Another new anthology of interest is Folk Horror Revival: Field Studies, apparently currently available only from Lulu (trade paperback, $20.28, ISBN 978-1326376376). It is an odd hodge-podge of articles and interviews concerned with various types of "folk horror," often film-related but also encompassing music, folklore and literature. Of general interest are the interviews, although many are shorter than one could wish for, even if they are mostly original. Those interviewed include writers Kim Newman, Philip Pullman and Thomas Ligottti (note that the Ligotti interview by Neddal Ayad dates from 2004, and also appears in Matt Cardin's excellent 2014 collection Born to Fear: Interviews with Thomas Ligotti). Others include artist Alan Lee, director (of The Wicker Man) Robin Hardy, and Simon Young, the driving force behind the current manifestation of the Fairy Investigation Society. There are a couple of articles by Adam Scovell on Nigel Kneale (Beasts, and Quatermass II), and John Coullthart on the (sadly neglected) dramas of David Rudkin, and Jim Moon on M.R. James. Plus many more items of interest.This hefty trade paperback (nearly 500 pages) offers much to enjoy, but the fact that each article is formatted in a different way—some are double-spaced, though most are not; some have spaces between paragraphs, though most do not—shows an unfortunate lassez-faire to the design and editorship.
I reproduce below the three pages comprising the table of contents so one can see what else is in this volume. (Click on them to make them bigger.)
What an interesting collection. Even a piece on Brian Eno. I wouldn't have expected that. Thanks for the great posts Doug.
ReplyDeleteI had seen this book posted on John Coulthart's blog, and it is an excellent book containing essays on numerous favourite writers of mine, including Nigel Kneale and David Rudkin, two masters of pagan phantasy and horror.
ReplyDeleteThe collection is very uneven. There is plenty of good research and analysis throughout, but there is really poor quality control. I understand there aren't many academics studying folk horror, but I'm sure there are better essay than some of these. Now, I am not bashing the entire collection. More than half of the essays are fantastic, fun, and engaging (which definitely makes it worth purchasing), but unevenness might leave you disappointed. The size of the tome is impressive, but a slimmer, more succinct volume might have proven more effective. Also, the odd formatting, grammar mistakes, and misspellings throughout starts to discredit the seriousness of the editors.
ReplyDeleteI agree with pretty much everything you've said. On the whole there is enough of interest that I'm glad ot have the volume.
DeleteHi Thank You for the review of Field Studies, some valid points noted but it should be remembered that it is a book that was done as a fun project created by non-professionals entirely unpaid in their spare time as a charity fundraiser.
ReplyDelete100% of sales from the book are charitably donated to the Wildlife Trusts,
So yes there are odd typos and some design formatting issues (that was due to conversion processes) but not really any more than a lot of small presses, some major publishing houses and newspapers and many online blogs.
So bearing that in mind it is a work I think all contributors should be proud of and it has made much needed money for environmental protection projects.
I understand what you are saying, but having put in all that work to get 95% of the way, why do you think that you shouldn't be criticized for failing to do the last 5% of copy-editing and design? I say this in good will, but I stand by it as a criticism. Just because other small presses are sloppy isn't a reason to follow their sloppiness. Set a higher standard. I look forward to your future works.
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