Posts Tagged ‘Mary SanGiovanni’
Posted by Peter Schwotzer in Books, Reviews, Terror Tales with Peter D. Schwotzer on April 10th, 2009
Though this book was published in 2002, I was just able to get a copy from Amazon and liked it so much I thought a short review was in order.
From reading my previous review of Mary’s first two novels “The Hollower” and “Found You” you know what I think of Mary’s writing.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with her first short story collection but I was not surprised at all at how good it was. Even back in 2002 you can see the talent Mary possesses.
This is one great short story collection and includes the following stories:
The Amazing Morpheus
The Ossibus
Skincatchers
Three Days
Dust Shadows of the Dead
Mist of Wynth
Who Wants to be a Survivor
The book also includes a Forward, Introduction and a From the Author section from Mary.
All of the stories are first rate and in Mary’s typical fashion the characters are spot on, her descriptive prose and imagery is excellent. If I had to pick a favorite I would have to say “Dust Shadows of the Dead“, this is one genuinely creepy tale. Not to take anything away from the other stories, this one just struck a nerve.
If you have read Mary’s novels and have yet to read this you can buy it here, it is well worth adding this book to your collection.
Posted by Peter Schwotzer in Books, Latest News, Reviews, Terror Tales with Peter D. Schwotzer on December 26th, 2008
Well fellow monster fans we are approaching the end of one year and the dawn of another and what a crazy year it’s been and most of it not in a good way. That’s why books are so important to me. They give me much needed time away from what a disaster this world has become. I can loose myself in these fabulous worlds that these writer’s create and hide away from the real monsters that haunt us; our gov’t, federal and local; our justice system who continue to release monsters onto the streets on a daily basis, the list goes on and on.
I have decided to present a list of my own that will hopefully pique your interest enough to try one of these books. Turn off the TV and video game for a while and give books a chance, they are your best source for outstanding entertainment. You get to exercise the most important part of your body; your brain. You can travel to far away lands and different worlds, you get to mingle with unbelievable people, you get to be the good guy or the bad guy (whichever you prefer); you get to battle monsters, demons and the scariest people this side of Congress. But mostly you get the feeling of being part of something special between you and the author and that my friend cannot be duplicated.
But first I would like to thank Famous Monsters of Filmland for allowing me to work with them in this little section. It has been absolutely fabulous and has been a blast. I have gotten to meet so many new and interesting people that otherwise I would not have. I would like to also thank the publishers and writers for taking time out of their busy schedules to email or talk to me. Without them this all could not be possible. I would like to extend a special thanks to Dorchester Publishing, specifically Erin Galloway for everything they have done for me. Erin has arranged the interviews with the authors (a lot more are coming after the new year) and she has kept me up to date on all that is happening in their Horror line. If there is anyone I missed I apologize, it wasn’t done intentionally.
Now for better or for worse My Top Ten Books of 2008
1. Bram Stoker’s Notes for Dracula: Facsimile Edition - Robert Eighteen-Bisang and Elizabeth MIller - The absolute must companion piece for Bram Stoker’s epic tale. A mind boggling journey through Bram Stoker’s handwritten notes. A must book to own if you own Dracula. Read my review here.
2. Found You – Mary SanGiovanni - The absolutely stunning follow up to her first novel The Hollower. The best first chapter of a book I have read in some years. See my review here and my interview with Mary here.
3. Duma Key – Stephen King - Another horror masterpiece from the legend himself. Mr. King returns to his horror roots in grand fashion. This is one scary book.
4. Just After Sunset – Stephen King - A new short story collection from the master. You must read What They Left Behind…one of the best short stories ever written…period.
5. Your Heart Belongs to Me – Dean Koontz – Another breathtaking thriller by Mr. Koontz. You will never look at yourself in the mirror the same way again.
6. The Fly At Fifty – Diane Kachmar & David D. Goudsward - The authoritative work on this Sci-Fi classic. Read my review and author interview here. Read my interview with David Hedison here.
7. Elsewhere – Peter William Blatty – The man who brought us The Exorcist returns with a an absolutely riveting ghost story. Read my review here.
8. The Reach – Nate Kenyon – Mr. Kenyon returns with his second novel. A terrific tale of a young girl with the power to destroy the wold. Read my review here.
9. Crimson - Gord Rollo – Due to be released in March 2009 but since I read an ARC this year I had to put it in my list. A fantastic coming of age book with a little bit of everything for every horror fan. Read my review here. Author interview coming soon.
10. Black Cathedral – L.H. Maynard & M.P.N. Sims – If you like haunted house stories put this amazing book on your list. One of the most frightening books of the year. Review coming soon.
Honorable Mentions – Moontown by Peter Atkins; People Are Strange by James Newman; Tower Hill by Sarah Pinborough; Covenant by John Everson; Bloodstone by Nate Kenyon
That does it for 2008. I want to wish all you monster fans a safe and Happy New Year and may 2009 be a great year for everyone. I will return in 2009 with more Terror Tales.
Thank You
Peter D. Schwotzer
Posted by Peter Schwotzer in Books, Latest News, Reviews, Terror Tales with Peter D. Schwotzer on November 12th, 2008
Hi Mary,
First thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to do this interview for Famous Monsters Of Filmland and I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your first two books and am looking forward to more sleepless nights because of you…..
Well actually because of your writing.
Mary: Ha ha ha
Thanks. I’m delighted that you enjoyed the books. And I’m looking forward to causing more sleepless nights. 
