I have the pleasure of welcoming young adult author, Chris Priestley to the blog today who’s writing about his top five favourite scary novels. Chris is the author of many YA novels, including ‘The Dead of Winter‘ and ‘The Tales of Terror‘ series, which you have the chance of winning today by entering the fantastic giveaway at the end of Chris’s post, so make sure you enter!
So without further ado, please give a warm welcome to Chris…
Any list of favourite books is, by nature, temporary. But these are a few I think will always stay with me.
Tales of Mystery and Imagination – Edgar Allan Poe
I remember being quite shocked by Poe when I first read these stories. I had seen the Roger Corman adaptation of several a couple of them, but they did not prepare me for the weirdness of the actual tales. This is bizarre, hallucinogenic horror that, despite the florid language, seems very modern in its focus on the psychology of its characters – on their obsessions, anxieties and very dark desires.
The Haunting of Hill House – Shirley Jackson
I didn’t read The Haunting of Hill House until quite recently. The movie of the book has always been a favourite of mine, and is one of the example I have in my mind as a kind of model for much of what I have been trying to achieve with my recent work. But Shirley Jackson’s book is far more complex than the movie and is a superbly written. Both The Haunting and Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher were influences on my last book The Dead of Winter.
Ghost Stories of an Antiquarian – M R James
Like Shirley Jackson, I came to M R James via adaptations. His work was filmed for television in the 1970s by Lawrence Gordon Clark for the BBC’s Ghost Story at Christmas. The tales are stranger and darker than you might think if know them only by their cosy ‘traditional ghost story’ reputation. ‘A Warning to the Curious’ is one of his best and could almost stand as a theme for a lot of his work.
I am Legend – Richard Matheson
Is this a horror book or a sci-fi book? Actually, it’s neither and both. The writing is taut and though the scenario is fantastic (a man holding out against the mass victims of a kind of plague of vampirism) it is never less than horribly believable. Tense and nerve-jangling to the very end. Do not judge it by the dreadful Will Smith movie.
The Dunwich Horror – H P Lovecraft
H P Lovecraft is one of those writers whose name I obviously knew and whose work I was aware of, without actually having read anything by him. He is often cited as an influence by American writers of uncanny fiction. This book knocked me sideways when I read it – it is so strangely written. The opening passages are particularly good. As with Poe, (and Robert E Howard, another writer, like Lovecraft, whose work graced the pages of pulp magazines in the 1930s) there is something deranged – almost hysterical – about the prose style itself. But I mean that in a good way.
Thanks Chris!
GIVEAWAY
Thanks to the lovely peeps at Bloomsbury, I have TEN (10) sets of the following books to giveaway! NINE sets go to UK and ONE set INTERNATIONAL!
1. Tales of Terror from the Tunnel’s Mouth
2. Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror
3. Tales of Terror from the Black Ship
All you have to do to enter is the following:
1. Leave a comment for Chris
4. One entry per person
That’s it!
This giveaway ends 11th March 2011.
GOOD LUCK!
57 Comments
A combination of horror and sci-fi sounds great to me! Just the thing I love
! So yes yes yes I would love to read the books!!
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+JMJ+
If Poe, Jackson and Matheson are on this list of hauntingly influential reads, then Chris Priestly's Horror novels have got to be good! I'm now really, really excited about this giveaway and wonder why I've never heard of Chris before.
Chris, you acknowledge the adaptations as much as the original texts. Does that mean you're open to having your own books turned into films?
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The books sound great! I think I'd like to read them. I also like their idea.
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Birgit – if you haven't read I am Legend then you'll love it. It is a brilliant book.
Enbrethiliel – glad to make you acquaintance! I would love to have my work made into films. I have had the bit of interest but nothing has come to fruition yet. That said, I have some very firm interest in my last novel The Dead of Winter – someone wants to do something to TV.
And JerseyGirl22 – I hope you do get round to reading them – and I hope you like them!
