there. I started writing it with the very first words of the story, and with that voice in mind. I remember taking a cab to see a friend, and in the cab I found that I was still writing in my head. I saw a third of the way into the story and I knew I could end the story in the same place where it began. Once those guys, the barnies, Clubb and Cuff, opened their mouths, I was astonished, and I wrote down every word they said. That’s the whole ball of wax in a nutshell, said Mr. Cuff … I didn’t know how other people would respond to it, but to tell you the truth I didn’t much care.
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Post by wireman on May 12, 2021 13:24:51 GMT
This was a killer story  and a combination of crime fiction and horror.
The way Straub wrote this really gave this an old time horror story feel. The story even had the blanked out names like some old stories do (why did they do that? ). The story is both funny and horrific with a couple of very evil characters. Straub takes his time building this story and characters and the horror slowly escalates throughout. Masterfully written. |
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Post by edwardjohn on May 12, 2021 16:45:00 GMT
Man, I completely forgot ... Will get to it though!
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Post by edwardjohn on May 13, 2021 0:41:31 GMT
Finished the story. This is probably the best tale in this collection. The definition of a be careful what you wished for tale. I echo what others have said, this is excellently written. Don't really have any faults with it. I do find it weird how Straub will go on random tangents which don't seem to go anywhere, that was present in the other Straub stories and is here. I get that Straub was inspired by Melville, but what was all that stuff with the business partner who told a random story about his son liking Melville? It was so wacky.
Anyway, great story.
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Post by wireman on May 13, 2021 14:15:26 GMT
I mentioned in my post above that Straub used the blanked out names like you see in many of the stories before 1900. I did a google search to try and find out why that was done in the old stories and the best explanation I found was that the authors back then did not want to blur fiction and non fiction and they worried by using real names, that some readers may think the stories or parts of the stories were non fiction.
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Post by spideyman on May 13, 2021 15:01:21 GMT
I mentioned in my post above that Straub used the blanked out names like you see in many of the stories before 1900. I did a google search to try and find out why that was done in the old stories and the best explanation I found was that the authors back then did not want to blur fiction and non fiction and they worried by using real names, that some readers may think the stories or parts of the stories were non fiction.
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Post by wireman on May 13, 2021 18:48:44 GMT
For next Wednesday, lets go back to Algernon Blackwood. The next story in the kindle book I have is called A Haunted Island. Sound good?
This story is also in a free kindle book from Amazon called The Empty House and other stories
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Post by edwardjohn on May 13, 2021 21:12:18 GMT
I mentioned in my post above that Straub used the blanked out names like you see in many of the stories before 1900. I did a google search to try and find out why that was done in the old stories and the best explanation I found was that the authors back then did not want to blur fiction and non fiction and they worried by using real names, that some readers may think the stories or parts of the stories were non fiction.
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Post by cat on May 18, 2021 23:53:18 GMT
Hi guys! I just wanted to pop in and apologize for missing group so much these last few months. Life has been crazy. I got to read today for the first time in about 2 months. Just no time.
Quick rundown, my stepmom is very ill, she has been for over a year but due to covid could not be seen. Diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. She is doing well right now, good days and bad days. But the news was hard to swallow. I know pancreatic cancer is one of the worst kinds...but she is a fighter.
We've been doing a remodel/update to our house. Lots of shopping and deciding. New flooring in the living room was done about 2 weeks ago. The kitchen has a new faucet and new lighting, we will be painting and installing new microwave and new fridge soon. New trim and window shade. New interior doors on bedrooms upstairs. We bought new trees for the yard, all of our trees died. One is planted, one to go. We paid to have the floor installed but are doing the rest ourselves, which will be on hold for a bit longer, because my husband has to have gall bladder surgery on Thursday. So we have been in/out of dr offices and hospital for that the past month.
Kids also have kept us busy, Ty was in the Jr high production of Alice in Wonderland, and Alison was in track. They both had practices after school that started/ended at different times, different schools, so lots of taxi service. The play was wonderful and Ali did very well in track, she ran 100m, 200m, 4x100 relay and long jump. And her last 2 meets she ran 100m hurdles. Older kids too...Evan just moved into an apartment with his girlfriend and got a new job. And grandkids had soccer and wrestling.
I got a new (to me) car! My poor old Edge had had it. Not very reliable. Got a 2019 VW Jetta. LOVE IT! It has some vroom vroom!! And the gas mileage is outstanding! I love it.
I hope to be around more. Going to make note of the stories I've missed and catch up as I can. Have missed you guys. Hopefully hubby's recovery is smooth and quick, my stepmom continues to do well with her treatment and we can continue working on our remodel and things will return to normal soon. They say when it rains it pours and wow, it is true. So much worry and stress and some happy happy sprinkled in, too...but that's life I guess. Have to take the good with the bad.
