Studies of Death
Gelesen von Ben Tucker
Count Stanislaus Eric Stenbock
(4,482 Sterne; 28 Bewertungen)
Count Stanislaus Eric Stenbock was an eccentric character to say the least. Maintaining a veritable zoo on his estate populated with the likes of a reindeer and a bear, he travelled with a dog, a monkey and a life-sized doll he nicknamed "The Little Count" and which he referred to as "his son". Before his untimely death at the age of 36 of cirrhosis of the liver due to his excessive alcoholism and opium addiction, Stenbock managed to publish three slim volumes of poetry, much of which was fixated on suicide, as well as this volume of short stories, Studies of Death. This short collection of tales of death in all its various forms featuring occultism, vampires, jilted lovers and sea sprites among other things is seen as not only an early curiosity of occult and weird literature but also contains early queer themes as well, most notably in the stories "Hylas" and "The True Story of a Vampire". While one would expect much of a collection titled Studies in Death to fixate on the grim side of human nature, we do see a few peeks at death of a more hopeful nature as well, in addition to the bleak and tragic. (Summary by Ben Tucker) (1 hr 56 min)
Chapters
Bewertungen
MELANIES IS A SPOILER!!! BEWARE!!!!
Ariovistus
(5 Sterne)
I was going to read it Melanie spoiled the best damn story in her opinion. So I reckon I'll finish my brandy & cigarette & ride the lightening.
Melanie Scheidler
(4 Sterne)
Well those were some slightly odd stories but that was to be expected I guess from an author who sounds so odd himself. They mostly remind one of Oscar Wilde. Some were a bit melodramatic but I enjoyed them. I liked the 'True Story of a vampire' best by far. It was probably the first story I came across where the Vampire and his victim actually seem to mutually love each other. I didn't really get why he could not have found another victim instead of killing the one he loved, but anyway, it was atmospheric and had a mix of melancholy and tenderness that was quite touching. The reader did a good job as well.
An interesting collection, understandably overwrought.
Chubber
(4 Sterne)
You can feel the unhappiness of the author. They quietly shout out the trapped feeling, the constraint of the closet. Beautifully read, bravo!
interesting tales
Bruce G
(5 Sterne)
This is a very interesting, well written, and well read. Thank you Ben, you have excellent choices in the tales that you narrate. Bruce G