The Mystery of the Necromancer (plus a couple of links)

[jonathanlhoward]

I listened to an interesting programme yesterday on BBC Radio 4, entitled "Frequently Asked Questions." It was about the relationship between writers and their readers,

Comments

[fabula_umbrae]

It's hard to find the point between too little information and too much information. I found the amount of history alluded to in Johannes Cabal the Necromancer fit well with the overall feel of the novel. I think if everything had been gone into in detail it would have not only detracted from the story but would have made Johannes as a character seem less interesting and real. There are a lot of things that made me as a reader want to know more of those little stories about his and other characters pasts. But while I would love to read about all those things I don't think they would have had any place in that particular story. It's part of why I'm looking forward to the next book.

There's a difference between not going into unnecessary detail and a plot hole.

[jonathanlhoward]

I should really reply with something measured and writerly, but I am too busy making geekish "squeee" noises about your icon. By a remarkable coincidence, I watched the Quays' "The Cabinet of Jan Svankmajer" just two days ago with my daughter (who has a gratifying interest in surrealist animation). It must have been the first time I've seen it in perhaps ten years, and then -- lo and behold -- you use an image from it for your icon. I love coincidences; they are reality's Pop Rocks. We'll probably watch "The Street of Crocodiles" sometime over the weekend. As a matter of interest, did you catch the nod to Svankmajer in _Johannes Cabal the Necromancer_?

[fabula_umbrae]

I didn't! Now I have to go look for it. Though I'm guessing it'll be something obvious that I missed by being dense. I think I may have been a bit too distracted by other references. Such as the delightful and blatant cries of "ftagn!"

I'm a little surprised that you recognized my icon. I don't often run into people who've heard of the Quay brothers. Generally if anyone mentions them to me it's because they wanted to know who the people I quoted in my LJ bio are or because they picked up the collected works dvd from my shelf and are making odd faces at the box art.

[jonathanlhoward]

That's Cthulhoo from "The Unspeakable Vault (of Doom)"! YUM YUM...

I'm enjoying this. It is a fun game.

[fabula_umbrae]

Unfortunately it's likely to be a rather short one. Unless you're familiar with untranslated childrens manga and/or independent artists dolls. Though this conversation has reminded me to put A Shoggoth on the Roof on my MP3 player. I'm sure you've heard it, however if by some strange twist of fate you haven't you should go find a copy of the CD. Not only did they get good performers for the recordings but even if they hadn't, it's all of Fiddler on the Roof with tentacles. How often do you get to hear young girls sing about summoning unspeakable horrors for a date?

That and the Shoggoth version of "far from the home I love" is a vast improvement over the original. More variety in lyrics and far more emotional impact. When I took musical theater workshop at my college I attempted to get a group together to do "to life!" unfortunately people were only willing to try the original version. Never before have I seen so many people adverse to mad science. It was a sad day.

[jonathanlhoward]

Ah, you win. I don't recognise that image at all

[fabula_umbrae]

That one was the childrens manga. It's from a promotional poster for the newer GeGeGe no Kitarou anime. GeGeGe no Kitarou has been around forever and is kind of like Peanuts in Japan, in that it's a kids comic that's everywhere. It's mostly ghost stories and since it's written for children I can read bits of it and it's good kanji recognition practice