I’ve always been prone to reading whatever’s in front of me, whether it’s a dictionary or a catsup label. So there I was at Barnes & Noble in Newport after a movie, waiting on my grandsons to figure out what music they wanted.
And there in the section of classics with copyrights pretty much expired, so they can be re-printed cheaply, was Great Irish Tales of Horror – A Treasury of Fear, edited by Peter Haining.
And you’re right – I’ve only read one chapter of a Stephen King, and haven’t seen any of the Halloween / Jason movies. But – these were Irish stories, where I’ll likely accept what I wouldn’t in any other genre. And I knew most of them were old, which meant there wouldn’t be lots of blood and violence abounding. And, of course, they were Irish, in case I forgot to mention that.
There really are some great stories in here – and the author bios are worth the whole $5.98. One author is Cincinnati’s own Lafcadio Hearn, from the late 19th century. Imagine discovering that Japan claims him as well.
I’ll be glad to let you borrow it, or you can buy your own. Can’t give it away as I often do, though – these are truly and clearly stories with an Irish sensibility, after all.