Punch and Judy

I finally got around to reading "Punch and Judy" by Frederick Cowles. I thought it was decent.


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On an outside note, I believe that tragicomedy for Durrenmatt simply meant God was no longer in the audience applauding LOL.
 
"Punch and Judy" features prominently in The Wanderer by Timothy Jarvis. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LWFKW82/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
 
Trau said:
"Punch and Judy" features prominently in The Wanderer by Timothy Jarvis.
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Here is an interview with Timothy Jarvis. He discusses his influences, weird fiction, writing, and his novel. (No spoilers). At the end of the video he reads from The Wanderer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyHZspBgQMY

You searched for timothy jarvis | Weird Fiction Review


It goes without saying that D.P. Watt should also be mentioned in this thread.

The Transfiguration of Mister Punch

D.P. Watt and the Surreal: | Weird Fiction Review
 


I recently found this Aeron Alfrey print. I can't remember how this came about. Does anyone remember?

Three essential books for fans of Punch and Judy:

Punch and Judy: A Short History with the Original Dialogue by John Payne Collier. Illustrated by George Cruikshank.

Punch And Judy, A History by George Speaight

The Punch and Judy Show: History, Tradition, and Meaning by Robert Leach
 
bendk said:


I recently found this Aeron Alfrey print. I can't remember how this came about. Does anyone remember?

Three essential books for fans of Punch and Judy:

Punch and Judy: A Short History with the Original Dialogue by John Payne Collier. Illustrated by George Cruikshank.

Punch And Judy, A History by George Speaight

The Punch and Judy Show: History, Tradition, and Meaning by Robert Leach
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Sorry I missed this a couple months back.

This print was sent out to Grimscribe Press patrons. It was a piece of art commissioned for a cover of VASTARIEN, but we ended up using a different Alfrey piece based on one of the short stories in that issue instead.

Notably, the prompt for the piece above was from the Puppets in the Park section of Ligotti's "Nethescurial."
 
Dr. Locrian said:
Sorry I missed this a couple months back.

This print was sent out to Grimscribe Press patrons. It was a piece of art commissioned for a cover of VASTARIEN, but we ended up using a different Alfrey piece based on one of the short stories in that issue instead.

Notably, the prompt for the piece above was from the Puppets in the Park section of Ligotti's "Nethescurial."
Click to expand...

Thanks for clearing that up. I know what you are referring to. I had a t-shirt made with this image from the same scene. This was a piece of art accompanying the story when it was reprinted in Finland. (I think). I don't know the artist, but I love the art.

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9781907222573


The essay "The Myth of Punch" by Count Stenbock is in the book Of Kings and Things. I'm not sure if I am allowed to post the text which is six pages. I did have Claude AI summarize it:


This text discusses "The Myth of Punch," a character from traditional puppet theater. Here's a summary of the key points:

1. The author introduces four great subjects in world literature: Faust, Tannhäuser, Don Juan, and Punch.

2. Punch is described as a character that appears in various forms across Europe and the East, known by different names like Petrushka, Caspar, and Karagueuz.

3. The text explores different versions of Punch from various cultures:
- The Italian Punch is relatively harmless.
- The Russian Punch (Petrushka) is friendly but kills his audience.
- The Oriental Punch is described as obscene.
- The German (Bavarian) Punch has encounters with the Devil.

4. The English Punch is the main focus. The author describes a typical Punch performance:
- Punch initially appears amiable, greeting the audience and showing affection for his wife and baby.
- The story takes a dark turn when Punch throws his baby out the window and kills his wife.
- Punch goes on a killing spree, murdering various characters including a beadle and a doctor.
- Only Joey the clown escapes Punch's violence.

5. The performance culminates with Punch facing justice:
- He is sentenced to hang but tricks the hangman and escapes.
- Punch defeats the Devil himself.
- The story ends with Punch triumphant, but the author notes, "it is the Devil who laughs last."

6. The text analyzes the meaning behind Punch's character, suggesting it represents the triumph of evil and the diabolic, while also noting the audience's conflicted sympathy for Punch despite his actions.

7. The author reflects on the origins and evolution of the Punch drama, comparing it to other mythical characters and noting its appeal to children despite its dark themes.

This text discusses the paradoxical nature of humor, particularly concerning the character Punch. The author explores why people find amusement in something as horrific as Punch's violent actions. Key points include:

1. The author questions why a hideous creature killing people is considered amusing.

2. They suggest that laughter serves as a coping mechanism for the horrors and disappointments of the world.

3. Humor is described as a way to soften the harshness of reality, likened to "blue-bottle flies which are born of putrefaction."

4. The text argues that as society becomes more corrupt, its sense of humor increases.

5. The author posits that the Punch-drama, despite seeming trivial, actually illustrates a profound and terrible idea - "the triumph of absolute evil" presented as entertainment for children.

6. The passage concludes by asserting that this subject, when deeply considered, is more terrible than other serious topics due to its nature as a source of laughter for children despite its dark themes.



Paul Rumsey
 
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"4. The text argues that as society becomes more corrupt, its sense of humor increases."

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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