Tag: Fantasy

Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice (1976)

On By Christopher TuthillIn 31 Tales of Halloween, Books, Halloween, Interviews, Reviews1 Comment

“God kills, and so shall we; indiscriminately He takes the richest and the poorest, and so shall we; for no creatures under God are as we are, none so like Him as ourselves, dark angels not confined to the stinking limits of hell but wandering His earth and all its kingdoms.”

Anne Rice’s achievement in this book, among other things, was to bring vampires into a more modern context. It’s also such a well-written book that even people who don’t normally care for horror will find themselves up late turning the pages of this tale. The story of Louis and Lestat is well known by genre fans by now, but in 1976, it was something new and different. What would it be like if a vampire were stalking modern day America? How would such a creature survive? They’re immortal, after all, so what would a vampire’s life trajectory look like? How would it navigate society without causing alarm?

Rice set out to answer these and many other questions about her antihero, and readers responded to the tune of eight million copies sold; Rice has sold over 100 million copies of her other works, including the rest of the Vampire Chronicles, which this book spawned.

I really enjoyed the way this one got into the details of vampire life and the day-to-day troubles of such creatures. For example, when unable to find human prey, they’ll kill whatever small animals are at hand, including rats. Gross, and also not something I would have considered.  But what really made this book work for me was the relationship between Louis and Lestat. Since vampires live forever, they eventually have disagreements with one another and fall out, which makes perfect sense. In a way they are tragic figures, though they’re predators. Doomed to live forever and have no one truly know them, they form intense bonds with each other, but eventually things go wrong. Immortality in this world is more like a curse.

Interview was made into a successful movie, and more recently, a television show, as well as comic adaptations. Rice went on to write many more books in her Vampire Chronicles until her death in 2021.

A Night in the Lonesome October, by Roger Zelazny (1993)

On By Christopher TuthillIn 31 Tales of Halloween, Books, Fantasy, Halloween1 Comment

This novel is a wonderful seasonal treat by the legendary Zelazny. Each of the chapters is a night in October, told from the point of view of Snuff, a dog who is the companion of Jack the Ripper. Sherlock Holmes, Dracula, Dr. Frankenstein, the Wolfman, and various other spooky characters haunt the pages of this book, each with an animal familiar, all playing a game that will determine the fate of humanity. I found this book to be a tremendously appealing conceit, such a fun read and so well told. If this kind of story sounds appealing to you, do not delay: sit back, relax, pour yourself a cup of tea and enjoy it by the fire–you won’t be disappointed. If it doesn’t sound appealing to you, that makes me sad and I’d encourage you to try it anyway.

Short Story, ‘Chess Match’

On By Christopher TuthillIn Short Stories, writingLeave a comment

A new story of mine, Chess Match, was just published in the October issue of Black Sheep: Unique Tales of Terror and Wonder. It’s a tale of an ancient being living in our world, who must face down an old adversary. Check it out, and let me know what you think.

31 Tales of Halloween

On By Christopher TuthillIn 31 Tales of Halloween, Books, Halloween, Reading, Short Stories, Young AdultLeave a comment
‘The Halloween Tree,’ by Ray Bradbury, 1964

October has long been my favorite month. I love Christmas, too, as well as every other holiday that affords me time to spend with my children. But there’s always been something special about October 31. As a child, I knew Halloween was a night devoted to kids, where magical things happened, where you had a bit of independence to go out with friends and have a grand time. The costumes, the folklore, the changing of the seasons, all add warmth and wonder to this grand day. My own children have enabled me to experience these feelings again. It is so fun enjoying the fall with them: decorating the house, creating costumes, getting ready. The anticipation of it, the colors and sounds and stories, are almost better than the day itself.

The stories are the things that really animate it for me. The list of writers I admire in this season is almost endless, but it begins somewhere around Shakespeare and continues into the present. Shelley, Poe, Hawthorne, Stoker, Lovecraft, Jackson, Bradbury—my list goes on and on. The only thing that stops me from reading all these authors constantly is lack of time.

This October, time permitting, I intend to have a project on this blog, where I write some thoughts about some of my very favorite tales in the genre. I can’t promise I’ll do so every day, though that is the goal. Certainly, I’ll do a post weekly, or every couple of days. These posts aren’t meant to be comprehensive, scholarly, or to offer some kind of profound critique. It’s mostly just for me, to write up thoughts and impressions and appreciation of these tales that affected me: why I like them so much, how they work, why I have such affection for them, in that vein. Hopefully I’ll add to the catalog throughout the year, with other seasonal tales. Maybe some readers out there feel the same way about some of these stories. My hope is to document some of my very favorite books and stories, and perhaps turn some readers out there onto some tales they may have overlooked, or never heard of. There are a great number of unappreciated stories out there that ought to have more attention, in my view.

So, I’ll see how it goes. If you’re a like minded reader, I hope you join in the fun by commenting or offering your own thoughts.

I’ll probably begin early, before October 1, with some other seasonal type stories to get started. I’ll throw in some children’s stories that I’ve been reading with my family as well.

I’ll post more soon. I hope those reading this enjoy the season. I plan to be outside as much as possible in the next six weeks, to enjoy the beauty of fall, before it gets too cold and the leaves are gone.

Happy Autumnal equinox. Enjoy your fall!

“You Got Books”

On By Christopher TuthillIn BooksLeave a comment

On the occasion of my birthday, my four year old son brought me a package he’d wrapped himself, and proudly announced: “You got books, dad. They’re your favorite thing.” He dutifully unwrapped them, commenting on how nice they were, and handed them to me one by one. Even better, he gave me a card he’d written himself, his eyes shining with pride, grinning from ear to ear. He wants to read them with me and play the boardgame I got, too. He’s a keeper.