Famous Monsters: In an email you sent me you said that your father was a big fan of Famous Monsters of Filmland growing up and you have heard about the magazine since you were a little girl. Was that your first introduction to horror and monsters? Or is horror something you were interested in at an early age?
Mary: Well, my father absolutely was an influence in my liking horror, but it took a while. He introduced me to SF classics like I, Robot and Bladerunner, Star Wars and Dune. I got a little older, he told me about the movies of the fifties that blended horror and SF, like Them and The Blob and The Thing and Invasion of the Body Snatchers, the kinds of monster stories whose props could be found in Forrest Ackerman’s Ackermansion, and whose news and reviews graced the pages of one of his favorite magazines growing up, Famous Monsters of Filmland. That, I think, was the very beginning – alien stories that bridged the gap into horror. I think the monsters in my fiction still have a tinge of the alien to them.
I used to be scared of everything when I was little. Then someone (actually, it might have been my father, come to think of it) gave me the idea that maybe the monsters under my bed or in my closet or waiting to swoop in from outside my window could be tricked into sparing my life if they thought I was “one of them,” if I enjoyed the dark instead of hiding from it, and reveled in the scary stuff instead of avoiding it. So far, it’s worked. (more…)
Posted by Peter Schwotzer in Books, Interviews, Latest News, Reviews, Terror Tales with Peter D. Schwotzer on November 4th, 2008
“What is the Hollower? At times it can look like a man in a black coat and a black hat. But it’s definitely not a man. It’s not human at all. Its sole purpose is to stalk, to torment and to drive its victims to their deaths. It can sense each victim’s weaknesses, change its appearance and strike however it will hurt the most, physically…and mentally. Dave Kohlar is a man racked with guilt, doubt and worry. The perfect prey. He’s about to learn exactly what the Hollower is—and how it feeds.”
To tell you the truth, I had never heard of Mary SanGiovanni until I received her first novel The Hollower a few months back from Dorchester Publishing, home of Leisure Books. I am a member of their Horror book club and receive two new horror paperbacks every month. It is a great deal and has introduced me to a lot of new authors.
The cover and title of the book were intriguing. When I read the synopsis on the back, I thought…hmm this sounds interesting.
I finished the book in three fright-filled nights.
What jumped out first and really allowed me to live within this story were Mary’s characters. I can’t remember reading a first novel where the characters are so fully realized. The interaction between each other and the fictional world Mary created is engrossing and believable. You really feel for these people and what they are going through. To me that is where a great writer separates themselves from the rest.
Mary’s provocative prose and haunting imagery kept me turning the pages at a furious pace. Her voice is distinctly all her own, yet far beyond her short career as a novelist. She pulls no punches and hits you in the guts with heart wrenching fright, unrelenting images and nightmarish landscapes. Her descriptive language allows you to feel and see the places she writes about, to live in her fictional world and experience the same things her characters are feeling.
She created a creature of immense power that feeds on our insecurities and self-doubts. We all have them and now we know that something can use them to hunt us down.
Just when you think it’s over and it’s safe to be alone again Mary drags you back into her terrifying vision with Found You.
Right out of the gate, she grabs you by the throat with a first chapter that literally left me shaking. She wields words as a blacksmith wields a hammer, with authority and precision. Her storytelling is polished and sharp, evocative and horrifying.
Yet, she summons the power of restraint like a seasoned craftsman. She stays away from the over the top explicit gore and gruel that permeates much of today’s horror. She has enough faith in her talents and in her reader’s perceptions that she does not have to.
Mary SanGiovanni is a writer to watch and has cemented herself as force to be reckoned with in Horror Fiction, she is far too good at such an early stage in her career. The future looks bright for Mary and for those of us who love to lie awake at night wondering if that was really a voice we heard.
If you have not had a chance to read Mary’s books, do yourself a favor buy them, borrow them, or however you get them, read them. You will not be disappointed.
“Found you.” Those two simple words were like a death sentence to Sally. She recognized the voice, straight from her nightmares. The grotesque thing without a face, the creature that thrived on fear and guilt, had nearly killed her, like it had so many others. But it was dead…wasn’t it? Sally is about to find out that nightmares can become real, that your deepest secrets can prey on you, and that there’s nowhere to hide…for long.
In the small town of Lakehaven something has arrived that can’t see you, hear you or touch you, but it can find you just the same. And when it does, your fears will have a name.”
Book covers and text courtesy of Dorchester Publishing
www.marysangiovanni.com
Interview with Mary SanGiovanni
Posted by Peter Schwotzer in Books, Terror Tales with Peter D. Schwotzer on October 29th, 2008
For any of you looking for some frights this Halloween, I have compiled a list of my top reads to celebrate my favorite time of year.
VAMPIRES
Dracula – Bram Stoker – The one that started it all, there is no better and there never will be.
I Am Legend – Richard Matheson – Second only to the master, a terrifying read.
Salem’s Lot – Stephen King – Definitely belongs in the top three as required vampire reading.
Necroscope – Brian Lumley – He redefined the vampire legend with this stunning series.
Blood Red – James Moore - A fresh take on the vampire mythos in Jim Moore’s undeniable style.
They Thirst – Robert McCammon – A modern vampire classic that is greatly under appreciated.
CLASSIC HORROR
The Raven and The Premature Burial – Edgar Allen Poe - I know, I know a poem and a story, but I couldn’t decide between the two…well it is my list. (more…)
