A SEASON IN CARCOSA is a real-real cute anthology of short stories. Y’all should read it, unless you are like me, and you are completely unfamiliar with the works of a fellow named Robert W. Chambers. Or perhaps, especially if you are like me, and you are completely unfamiliar with the works of a fellow named Robert W. Chambers. I can’t decide.
To be honest with y’all, there are some stories in this book I didn’t totally understand, because they seem dependent upon my having read these so-called “king in yellow” stories, which clearly have something to do with a mask, and some lady in desperate need of a tanning bed. Oh, and a King of some country so poor that even he can’t afford to wear more than tattered clothes (all yellow). Like I said, I’ve not read those yellow stories, but this book makes me want to.
There are some stories, though, that stand alone and are good reads with or without references to everything I just wrote about in the previous paragraph. I really like “It Sees Me When I’m Not Looking” by Gary McMahon. The main guy drinks a lot of whiskey and engages in sexual activity, and sort of reminds me of Bukowski, which rocks. Joe Pulver’s “Not Enough Hope“ is super good. It has Karl Edward Wagner in it, which you don’t see every day. His story totally makes me want to change my name to Cassilda Sue. I dig Cate Gardner’s “Yellow Bird Strings.” It feels like a dream, plus it has puppets and celebrities. Who doesn’t dig puppets and celebrities? And I love Robin Spriggs’s “Salvation in Yellow.” This story is about a gal living in a nightmare house that’s totally haunted by Daddy and Jesus, which I think everyone can relate to. It’s filled with images (both terrifying and sad) that keep me up some nights, y’all, no matter how many Drambuie-Toddies I have. And isn’t that what reading stories is all about?
I totally recommend that y’all read A SEASON IN CARCOSA. It’s edited by German Joe Pulver, and I give it 9 knishes and 3 latkes.
Buy it here:
GILDA SUE ROSENSTERN 