Books like From the Passages of Revenants

The design of this book was exquisite and added to the experience of reading this book immensely. It is clear that a lot of time and effort was spent on the design of the book itself, and it is quite handsome. As for the stories themselves they are very decent. As is the nature of anthologies there are stories that are stronger than others. With this collection in particular there is an overarching aesthetic and style that comes through when all the stories are taken together. Part of this effect is achieved through the very stylistic writing prose of this author. His influences, Edgar Allan Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, Lord Dusany, shine through. And although not necessarily as elegant as the names previously mentioned, he does manage to achieve his own concoction of a voice, which is a bit of an acquired taste... Those familiar with the floridity of Gothic prose will enjoy it. (It is quite remarkable that he is able to sustain it throughout all his stories, really.) I think it is quite obvious that many of these stories were inspired by dreams. The author himself seems to suggest as much through the opening dedication and the introduction to the book. And indeed, a lot of the stories have a dream logic that runs through them. However, as is the case with dreams, a lot of the ideas aren't really carried all the way through. As if there were a time limit to the stories and there is only so much that can be packed into each one. (I think this is due to the fact that these stories were first presented as podcasts.) This limits the scope of the stories and many interesting ideas end up being abandoned in just a couple of pages. Frequently, it felt like reading a bedtime story book, albeit a dark and sinister one. I found it an easy read, and even rationed out the stories to one a night to savour the style and aesthetic. I imagine others might find the florid prose harder to work through, but I do applaud the unique vision that was created through the stories in the book and the design of the book itself.