Thanks for taking the time to leave comments. Nice to hear from you.
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What a great selection of favourites! I just read I am Legend again and was even more impressed than the first time around.
I've read and enjoyed Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror. Looking forward to reading more!
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Ohh these books sound great! I am a bit of a wimp when it comes to horror books but l love how it mixes with sci-fi!!
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ooh i'd love to win these!!!
bunny_hops@hotmail.co.uk
i love the spooky stories of M R James! When i hear Edgar Allan Poe, i always think of the tv series Tales of the Unexpected, which i loved!
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Fantastic book choices. I've been reading YA like a fiend and am hoping to win this series!
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+JMJ+
Hi, Chris! =D Thanks for your reply. I hope you don't mind a follow-up question.
Do you have any dream directors or actors for your books?
Good luck getting interest from the media people! =)
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These sound interesting – I love mysteries. Poe´s books are truly creepy and I´ve been wanting to read Matheson´s Legend for ages. I would love to participate in the giveaway.
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The movie of The Haunting of Hill House is really scary- that bit where the housekeeper smiles gave me the heebie jeebies- but it's definitely a classic movie. I was lucky enough to study the movie for an English coursework. But yeah, I hear it's very different from the book.
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I love The Haunting of Hill House. Traditional ghost stories are always the best. Your book list is what drew me to this post and now I really want to try your books.
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I really liked the I am Legend book. I really wish they would have stuck to it, with the movie.
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All wonderful sets. Count me in.
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As a librarian, I'm always looking for more horror, especially for teens! Thanks!
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Thanks for all the enthusiastic comments and glad you approve of the list. Glad you enjoyed Uncle Montague, Claudia. Hope you enjoy the others. I should say BooksforCompany that MY books don't really mix sci-fi with horror – although I do play around with time and some sci-fi conventions. I love that blurring between the genres that goes on with people like Ray Bradbury or Richard Matheson. And MR James is a bit of a hero of mine, Louise.
Good luck Stephanie! A dream director, Enbrethilie? I suppose at the moment it would be someone like Del Toro or Amenabar (who did The Others). Seesen – you should definitely read I am Legend – you won't regret it (and it is a real shame they changed it so much in the movie, Debbie).
The (original) Haunting movie is great Kulsuma. It's not so much that its different from the book as the book is better (just because there is more detail.
Excellent Tarah, thanks. And I like the idea of a librarian looking for horror, Ashley – there's a story in that. . .
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The combination if the genres; the sci-fi and horror sounds really intriguing, I don't believe I've read a book like this before! I do love a good horror novel though so would love to read it:)
Great list of books!
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Sounds great! The books have a really interesting mix of genres! Can't wait to read them.
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I just love Shirley Jackson. I recently read We Have Always Lived In the Castle and loved it. Poe's books are so atmospheric. The Dunwich Horror sounds just like my kind of book!
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I love your list, haven't tried James or Matheson's books yet, but they sound good.
faefever25@hotmail.com
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I've been wanting to read I Am Legend, I heard it was an amazing story.
And I have to agree with Birgit, a combo of horror and sci-fi sounds great
Thanks for the chance to win Chris' books
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I'm a huge fan of horror but never read those books:( Did you know that Richard Matheson had norwegian parents? That's kind of cool to think about. I'm norwegian as well and would love to read I am legend someday. I'm ashamed that I haven't done it yet
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You've just picked out most of my hubby's favourite authors in one post!
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I'd really like to read The Haunting of Hill House…I didn't realise it was a book (hangs head in shame) – the film scared me so I'm sure the book will be even worse!
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These books look great. Why do you write this sort of genre?
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OMGomgomgomgomgomgomg!! One set internationally – that's me!! Wohoo (lol)
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Love your picks. Tha Haunting of Hill House has long been one of my favorite books and movies. Forget the dumb remake with Catherine Zeta Jones, horrible movie.
