Andrew Barger's Blog

I recently attended "The Mirror Crack'd" play at the Asolo Repertory Theatre in beautiful Sarasota, Florida. The acting was top-notch and the set was exemplary, both of which the denizens of Sarasota have come to expect from the Asolo. "The Mirror Crack'd" is originally Agatha Christie's classic Miss Marple mystery novel, originally published in 1962 in the UK as The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side (and in the US as The Mirror Crack'd ). The title draws from Alfred Lord T

Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) wrote scary stories in a number of supernatural genres. He did not invent the horror short story, but he took it to unbelievable heights as he did with science fiction stories. Poe penned ghost stories, too. He was the first to invent a closed room murder mystery (The Murders in the Rue Morgue of 1841) and a founding father of science fiction short stories. Poe also was the first to take us inside the head of a crazy man in The Tell-Tale Heart of 1

Review of The Postman Only Rings Twice by James Cain Frank Chambers is a criminal thug who has been through a string of Southern California jail cells. In between prison visits he tries to get a little cash by working odd jobs such as picking crops or busing tables. When he jumps off the back of a truck and comes across the diner/gas station run by Nick Papadakis and his beautiful young wife Cora, he finagles a low-paying job without many questions asked. Frank and Cora hit

Vampires have long captivated the human imagination, embodying fears, desires, and cultural anxieties across centuries. Their presence in folklore and literature is rich with symbolism and superstition. As I explore the history of vampire myths, I find it essential to separate fact from fiction and understand how these legends evolved. This journey reveals not only the origins of vampire tales but also the social and psychological contexts that shaped them. The History of Vam

Edgar Allan Poe remains a towering figure in American literature, particularly in the realms of gothic and horror fiction. His works continue to captivate readers and scholars alike, offering a rich tapestry of themes, styles, and psychological depth. In this post, I will share critical insights into Poe's writings, exploring his unique narrative techniques, thematic concerns, and lasting influence. This analysis aims to deepen understanding and appreciation of Poe's literary

The literary impact of Johann Goethe's 1774 novel The Sorrows of Young Werther cannot be underestimated. It was the second Gothic novel, appearing a decade after the first: Horace Walpole's The Castle of Otranto . Following this, The Old English Baron was published in 1778, and The Mysteries of Udolpho came in 1794. In 1796, The Monk was released, and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein followed in 1818. In this latter work, the unloved monster finds a worn copy of The Sorrows o

It's not often that I post a review of one of my books in its entirety. In fact, I never do. Nicola Manning, however, published one of the most well thought out reviews of The Best Ghost Stories 1800-1849 anthology that I edited. I agree with her on most points (Washington Irving excepted). You can follow all her reviews on GoodReads . They are worth your time. "Reason for Reading: I have a particular interest in the Gothic story and my favoured literature time period is the

The Hound of the Baskervilles remains one of the most celebrated works in gothic and detective fiction. Its blend of eerie atmosphere, suspenseful storytelling, and intricate character development has captivated readers for over a century. As I delve into this classic, I aim to provide a thoughtful exploration that highlights its enduring appeal and literary significance. This analysis will offer practical insights and detailed observations for those who appreciate the depth

Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu is perhaps the best ghost story writer to emerge from the Victorian Age. His ghost classics include The Familiar , Devereux's Dream , Madam Crowl's Ghost , An Authentic Narrative of a Haunted House  and A History of a Tyrone Family , which was included in The Best Ghost Stories 1800-1849 . And let's not forget his devil tales: The Drunkard's Dream  and The Fortunes of Sir Robert Ardagh  that are the foremost of their kind. Green Tea  is one of Fanu's m

In chronological order, this is my list of the top ten Gothic novels and short stories, published before 1850. 1. The Castle of Otranto (1764) 2. The Mysteries of Udolpho (1794) 3. The Monk (1796) 4. Frankenstein (1818) 5. The Vampyre (1819) 6. Melmoth the Wanderer (1820) 7. The Fortunes of Sir Robert Ardagh (1838) 8. The Fall of the House of Usher (1839) 9. Strange Event in the Life of Schalken the Painter (1839) 10. Wuthering Heights (1847) #GothicNovels #EarlyGoth

"Even the moon was embarrassed by the beauty of Barcelona."

Below is a solid list from Robert Smith of the songs that he most admires from the 1980s (excluding his own, of course). New Order's “Everything’s Gone Green” is my favorite along with “Persephone” (with it classic literary feels) and “Gigantic.” All three are unrelenting driving forces of the New Wave genre and are not to be missed. ABC, “Look of Love” The Associates, “Tell Me It’s Easter on Friday” David Bowie, “Let’s Dance” Kate Bush, “Cloudbursting” Cocteau Twins, “Persep

Edgar Allan Poe remains a towering figure in American literature, particularly in the realms of gothic and horror fiction. His works continue to captivate readers and scholars alike, offering a rich tapestry of themes, stylistic innovations, and psychological depth. In this post, I will share critical insights into Poe's oeuvre , exploring his narrative techniques, thematic concerns, and lasting influence. This analysis aims to deepen understanding and appreciation of Poe's c

The bleak midwinter is a time for ghosts like those found in the anthology: Best Ghost Short Stories 1850-1899: A Phantasmal Ghost Anthology . It contains the best ghost stories from the last half of the 19th century; shocking tales from popular American and Victorian authors. These are the finest ghost stories for the last half of the nineteenth century and they are combined in one haunting collection. The stories are annotated with background information, author photos and

If you have yet to read The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton, published in 1967, you might recognize it from the 1983 film directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The movie featured a star-studded cast including Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, and Matt Dillon. While the film brought the story to a wider audience, the novel itself holds a special place in literature, especially for young readers. This post explores why The Outsiders remains a beloved classic despite its focus on ga

The tale of Peter Rugg, the missing man, has intrigued readers and scholars of gothic and horror fiction for nearly two centuries. This enigmatic story, rooted in early American folklore, presents a haunting narrative of a man doomed to wander endlessly through the fog and streets, forever lost in time. As I delve into this story, I aim to provide a thoughtful and detailed analysis that uncovers the layers of meaning and cultural significance embedded in the legend of Peter R

Long before there were salt of the earth people getting instantly rich off the lottery, only to curse the windfall they had received, there was a tiny little nugget of a novel called The Pearl. The novel was published by John Steinbeck in 1947. The Pearl has been influential on popular singers. Below are a number of songs based on--or influenced by--The Pearl. "Angry"                 Matchbox 20          "Colored People"                  dc talk "Colors of the Wind"    

Years before the black raven was engrained into the minds of Americans as a reminder of lost love, another sable animal gained Poe fame. “ The Black Cat ” ranks as one of Poe’s best tales. Though Poe never owned a raven, he actually owned a black cat in 1840 when he published a short article entitled “Instinct vs. Reason.” Here is a snippet: The writer of this article is the owner of one of the most remarkable black cats in the world – and this is saying much; for it will be

Exploring the world of horror fiction has always been a captivating journey for me. The eerie atmosphere, the suspense, and the psychological depth of classic gothic tales hold a unique charm. For those who share this fascination, finding reliable platforms that offer quality horror stories without cost is essential. In this post, I will guide you through some of the best online horror story sources where you can immerse yourself in chilling narratives, including many forgott

In her debut novel, Ayn Rand has penned a masterpiece of literature simply titled, We the Living . The novel likely did more to weaken the early foundations of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.) than any waving of guns or thumping of politicians’ chests. This is why. A Deep Dive into We the Living Published in 1936, We the Living has it all—intrigue, one of the strongest female characters ever created in literature, and a tight plot that will leave readers gu