There's no escape from the Nature Trail to Hell

[cyrano]

So as I lay about drowning in phlegm, I occasionally find time in my ever so busy schedule to read inbetween coughing fits. Right now, I'm reading Ghost Stories of JS LeFanu. He was an Irish writer, most famous for 'Green Tea' and 'Carmilla'. And may I just say how generally unsatisfying I'm finding period horror writing? The style seems to work directly against building suspense.
Now, don't get me wrong. I like reading period fiction, from various periods. But this is failing to creep me out. Although hopefully it'll give me some ideas for gaming next Sunday because right now I've got nothing. (Still.)

Comments

[outlawcoon.livejournal.com]

Your title is appreciated. :)

[tersa.livejournal.com]

The style seems to work directly against building suspense.

Is it in a similar style as the mechanics play in "A Midsummer Night's Dream", where the author attempts to assure the ladies in the audience that it's not real so the lion doesn't actually scare them?

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

Well, no, because for the most part the author is rather busy attempting to assure the ladies in the audience that it *is* real.
I think it's... it's the richness and abundance of text that makes me enjoy most of the 'period' stuff. It detracts from the 'punch' I want in a suspense story.
And, in general, there is no suspense. You know what's going to end up happening, often about the time the story starts. And it's more of a 'yes, yes, that's all very nice when does it actually happen' reading.