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Tuesday, June 18, 2013

The Amulet by Michael McDowell (1979): The Valancourt Books Edition

Good news, vintage horror fiction fans: Michael McDowell's debut 1979 horror novel The Amulet has been brought back into print by specialty publisher Valancourt Books. As you can see, it boasts an introduction by another TMHF fave, the now-retired Poppy Z. Brite, which features some background on the writing of the novel and McDowell himself. Also of note: to my great surprise and complete delight, quotes from this blog are featured both on the back of the book - I've become a blurb! - as well as in Brite's intro. What! It's true. Anyway, I don't think you'll be disappointed if you drop a few bucks for this nicely-produced title from a publisher who knows just what it's doing. We can hope that more of McDowell's incredible '80s horror fiction will be treated in just the same way. Purchasing info here.
 
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10 comments:

  1. KurtJune 18, 2013 at 9:09 PM

    This is one I've wanted to read but could never find. Very cool, thanks for sharing.

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  2. MiloJune 18, 2013 at 10:47 PM

    That is rad, congrats!

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  3. Alejandro OmidsalarJune 19, 2013 at 10:10 AM

    Still need to hop on the McDowell train. I've been remiss.

    Congrats on your newly attained blurbhood, Will!

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  4. Tim MayerJune 20, 2013 at 6:19 PM

    Lots of good stuff coming from Valancourt.

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  5. Rob K.July 6, 2013 at 5:28 AM

    Congrats in being blurbed, that is awesome. The Amulet and Katie are the last 2 of his horror-themed books that I have yet to read. So time to remedy that.

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  6. Will ErricksonJuly 7, 2013 at 6:45 AM

    Thanks everybody! Hope to see more McDowell from Valancourt. I'm bummed b/c I only have 2 more of McDowell's horror novels left to read: KATIE and GILDED NEEDLES. Well, and the final couple BLACKWATERs.

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  7. Rob K.September 9, 2013 at 12:14 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  8. Rob K.September 9, 2013 at 12:15 PM

    Just read The Amulet last week courtesy of Vallancourt, and really enjoyed it. Reading Katie now and boyoboy is it a page-turner. Then I'll have read them all which is awesome and also sad - no more McDowell!

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  9. highwaykneesJune 29, 2014 at 10:44 AM

    I've been searching for a copy of The Amulet forever. This is great news!

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  10. Padded CellJune 16, 2016 at 8:17 PM

    "Gilded Needles" and "Katie" are both very good. I was a little wary of those because both are set far in the past, but McDowell made them work.

    I'm not as fond of "The Amulet." It's well written but downbeat and sort of repetitive.

    (Still, McDowell fans who already bought it should read it. I just don't think it's a must read.)

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