I Am Legend is brilliant, though I've never like a movie version of it. The closet I came was Last Man On Earth with Vincent Price. The book has one of those endings that is brilliant and says so much about perspective.
I've read some Lovecraft but not the one you mentioned. I will have to give that a try.
Thank you for the giveaway (I'll be crossing my fingers)
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I love your picks, Chris! The Haunting of Hill House is one of my favourite novels.
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Great list! I really enjoy Poe and Lovecraft. Especially Poe's poetry
Ive yet to read Shirley Jackson have to get on that
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Thank you for taking the time out to talk to us. I'm glad you did as these books sound like the type of books i enjoy plus i'm always looking out for a new recommended Author.
I'm just sorry it's taken this long to fing you.
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These books sound really good are all fantastic choices.
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My daughter has read Chris Preistley and i will recommend his classic horror book choices for her to try in the future.
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I suppose with the way things are these days, it is to be expected that people will often have seen a movie adaption of a book before they ever read the printed version.
I tend to be the reverse but I have no problem with people seeing the movie first as long it does encourage them to read more.
Thanks for the giveaway and kudos to the publisher for offering one set to International entries. Much appreciated.
Carol T
buddytho {at} gmail DOT com
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Chris's books are loved at my school (secondary) and his WBD book with Philip Reeve is definitely the best!
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I love sci-fi and horror books. Please enter me in contest. I would love to win these books. Tore923@aol.com
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Thanks for the heads up on the other books as well as yours . I didnt realise Poe had written that one I will have to get hold of a copy.Were you young when you read it.??
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Thanks for the Lovecraft recommendation. I've been meaning to read his works, too. Actually he was not on my radar until recently. Cthulhu is what I've associated him with so far.
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This book appears to be amazing! I already put them on my wishlist, but It would be awesome if I win XDD
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I must admit I haven't read many horror novels, except those by Stephen King. I enjoyed them a lot.
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I love the covers on those books, look awesome!
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Lovecraft is incredibly weird o_0
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They all look like amazing reads! Definitely must add them to my to-be-read pile!
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I had wanted to read The Haunting of Hill House for years and finally got around to it last year. Sad to say, I was not impressed. I know, I know…everyone likes it, but it just wasn't for me. Now I loved I Am Legend, but probably my favorite horror book is Matheson's Hell House. Scared the 'you know what' out of me!
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The books seem really good, I just love horror stories!
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What a great selection of books – I haven't read any of them yet but I will time this year to do so!
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I've heard of all of these books, but haven't read them, but now I definitely will, so thanks for the recommendations!
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Too many comments to answer every one, but thanks for all the positive remarks and glad you like the list. A lot of Matheson and Jackson fans out there already, clearly. Hope you enjoy reading the ones you don't know if and when you get round to it.
And hope you enjoy my books too if you win or buy them. Nice to hear that a couple of you know my stuff already. Great to hear from you.
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Wicked. No wonder why Edgar Allan Poe is on everyone's list. His works are truly remarkable.
The others which I have not heard before, I'll probably add them to my to-read list now.
Cheers.
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I haven't read any of these but they are all going on my wishlist because they sound awesome! I love spooky, scary and creepy stuff and add in a bit of sci-fi…awesome! Thanks for the great giveaway!
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I love love love creepy and suspenseful books. I haven't read these, but they look amazing!
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I haven't been reading horror fiction for a while so I would love to try it.
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I would love to discover horror through these books !
anais.styling AT orange.fr
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Oh they all look like excellent books I need to pick up and read! I've been leery about I Am Legend because of the movie but I just might have to get it anyway.
thebookfaeryreviews AT gmail DOT com
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Never had a chance to read his books. Hopefully I'll read one soon.
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Your covers are beautiful, who did your art work?
Here's to hoping I'm the lucky international winner *finger crossed*
Jessica
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I love the covers first of all…second i really cant wait to read them
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I never usually read horror, but these books totally sound interesting.
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