After reading
The Manitou just before the New Year, I made a resolution to read more
Graham Masterton in 2011. Thanks to readers of this blog who have recommended Masterton's specific books enthusiastically, I've added various titles to my to-read list. I knew he'd written dozens, but going by
reviews on various
fan sites, I didn't know how beloved most of them were. So with that in mind -
and the fact that today is Mr. Masterton's
birthday - behold the terrific covers of merely a fraction of his output. The novels are mostly from Pinnacle and Tor Books, his American publishers throughout the '70s and '80s respectively; you can see the change in illustration styles over the two decades. Can't wait to start tracking these down...
After reading The Manitou just before the New Year, I made a resolution to read more Graham Masterton in 2011. Thanks to readers of this blog who have recommended Masterton's specific books enthusiastically, I've added various titles to my to-read list. I knew he'd written dozens, but going by reviews on various fan sites, I didn't know how beloved most of them were. So with that in mind - and the fact that today is Mr. Masterton's birthday - behold the terrific covers of merely a fraction of his output. The novels are mostly from Pinnacle and Tor Books, his American publishers throughout the '70s and '80s respectively; you can see the change in illustration styles over the two decades. Can't wait to start tracking these down...
I used to have PLAGUE, but I guess I got rid of it. All my (three) Masterson now are those black TOR books (although PLAGUE is probably just a white TOR). I've read only one of his novels, THE BURNING, which was terrible. Really, really bad. I plan on reading more in the future.
ReplyDeleteGot my first batch of Masterton novels in from my e-bay & Alibris splurge of a week or two back. Consisting of his WALKERS, DECENDENT, EDGEWISE & THE SLEEPLESS. Will dive into them as soon as I finish reading what I'm into at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to it.
Funny story about my inquiry about Masterton's work back in the early '80s at my local Walden Books.
It was right after his six novel run at Pinnacle & there was a lull in his output. So, I asked the clerk at the counter to check & see what was available from him & after a couple of minutes of checking her forthcoming books catalog she started whispering to me titles like HOW TO MAKE LOVE TO A WOMAN, HOW TO PLEASE YOUR MAN IN BED & other such delightfully embarassing titles.
Which is when I discovered that Mr. Masterton was not only a successful genre novelist, but also had a side career as the author of copious amounts of sex manuals! ( or perhaps the horror novels are his side career? ) LOL
He actually used to be an editor at PENTHOUSE.
ReplyDeleteAh, right - that would actually explain why he used his real name for the sex manuals and not a pseudonym. Masterton also hung out with William Burroughs in the late '60s:
ReplyDeletehttp://realitystudio.org/interviews/interview-with-graham-masterton-on-william-s-burroughs/
I read a used copy of "The Manitou" because I'd seen the awful but amusing Tony Curtis movie on TV a couple of times. Then I moved on to "Tengu," expecting another silly but fun read. To my surprise, it was one of the most violent horror novels I ever read. I discovered this while reading it in my psychotherapist's waiting room -- with children playing at my feet and their moms reading "Cosmo" next to me, I was reading about a woman literally being torn in half, and a man having his legs sawed off. I hope his sex manuals don't get THAT kinky!
ReplyDeleteIs the cover to The Djinn similar to the one of The Manitou featured in a past post? Meaning, is it a cut-away cover that reveals a monster on the inside? Sure looks like it since it follows the same basic cover design.
ReplyDeleteAlso, great post. I really have to start tracking down some Graham Masterson.
Luis, you can see the full Djinn cover here:
ReplyDeletehttp://dontbetonit.tripod.com/djinn.html
These look great. Masterson's books have always been very tricky for me to find, and I've always wanted to try MIRROR. I have come across copies of PARIAH in the past but was always turned off by the shoddy cover (is it just me, or did they simply steal a pic of Shelley Duvell from THE SHINING and paste it on the cover?).
ReplyDeleteCraig
Anon, I'm pretty sure that is indeed Shelley Duvall from The Shining! I had the same thought.
ReplyDeleteYou're both right-yep Duvall it is! I read this one pretty recently-but couldn't tell you a thing about it! Ha! But MIRROR, on the other hand-has images and incidents so bizarre and hallucinogenic in it that I see them vividly to this day! And that one was devoured at least 6 yrs ago....DO check that one out Eric ,as I think I've mention before-a masterwork! Also PREY,WALKERS, & FEAST! That FEAST is,well Yikes! So gruesome I ,well I don't want to give anything away... except -I loved it!
ReplyDeleteI'm a little late to the conversation, but that is most definitely Shelley Duvall from THE SHINING...I was reminded quite a bit of the awesome Polish theatrical poster in particular:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.polishposter.com/images/4334.jpg
Thanks for running one of the best blogs out there! Amazing source for recommendations.
Thanks Zorn! And no one's ever late to the conversation here.
ReplyDeleteJumping in late... MANITOU is GM's best. However, I would also recommend WELLS OF HELL and PREY, which are also tied into the Mythos somewhat. THE PARIAH doesn't mention anything Mythos, but is quite close and has an apocalyptic ending. Masterton is second-rate in most ways, but he also is able to consistently evoke frissons of unease/fear (for me) that many more well-regarded authors don't. Great blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Unknown! I own plenty of Masterton paperbacks including the ones you mentioned. There will be reviews!
ReplyDeleteReally love Night Warriors and Death Dream. Remember reading them back in high school. Could't believe how gory they were at the time. The Manitou was a fun read. I need to reread a lot of his books.
ReplyDeletePicked up one called Walkers not that long ago that sounds promising.
Oh WALKERS was fun, reviewed it here several years ago
ReplyDeleteFound the review! Great write up! Looking forward to reading WALKERS.
ReplyDelete