Biblio-Curiosa is a new zine devoted to “unusual writers and strange books”. Chris Mikul, the editor, kindly sent me the first four issues, and they certainly live up to the journal’s aims. They feature some distinctly eccentric and peculiar titles and plots, chiefly in the field of popular thrillers, occult romances and the fantastic, with striking colour illustrations of the often equally bizarre book covers and dustwrappers.
The first issue, for example, features The Fangs of Suet Pudding (1944) by Adams Farr, set during the German invasion of France: Chris calls it “idiosyncratic and strangely endearing”. But two other titles he covers, The Pepsi-Cola Addict, and Hodgson’s Tales of Medical Students, are not far behind in the somewhat unusual category, while a longer essay on the life and work of Hanns Heinz Ewers covers more recognised literary ground.
Amongst the mysterious but fairly recently rediscovered authors surveyed in Biblio-Curiosa are Todd Robbins (issue 3) and Mark Hansom (issue 4), and this last issue also offers an excellent study of what is arguably Richard Marsh’s second greatest novel, The Joss. Connoisseurs of the truly recondite and outré, however, will also enjoy reading of Zalma by T. Mullet Ellis (issue 2) and in particular The Ferocious Fern (1943) (issue 3) by C.B. Pulman, a book of stories with a Triffid-esque theme.
Biblio-Curiosa is available from Chris Mikul at P O Box K546, Haymarket, NSW 1240, Australia, or via cathob[at]zip[dot]com[dot]au.
I don't recommend searching for Biblio-Curiosa on the net. You'll find a lot of sites interested in “unusual writers and strange books”, but a rather different kind of strangeness..
ReplyDeleteWhile it is certainly nice to see independent journals pop up with greater frequency as weird/strange fiction attracts a larger readership, it would be even nicer to see an increase in publishers willing to reprint these often elusive books. Print-on-demand and ebook editions are all very well, but editions(even e-editions) with better, thoughtful production values would be so much better. An unfortunate problem I encounter after reading such enjoyable weird fiction journals, Wormwood being the best, is that I simply cannot find copies of some of the tantalizing books discussed. Phyllis Paul comes to mind, especially. After reading so many well-written and mouth-watering articles about her work, I feel as if I know and love it. Sadly, I have only been able to find and read one of her books, and a rather sad reprint at that. I would love to splurge on her first editions, but her books may be some of the most elusive of the twentieth century.
ReplyDeleteIf Mark Valentine stands behind the quality and integrity of this new zine, I certainly trust his opinion, but Mr. Mikul should establish a website if he wants to attract more readers. As charmingly old-fashioned as a printed zine one orders via a post office box on the other side of the world or email address may be, an established website lends a greater sense of reliability and permanence.
Sounds very interesting but I concur with Anon above. If you want to feed my interest, make the mag. more accessible.
ReplyDelete