I just wanted you to know why I've been gone so much and that I have missed you. I am going to catch up! Big hugs! ❤
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Post by wireman on May 19, 2021 12:27:05 GMT
Hi guys! I just wanted to pop in and apologize for missing group so much these last few months. Life has been crazy. I got to read today for the first time in about 2 months. Just no time. Quick rundown, my stepmom is very ill, she has been for over a year but due to covid could not be seen. Diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. She is doing well right now, good days and bad days. But the news was hard to swallow. I know pancreatic cancer is one of the worst kinds...but she is a fighter. We've been doing a remodel/update to our house. Lots of shopping and deciding. New flooring in the living room was done about 2 weeks ago. The kitchen has a new faucet and new lighting, we will be painting and installing new microwave and new fridge soon. New trim and window shade. New interior doors on bedrooms upstairs. We bought new trees for the yard, all of our trees died. One is planted, one to go. We paid to have the floor installed but are doing the rest ourselves, which will be on hold for a bit longer, because my husband has to have gall bladder surgery on Thursday. So we have been in/out of dr offices and hospital for that the past month. Kids also have kept us busy, Ty was in the Jr high production of Alice in Wonderland, and Alison was in track. They both had practices after school that started/ended at different times, different schools, so lots of taxi service. The play was wonderful and Ali did very well in track, she ran 100m, 200m, 4x100 relay and long jump. And her last 2 meets she ran 100m hurdles. Older kids too...Evan just moved into an apartment with his girlfriend and got a new job. And grandkids had soccer and wrestling. I got a new (to me) car! My poor old Edge had had it. Not very reliable. Got a 2019 VW Jetta. LOVE IT! It has some vroom vroom!! And the gas mileage is outstanding! I love it. I hope to be around more. Going to make note of the stories I've missed and catch up as I can. Have missed you guys. Hopefully hubby's recovery is smooth and quick, my stepmom continues to do well with her treatment and we can continue working on our remodel and things will return to normal soon. They say when it rains it pours and wow, it is true. So much worry and stress and some happy happy sprinkled in, too...but that's life I guess. Have to take the good with the bad. I just wanted you to know why I've been gone so much and that I have missed you. I am going to catch up! Big hugs! ❤ |
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Post by spideyman on May 19, 2021 13:15:39 GMT
Hi guys! I just wanted to pop in and apologize for missing group so much these last few months. Life has been crazy. I got to read today for the first time in about 2 months. Just no time. Quick rundown, my stepmom is very ill, she has been for over a year but due to covid could not be seen. Diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. She is doing well right now, good days and bad days. But the news was hard to swallow. I know pancreatic cancer is one of the worst kinds...but she is a fighter. We've been doing a remodel/update to our house. Lots of shopping and deciding. New flooring in the living room was done about 2 weeks ago. The kitchen has a new faucet and new lighting, we will be painting and installing new microwave and new fridge soon. New trim and window shade. New interior doors on bedrooms upstairs. We bought new trees for the yard, all of our trees died. One is planted, one to go. We paid to have the floor installed but are doing the rest ourselves, which will be on hold for a bit longer, because my husband has to have gall bladder surgery on Thursday. So we have been in/out of dr offices and hospital for that the past month. Kids also have kept us busy, Ty was in the Jr high production of Alice in Wonderland, and Alison was in track. They both had practices after school that started/ended at different times, different schools, so lots of taxi service. The play was wonderful and Ali did very well in track, she ran 100m, 200m, 4x100 relay and long jump. And her last 2 meets she ran 100m hurdles. Older kids too...Evan just moved into an apartment with his girlfriend and got a new job. And grandkids had soccer and wrestling. I got a new (to me) car! My poor old Edge had had it. Not very reliable. Got a 2019 VW Jetta. LOVE IT! It has some vroom vroom!! And the gas mileage is outstanding! I love it. I hope to be around more. Going to make note of the stories I've missed and catch up as I can. Have missed you guys. Hopefully hubby's recovery is smooth and quick, my stepmom continues to do well with her treatment and we can continue working on our remodel and things will return to normal soon. They say when it rains it pours and wow, it is true. So much worry and stress and some happy happy sprinkled in, too...but that's life I guess. Have to take the good with the bad. I just wanted you to know why I've been gone so much and that I have missed you. I am going to catch up! Big hugs! ❤ |
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Post by kingfamilyfan on May 19, 2021 18:41:45 GMT
