Favorite Selection from GRIMSCRIBE
 

This is the second of three polls constructed to instigate discussion regarding specific stories by Ligotti. Be sure to comment when voting!

Maybe I'm just in an overly-shadowy mood, but I just HAD to vote for "The Shadow at the Bottom of the World." This was nearly an impossible decision, though, and I could have easily voted for "Nethescurial" (which also, of course, is very similar in theme and content--I'm willing to bet that my good friend Matt went with "Nethescurial").

What about "TSatBotW" won me over? Well, I've only seen first person plural used effectively in two stories: Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily" and this one. And both of those pieces are two of the best representations of the short story in the English language. I've actually tried writing a tale using an entire community (or group) as the protagonist, and I found it utterly impossible (though not surprising since I'm at best a mediocre writer of fiction). Nonetheless, it is my opinion that only a master can pull a story off in that tricky first person plural. And "TSatBotW" represents Ligotti at one of his most masterful heights.

I very much agree with what you say about it the difficulty of pulling off a collective first-person perspective, but I wonder why this is so. Could it be because we're being made to identify with a point-of-view that can easily run the risk of being a "static" character? (In the sense that the collective's individual traits must be "flattened" in order for a unified voice to be able to speak.)

+++++

Anyway, that aside, I voted for "Nethescurial." Matt has done a wonderfully incisive analysis of it that shows the horror escalating in this story as it moves from section to section, all the way until the ending.

And pace Joshi, it is rather reminiscent of "The Call of Cthulhu" to the point where I'd echo the sentiment that Ligotti's tale updates Lovecraft's. It does this by bringing out the self-referentiality common in contemporary fiction, without compromising its bleak tone with a Scream-type wink.

It may be a cliche to refer to certain stories as having a strong emotional AND intellectual impact, but it's highly appropriate for describing what happens to me every time I read "Nethescurial."

+++++

"The Shadow at the Bottom of the World" and "The Last Feast of Harlequin" deserve all the attention given to them, but I'd also like to mention a few of my "runners-up."

"The Spectacles in the Drawer" and "The Cocoons": In contrast to much of Ligotti's other works, these two stories involve beasties of some sort, and yet it doesn't seem like "merely" a monster story. Don't get me wrong; I love monster stories as well, but Ligotti's source of dread is of a more abstract kind that I think still shines through in these two relatively more visceral pieces.

Finally, "The Night School" and "The Glamour" are both stories which have a personal significance for me, since I teach film studies for a living. Taken together, those two stories hit very close to home. I sometimes see the former as some sort of warning about what kind of teacher I should NOT be (!), while I've used the latter in class when discussing the power of the cinema.

I'm going to end things on this point, because I think I could go on and on.

"The Glamour" was picked by John Pelan to represent the best 1991 story in his forthcoming Century's Best Horror Fiction. So it must be his favourite in this collection.

Personaly, I voted for The Shadow at the Bottom of the World. Perhaps because it was the first story by Ligotti I have read (when it was online in the first version of TLO), but perhaps not...

Just browsing around and found your comments on TSATBOTW. You don't know how pleased I am that the first Ligotti story you ever read was online at TLO. To me, it completely validates the original (and, still, primary) purpose of this website: to expose readers to Ligotti's exceptional work (and mind). Very happy you mentioned this.

OTOH, TSATBOTW is certainly (to my mind) one of Ligotti's top five stories to date (perhaps top three). Matt Cardin has an excellent essay concerning this story in the Resources section of TLO (if you haven't already read it).

"Nethescurial" for me. This magnificent piece of pessimistic fiction neatly summarizes my personal view of the Universe's nature as I had it even before I discovered Ligotti.

Followed then by "The Shadow at the Bottom of the World".

More opinions!
Last Feast of the Harlequin: Wow! Prime stuff, and truely disturbing. When I realised who the "Middle-eastern community" was I was very pleased. Brava!
The Spectacles in the Drawer: Another classic. Truely chilling. Disillusionment. . .or not? The image of an Inanna's Web of blood is beautiful and horrific.
The Flowers of the Abyss: Excellent imagery. The fact that you never find out what happened to the family makes it all the more unsettling.
Nethescurial: My second Ligotti, and one I am very fond of. The same "ichor" and "inner darkness" concept as in TSatBotW.
The Mystics of Muelenburg: Peculiar, but enjoyable. Forecast shows grey skys over Muelenburg tonight :wink:.
The Dreaming in Nortown: I liked this one a lot. Similar concepts to those in Mrs. Rinaldi's Angel.
In the Shadow of Another World: Very nice piece of work. Dimensions overshadowing ours is a concept that has always intrigued me.
The Cocoons: Really creepy idea. In the weird department, our nightmare come pretty close Wink. Fine tale.
The Night School: Cosmic filth! Cloacal forces! Mouldering sewage of dying stars! ENDLESS FILTH! (No, not the story Wink.)
The Glamour: One freaky femme fatale. Good story.
The Library of Byzantium: Monks, fallen cities, no verified supernatuality, and a genuine Ligottian feel to it.
Miss Plarr: A very good story, but a tad flawed.
The Shadow at the Bottom of the World: An honest to Nethescurial classic with a harrowing yet relieving ending. Autumnal also shows Tom's unique love for the ginger season, making it a fine companion.
All in all, an excellent collection. Oh, gotta rest my reviewer's. . something. See you!

Re: Favorite Selection from GRIMSCRIBE
 

I have to choose "The Night School". I enjoy the idea of a teacher returning with hidden knowledge that reveals a filthy, ugly universe that has no regard for human's plans and hopes. It's a fine selection.

Re: Favorite Selection from GRIMSCRIBE
 

I'm in the process of re-reading Grimscribe now, so my opinion may change by the time I get to the front of the book (I'm reading the stories in reverse order), but I'd have to vote for "The Library of Byzantium". This was one of the first TL stories to put a deep hook in me, and on re-reading, I find it as powerful as ever.

If anyone out there has read the Jorge Luis Borges story "The Library of Babel", the parallels between that tale and "The Library of Byzantium" are fascinating, and probably not accidental.

The theme of salvation through suffering that lies at the heart of "The Library of Byzantium" can be read in so many ways, which is why I find myself so drawn to this story. The infinite book on loan to Fr. Sevich is reflective of the story's own wealth of permutations and interpretations.

TL is a true master of the short story in English, and I can't help but think that "The Library of Byzantium" is one of his great accomplishments. If nothing else I find this story truly unforgettable and endlessly thought-provoking. "Haunting" is only the tip of the iceberg in the case of this story - it really has a much deeper impact, at least for me. Any artist that can reach me at that level is on to something.

Re: Favorite Selection from GRIMSCRIBE
 

First among equals!
It's impossible to pick just one story.
I voted for the Night School, because it reminded me of why I spent seven years in grad school (going for a phd in math - shades o' Walter Gilman). Now that I think about it, I already want to change my vote.