Anatomy of Horror the Masters of Occult Fiction

Rating:
Summary: Why Written at All?
Review: This is a well-written tome. The style is witty, filled with quips and non-vampire-like skewerings. It is a light, quick read covering Le Fanu to The Exorcist and a few oddballs in between.

Only problem is that the author has nothing to say. In fact, the reader is left wondering why on earth he wrote the book in the first place. He is almost completely negative in his assessment of the occult writers he has set himself to review (with the possible exception of Haggard). Bad writing, superficial plots, thin characterizations, silly philosophies, obscure metaphors, the list of criticisms goes on.

Other than Bram Stoker, I am not familiar with the writers that St John Barclay reviews. Nevertheless, it is passing strange that he would wish to write a book about a subject that he detests concerning writers that he loathes.

Recommendation: Don't bother.