Hi guys! I just wanted to pop in and apologize for missing group so much these last few months. Life has been crazy. I got to read today for the first time in about 2 months. Just no time. Quick rundown, my stepmom is very ill, she has been for over a year but due to covid could not be seen. Diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. She is doing well right now, good days and bad days. But the news was hard to swallow. I know pancreatic cancer is one of the worst kinds...but she is a fighter. We've been doing a remodel/update to our house. Lots of shopping and deciding. New flooring in the living room was done about 2 weeks ago. The kitchen has a new faucet and new lighting, we will be painting and installing new microwave and new fridge soon. New trim and window shade. New interior doors on bedrooms upstairs. We bought new trees for the yard, all of our trees died. One is planted, one to go. We paid to have the floor installed but are doing the rest ourselves, which will be on hold for a bit longer, because my husband has to have gall bladder surgery on Thursday. So we have been in/out of dr offices and hospital for that the past month. Kids also have kept us busy, Ty was in the Jr high production of Alice in Wonderland, and Alison was in track. They both had practices after school that started/ended at different times, different schools, so lots of taxi service. The play was wonderful and Ali did very well in track, she ran 100m, 200m, 4x100 relay and long jump. And her last 2 meets she ran 100m hurdles. Older kids too...Evan just moved into an apartment with his girlfriend and got a new job. And grandkids had soccer and wrestling. I got a new (to me) car! My poor old Edge had had it. Not very reliable. Got a 2019 VW Jetta. LOVE IT! It has some vroom vroom!! And the gas mileage is outstanding! I love it. I hope to be around more. Going to make note of the stories I've missed and catch up as I can. Have missed you guys. Hopefully hubby's recovery is smooth and quick, my stepmom continues to do well with her treatment and we can continue working on our remodel and things will return to normal soon. They say when it rains it pours and wow, it is true. So much worry and stress and some happy happy sprinkled in, too...but that's life I guess. Have to take the good with the bad. I just wanted you to know why I've been gone so much and that I have missed you. I am going to catch up! Big hugs! ❤ Hope all goes well for everyone Cat. miss you. keeping you and your family in my prayers. |
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Post by neesy on May 26, 2021 17:17:41 GMT
Hi guys! I just wanted to pop in and apologize for missing group so much these last few months. Life has been crazy. I got to read today for the first time in about 2 months. Just no time. Quick rundown, my stepmom is very ill, she has been for over a year but due to covid could not be seen. Diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. She is doing well right now, good days and bad days. But the news was hard to swallow. I know pancreatic cancer is one of the worst kinds...but she is a fighter. We've been doing a remodel/update to our house. Lots of shopping and deciding. New flooring in the living room was done about 2 weeks ago. The kitchen has a new faucet and new lighting, we will be painting and installing new microwave and new fridge soon. New trim and window shade. New interior doors on bedrooms upstairs. We bought new trees for the yard, all of our trees died. One is planted, one to go. We paid to have the floor installed but are doing the rest ourselves, which will be on hold for a bit longer, because my husband has to have gall bladder surgery on Thursday. So we have been in/out of dr offices and hospital for that the past month. Kids also have kept us busy, Ty was in the Jr high production of Alice in Wonderland, and Alison was in track. They both had practices after school that started/ended at different times, different schools, so lots of taxi service. The play was wonderful and Ali did very well in track, she ran 100m, 200m, 4x100 relay and long jump. And her last 2 meets she ran 100m hurdles. Older kids too...Evan just moved into an apartment with his girlfriend and got a new job. And grandkids had soccer and wrestling. I got a new (to me) car! My poor old Edge had had it. Not very reliable. Got a 2019 VW Jetta. LOVE IT! It has some vroom vroom!! And the gas mileage is outstanding! I love it. I hope to be around more. Going to make note of the stories I've missed and catch up as I can. Have missed you guys. Hopefully hubby's recovery is smooth and quick, my stepmom continues to do well with her treatment and we can continue working on our remodel and things will return to normal soon. They say when it rains it pours and wow, it is true. So much worry and stress and some happy happy sprinkled in, too...but that's life I guess. Have to take the good with the bad. I just wanted you to know why I've been gone so much and that I have missed you. I am going to catch up! Big hugs! ❤
Glad to hear you're okay although it sounds like you've been through a lot! Hope the hubby recovered well from the gallbladder surgery; hope your aunt is hanging in there - my Mom had that too 
Also hoping I can start participating in these books again myself
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Post by cat on Jun 8, 2021 18:59:48 GMT
I really liked this story! One I can see rereading in the future. I said Pork Pie Hat was the best of the collection so far but this one is even better.
Gruesome yet details are slim...just enough for your imagination to take over. This would make a pretty great movie, I think. I was wondering about how it would be in play form...it could be minimally done, even just a 3 or 4 person cast. It would be awesome, I think.
Really glad I took the time to read these stories I was behind on. I would have been sorry to have missed this one. Really good.
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and a combination of crime fiction and horror.
