tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post6979288817941220457..comments2024-03-18T11:01:42.459-05:00Comments on Pretty Sinister Books: FFB: The Feast of Bacchus - Ernest G. HenhamJ F Norrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-86904746057188363482016-10-24T08:58:28.774-05:002016-10-24T08:58:28.774-05:00It's not an "of course" for most US ...It's not an "of course" for most US citizens. We're not taught much about Canadian history. I certainly wasn't back in the 1970s. As I've said many a time on this blog I'm wholly ignorant of world history other than the very basics I can recall from elementary school and high school. Everything I've learned about history since my college graduation comes from the novels I read and the Googling I do when I come across references like the one about Wolfe and Montcalm. J F Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-77019866964139639742016-10-24T08:52:42.782-05:002016-10-24T08:52:42.782-05:00As one of the earliest examples of the haunted hou...As one of the earliest examples of the haunted house as living entity it's probably the most original. So much of what Henham writes about and believes turns up in books like THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE and BURNT OFFERINGS, but not for decades later. My favorite part is that Henham employs the personifications of Comedy and Tragedy as the forces of good and evil which work they way into the personalities of all the characters.J F Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-84073013591629202712016-10-24T05:27:30.039-05:002016-10-24T05:27:30.039-05:00You've just about convinced me that I need to ...You've just about convinced me that I need to buy this book!dfordoomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02306293859869179118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-37091772810983851742016-10-22T15:38:08.902-05:002016-10-22T15:38:08.902-05:00Of course Canadians remember Wolfe and Montcalm fi... Of course Canadians remember Wolfe and Montcalm fighting the Battle of The Plains of Abraham. That's like an American remembering the Battle of Bunker Hill. It was the very foundation of English speaking Canada. In fact the motto of <br />Quebec, "Je Me Souviens" (I will Remember), is a quote from a poem that goes:<br /><br />Je me souviens/ Que né sous le lys/ Je croîs sous la rose.<br />(Translation: I remember/ That born under the lily/ I grow under the rose.)<br /><br />The lily refers to France, and the rose, to England. Ron Smythhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00575735524072816238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-18334542397499122372016-10-22T12:32:11.193-05:002016-10-22T12:32:11.193-05:00Although you mention that this title -- and the ot...Although you mention that this title -- and the others released by Valancourt Books -- are available as eBooks, I will definitely order the print edition based on your observations. I'm sure you feel similarly, but it's always wonderful when publishers choose to bring back into print long-neglected writers and titles. I try to patronize those companies as often as I can. Thanks again for the recommendation -- JHJason Halfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15247128155560891888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-26069687592440099352016-10-22T09:57:03.804-05:002016-10-22T09:57:03.804-05:00Thanks for the compliments, Jason. This "ghos...Thanks for the compliments, Jason. This "ghost story" is more than just a tale about a haunted house; it's truly original. Henham is my favorite discovery of this year. All thanks to Valancourt Books and their unique catalog of unjustly forgotten writers. I plan to read his books as John Trevena next though very few of them are remotely related to either crime or supernatural. His observations about human nature and the world at large still have resonance in this so-called modern age.J F Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-87447847594433695572016-10-22T08:46:31.009-05:002016-10-22T08:46:31.009-05:00John -- What a wonderful find, and what a great an...John -- What a wonderful find, and what a great and comprehensive review you present! It's no surprise to report that neither author nor title was anywhere near my radar, but I am fond of atmospheric ghost stories of any era, from Ambrose Bierce and M.R. James to Robert Aickman and Peter Straub. I will certainly check out The Feast of Bacchus, and with its theatre angle I now have a great potential gift idea for some friends as well. <br /><br />It's no secret that I enjoy crime and mystery stories the most when they have other qualities that add to the reading experience beyond puzzle or plot. This sounds like a perfect candidate to add to my ever-growing list of recommendations from fellow scholars and bloggers! All best wishes --- Jason Jason Halfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15247128155560891888noreply@blogger.com