Platypus of Truth

This post is edited from a letter on Hope Mirrlees' Lud in the Mist First, thanks for passing on "Lud in the Mist". It's the kind of book I'm constantly hunting for and have increased trouble finding lately (Phantasties, Idylls of the King, The Last Unicorn, Lovecraft's Dream Cycle, The Queen of Elfland's Daughter, anything by William Morris, and the short stories of Clark Ashton Smith having already been encountered). There are very few books that I read at a positively leisurely pace for pure pleasure anymore and this was one of them. Second, I'm a historian and connector by nature and training, so I often access a book by linking it in with everything I've already read and letting my thoughts whirl like the music of the spheres. It seems like to immediately jump in to discussing Lud like that does violence to the Art. I feel the same way about Phantastes. I don't even know if Phantastes can be discussed in that way. Hope Mirrlee

My wife and I are reading Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House" in preparation for eventually watching the Netflix TV series together. This is my second time through the book, and I am seeing more of the thousand links between the sparse and controlled world of the book and the sweeping scope of the series. Even though Flanagan radically changed the book in adapting it, it is clear that he knows his source cover to cover and has a fine appreciation of even the smallest details. I would love to see an adaptation theory class discuss the book and the series. In the meantime, my own horror offering was rejected, but once things settle down a little here I will have to try again.

An Epic Fragment Where now is Ahura Mazda When the kings of Commagne Go to war? Like the bridges of brave Artaxaca That lie on the cold ocean floor The name of the God is forgotten, The fires of the temple you seek, Are replaced with a piece of cold marble, Zeus, thunder god of the Greeks. But the gods of the Greeks shall All perish, The one God arise as before, The cross of the Christ of Armenia, Rides above the brave banners Of war. So sang the old hero bravely As his fingers warmed to the strings, And his music rang down in the valley, In the tents of the bold Roman kings.

Well, I have submitted a short story for potential publication. I have no idea what its chances are of being accepted, but it was fun to give it a try. I enjoy folklore, and this piece, The Devil and Cotton Mather  was fun to write and fun to read. If it doesn't find a home this time round, hopefully I can try again soon. Wish me luck!