BigWords

It wasn't exactly groundbreaking at the time either, but the power of the characters have managed to elevate it above similar (though, IMHO, inferior novels) which were published in the era. I'm completely guessing here (not having any contemporary reviews to hand), but the notion that Dracula was, at some point, revolutionary is possibly erronious. The format of the novel is a staple of Victorian prose, the supernatural nature of the threat isn't unique, and most of the vampire lore that the story "introduces" has some basis in European lore anyway. None of that matters, because the imagery is strong enough to rise above any possible criticisms which could possibly be laid at the text. Slightly outside the remit of this thread, but I'll add the following anyway... When Nosferatu was released (1922) there was the distinct tinge of familiarity to Stoker's novel. So much so that it was the subject of legal intervention, and the film was threatened with complete destruction. It is interesting to note that the most effective appearance of vampirism on film was directly influenced by Stoker. Ignore the film adaptations from a strictly adaptive point of view - none come close to the story, even Coppolla's attempt.

Welcome to the BCF. There are plenty of horror fans here.

While the number of words can make the difference between a slim book and a large book, various editions of the exact same text can differ across printings due to paper weight, font size and the dimensions of the printable area. It can make it seem that older novels (in reprint form) are longer than they are thanks to a careful balance of heavier paper stock, slightly larger typeface and wider margins around the text. It isn't merely than word counts are rising (which they have been), but other factors are complicit in making books heavier.

There seems to be a small row of his books in every second hand bookshop in Fife, so it must be a regional distribution problem. I'm quite enjoying what I've read so far, but finding time to read seems to be almost impossible at the moment.

My favorite character is Harry Flashman, but beyond him my list would change on a weekly basis dependent on what I was reading, which adventures of the character were currently amusing me, and what my mood is like.

I'll watch anything with Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff, Bogey, Jimmy Cagney or Lon Chaney Jr. Sometimes I settle for a George Raft flick, but not so much these days with the ready availability of DVDs.

My thoughts on Indy are forever sullied by the (hopefully) final instalment of the franchise. Can't Georgie leave his characters well enough alone? I had a hard enough time with the three abominations that passed for Star Wars prequels... [insert long rant here]

Welcome to the BCF. Whilst I, along with other Browncoats, think of something altogether more tranquil.

You mean the bit where he ? The reason that is in the book is because he wrote himself into a corner and imagined that he had developed terrible writers' block, the only way he could see to proceed was to do something drastic.

From old pulp magazines you'll find various stories set in libraries (private and public), though I really can't face going through the list again. There are dozens of great stories uploaded, and I'll be reading all night if I start looking. I found something else whilst rooting through some boxes which were blocking the entrance to the spare room, but it's a graphic novel. It nearly fits the criteria for your list though - Hicksville by Dylan Horrocks. It's a collection of his previous work that unfolds the story of a journalist who is trying to trace the truth about the world's most succesful comic book artist. It was published back in 1998 by Black Eye, so it shouldn't be hard to track down a copy. There's also DMZ, which is about a journalist in a future America sorting out the truth from the lies as bullets fly around his head. Excellent storytelling and cool artwork, the first issue of which you can read here.

Whereas I could never deface... Uh... Personalize my books.

Welcome to the BCF. Lemon juice squirted in the eyes of annoying teenagers ranting about nothing in particular keeps them at bay. Which Black Library books are your favorites?

It was. There's another building which Dickens had in the area, but I never managed to track it down.

You wouldn't believe how many cool Alice stuff I have links for. Alice font (taken from the game American McGee's Alice) There are also dingbats of Tenniel's illustrations, but I don't seem to have that link on this laptop.

Ever so slightly off-topic... When I was down South back in the mid-nineties I went to Broadstairs to see Dickens House. The large white building is quite impressive, and when I stopped at the walkway around it (which is covered in shells from the beach a very short walk away) I saw a fox about five feet away from me. It came closer, probably wondering why I was dawdling and staring at the building, then jumped on the wall. That fox watched me as I continued on, and to this day I'm certain that the building has some kind of magic around it - not literal magic, just... An aura perhaps.

There is a good reason I don't like to read interviews that some authors give... Yes. Yes you do. It is almost as if he's ashamed of the fact that he's gone out and written novels within a big fantasy world.

Sad news indeed - Parker was one of the big hitters in eighties detective novels. I think it is fitting that he takes a little mystery with him. The revelation of Morse's name was a bit of a disappointment, so no single name could have pleased everyone had Parker decided to furnish the character with one. The books are all the better for the secret.

There's a short story called L'Index by Grant Morrison which appeared in one of the collections of Best New Horror (or something - I don't have it to hand) which is kinda, sorta, not-quite-but-close to what you are looking for. It's about the creation of an index to a book... Of sorts. Saying any more would spoil the story.

A small clarification - you're not intending to actually past the bookplates into your first editions are you? Please say you aren't...

I was in the Edinburgh FP to pick up the latest issue of Wizard (because bad habits die hard) and noticed that the shop is slowly turning into a hybrid toy shop / manga emporium. There are a small selection of books (all of them nice enough), but the manga and collected volumes of US comics far outweighs the books. Oh, and it no longer sells any old comics whatsoever... *grumbles*

Tenniel illustrations. I like the original art primarily because it is so recognizable. There have been better illustrators who have worked on the characters (and in better produced books over the years) though the original art is somehow more special. The paper quality of those early books is inferior, so the exact reprints (from the eighties?) are currently the best versions of the book available.

Welcome to the BCF. I vaguely remember hours of studying.

From his television appearances I get the impression of him being a bit too smug for his own good. It's like he's in on a joke and isn't going to share it, that half-grin never far away. It's only what I take away from his interviews and such, but I'm sure I'm not the only person to instantly take a dislike to him...