Andrew Barger's Blog

If most people were asked what is Poe's most gothic poem, they would pick "The Raven." Those same people would be surprised to learn that "The Raven" is not even in the Top 3 of Poe's most gothic poems. Here are his most haunting poems in order: The Sleeper, Broadway Journal 1845 AT midnight, in the month of June, I stand beneath the mystic moon. An opiate vapour, dewy, dim, Exhales from out her golden rim, And, softly dripping, drop by drop, Upon the quiet mountain top, Stea

Throughout history, the figure of the vampire has fascinated and terrified people across cultures. These nocturnal creatures, often depicted as undead beings who feed on the blood of the living, have roots deeply embedded in folklore and superstition. As I have explored the subject, I have found that many ancient vampire superstitions reveal much about the fears and beliefs of past societies. This post aims to shed light on these historical vampire myths and the superstitions

In 1897 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle published his best jungle horror story called “The Fiend of the Cooperage.” It is one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s best horror stories along with “The Brazilian Cat.” The scary short story is also his only jungle horror tale. It's full of snappy dialogue a pervasive sense of hot, sticky dread. Arthur Conan Doyle (Hat) and Robert Barr (Left) As Richard Burton said in the November 14, 1908 issue of The Bellman’s Bookshelf , in reference to a Doyle

A few years back, Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize for literature. This came as a surprise to many seeing how the award appears based on his song lyrics that “created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition.” I, for one, gave pause and rubbed my chin. I have no issue with Dylan getting the award as some of my other author friends. His lyrics are poetical and speak to the human condition in pointed folkish terms. Raw emotion flows through them and exemplar

Vampires have long fascinated the human imagination, weaving their way through folklore, literature, and popular culture. Their mythos is rich with superstition, fear, and mystery. As I explore the history of vampire myths, I find it essential to understand how these legends evolved and what cultural fears they reflect. This exploration reveals not only the origins of vampire tales but also the superstitions that have shaped their enduring presence in gothic and horror ficti

Jack Kerouac writes like Jackson Pollock paints! He promulgated a slash-and-dash style of writing, a jittery style of writing, a caffeinated, alcohol-fused style of writing, that caused his characters to get caught up in their shoelaces and--though On the Road--made them go nowhere in particular no matter how many times they crisscrossed America. On the Road has very little plot and even less character generation of unique speech and idiosyncrasies. It may have been better if

After extensively researching forgotten journals and magazines of the early 19th century I was able to locate groundbreaking science fiction short stories in the English language. In doing so, I uncovered what is possibly the first science fiction story by a female (and it is not from Mary Shelley). There is also the first steampunk short story, which has not been republished since 1844. Oh, and the first voyage to the moon in a balloon, republished for the first time since 1

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