The King of Dogwood Street, Chapter Three

On By Christopher TuthillIn Books, Comedy, Reading, writingLeave a comment

In the last installment of The King of Dogwood Street, (a comedy of good, evil, and home improvement), Billy Joe had a day of reckoning when the police showed up to put an end to his drunken property destruction.

In chapter three, he and his dimwitted buddy, Travis, are in the town lockup trying to figure out where it all went wrong. Will they escape? What charges might they face? Will they drive their arresting officer crazy? And will Billy ever overcome his hangover? Read on to find out!

Chapter ThreeDownload

If you missed previous installments, you can find them below:

New Project
Chapter 1, Part 2
The King of Dogwood Street, Chapter Two

Rings and Other Things

On By Christopher TuthillIn Reviews, Science Fiction, TolkienLeave a comment

 In the past few years, whenever a sci fi, comic book, or fantasy media property comes out with something new, and someone has the incredible nerve to criticize it, whether it’s Martin Scorcese saying they’re not cinema, or some obscure blogger like me saying “hey I thought that was not good,” I’ve heard some version of “Be quiet and let people enjoy things” in defense of such media offerings. To which I say an emphatic, “fair enough!” since everyone is free to enjoy whatever they wish, no matter how vapid.

What’s unusual about some of the superfan accounts that social media algorithms have been pushing at me lately are the accusations of racism, ‘toxic fandom’ or other charges levied at people who have valid criticisms of these movies and shows. The last time I checked, film and media criticism have long provided a valuable service. Nothing is above criticism or interpretation, as any good writer knows.

 You can criticize something you’ve grown up with and enjoyed for decades without being ‘toxic’ or racist about it. I understand there are some white nationalists around who hated the new star wars and rings of power simply because they hate the diverse casts. Any normal person disavows this stuff.

But when I see constant fawning praise for fairly lame, mediocre offerings from gigantic, multinational, multibillion-dollar entities, and constant defense of such middling fare, and cries of outrage aimed at anyone who dares to say they don’t like it, I don’t understand. Are we not allowed to say we think Rings of Power is lousy? Because, let me tell you my friends, it is a total slog, a huge disappointment, despite the great cast and expensive effects and everything else. I disliked it and gave up after 3 episodes. I don’t read Tolkien to watch a dwarf scream at Elrond for missing his wedding, an exchange which I found to be unintentionally hilarious. Nor do I read his works to see Steven Seagal type characters beating people senseless, breaking arms and legs and uttering lame, action movie kinds of one-liners in a brutal fistfight. No thanks, amazon. Have fun, those of you who enjoy such things. People can enjoy whatever they wish, it makes no difference to me.

Don’t get me wrong, I like plenty of junk. Bad TV and film have an illustrious history. One of my favorite things to watch is Rifftrax, a hilarious program that takes special delight in poking fun at bad movies and television. However, I don’t make lengthy videos breaking down each Rifftrax episode and telling people how great it is and insisting that people who don’t see the value in it are toxic, because that would be an incredible waste of my time. It’s enough that I enjoy it. But then, I’m not seeking to have millions of fans following me for new Rifftrax content. Nor do I  wish to be a Rifftrax influencer or to monetize my enjoyment of Rifftrax. I just want to laugh and have a good time. But that’s just me, and to each their own.

Now, a group of fans riffing Rings of Power? That I would watch and enjoy, along with a big bowl of popcorn.

The King of Dogwood Street, Chapter Two

On By Christopher TuthillIn Comedy, writing1 Comment

As promised, here is chapter two of my novel, The King of Dogwood Street, a neighborly comedy of good, evil, and home improvement.

When we last saw our heroes, they were in conflict with a drunken neighbor Billy Joe, who was challenged by Rex, a strange newcomer. Enraged by his defeat, Billy sought vengeance in the form of petty vandalism.

In Chapter two, the police arrive to the scene of the crime, and Billy must fight both his own stupidity and his hangover to avoid charges. The rest of he neighborhood happily watches the drama unfold. Read on!

Chapter TwoDownload

If you missed the first chapter, it’s also uploaded on the blog for your reading enjoyment– please see the links below. If you enjoy it please share and let me and others know what you think.

Chapter 1, Part 2

https://christuthill.wordpress.com/2024/06/19/new-project/

Chapter 1, Part 2

On By Christopher TuthillIn Comedy, Fantasy, writing2 Comments

In the opening of my new story, we met the denizens of Dogwood Street, a suburban neighborhood, including:

Billy Joe, a drunken reprobate

Simon, a professor

Rex, a strange newcomer who has moved into an abandoned house

Rex has arrived in the midst of Billy Joe’s noisy, drunken stupor, and put an end to it. In the next part of the story, the conflict is ramped up…read on!

Chapter 1, Part iiDownload

If you missed part one, here is the link.

New Project

On By Christopher TuthillIn Comedy, Fantasy, Halloween, Summer, writing7 Comments

Here’s the start of something I’ve been working on for awhile. It was supposed to be out this fall, but my plans fell through, and I’ve been looking for a new publisher.

This one is a dark fantasy/comedy about a neighborhood gone bad. Think ‘The ‘Burbs’ meets Haunting of Hill House, with a touch of Something Wicked This Way Comes. I’ll be sharing chapters of it here in the coming weeks.

If you enjoyed what you read, please comment and let me know, and share it.

And Happy Solstice!

Chapter One, Part iDownload