In the dimly lit corridors of an independent bookseller’s treasure trove, I found myself amidst first editions and signed copies, each book a unique gateway to another world. There to help re-box and bag, move and re-shelve. As I sifted through the piles, I discovered two novels that stood out: Dracula: The Un-Dead and The Story Sisters. The former, a continuation of the classic tale, promises a journey through the shadows of vampire lore, while the latter offers a magical realism that intertwines with the fabric of our very existence.
As a lover of all things monstrous, I dream of a quaint bookshop by the sea, its shelves a haven for creatures of the night. It would be a place where the hours cater to the nocturnal whims of those who find solace in the moon’s embrace. And while I ponder on this dream, I share with you my top ten monster movies, with Dracula reigning supreme and Alien securing a spot in my heart.
Novels -Two Very Different Monsters
I’ve had Dracula: The Un-dead on my wish list for what seems like years now and I finally have it. But the book I picked up first to read was The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman. I was expecting witches, but got magic of a totally different nature. And a strange link to a documentary I recently watched called The Program (on Netflix). As always, the writing is beautiful, and you can’t help but get drawn in, but I’m so eager to move on to Dracula: The Un-Dead. I probably should have started with that one.
‘The Story Sisters’ charts the lives of three sisters – Elv, Claire and Meg. Each has a fate she must meet alone: one on a country road, one in the streets of Paris, and one in the corridors of her own imagination. Inhabiting their world are a charismatic man who cannot tell the truth, a neighbor who is not who he appears to be, a clumsy boy in Paris who falls in love and stays there, a detective who finds his heart’s desire, and a demon who will not let go.
-The Story Sisters-
What does a mother do when one of her children goes astray? How does she save one daughter without sacrificing the others? How deep can love go, and how far can it take you?
At once a coming-of-age tale, a family saga, and a love story of erotic longing, ‘The Story Sisters’ sifts through the miraculous and the mundane as the girls become women and their choices haunt them, change them and, finally, redeem them.
The story begins in 1912, twenty-five years after the events described in the original novel. Dr. Jack Seward, now a disgraced morphine addict, hunts vampires across Europe with the help of a mysterious benefactor. Meanwhile, Quincey Harker, the grown son of Jonathan and Mina, leaves law school to pursue a career in stage at London’s famous Lyceum Theatre.
-Dracula: The Un-Dead-
The production of Dracula at the Lyceum, directed and produced by Bram Stoker, has recently lost its star. Luckily, Quincey knows how to contact the famed Hungarian actor Basarab, who agrees to take the lead role.
Quincey soon discovers that the play features his parents and their former friends as characters, and seems to reveal much about the terrible secrets he’s always suspected them of harbouring. But, before he can confront them, Jonathan Harker is found murdered.
Monsters -In The Movies & On TV
You have to track the monsters a little before you consider getting up close. If you love a little Hellboy, you might be interested to hear that there is a documentary creeping towards us called Mike Mignola: Drawing Monsters. If you ever wanted to know how the Hellboy Universe began, this is the show for you (I know I’ll be watching) with never before seen and behind the scenes footage how can you resist? Only thing is, we don’t have a release date yet, so keep an eye on the monthly roundup!
If you’ve been watching Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, you’ll be pleased to know it’s been renewed for a second season at Apple TV+
And with the monster merger of Blumhouse and Atomic Monster, we’re getting M3GAN 2.0! No idea where the story will take us next, but with some impressive new cast members attached, there are obviously plans in place. I liked the first film, not sure I’d consider M3GAN the monster in the film, but she’s definitely super creepy and nightmare inducing.
Movies -My Top Ten Monster Movies
I haven’t watched too much TV this week, none of the new movies that have come to streaming have really caught my attention and I’ve been looking at the films I have on DVD (yup, I’m a ‘still have my DVDs on the shelves in the living room’ kinda gal) for alternative options. So, to entertain myself, I decided to share my top ten monster movies:
- At number ten we have Alien, I remember the first time I watched this movie was on a neighbours cinema that he’d built in his garage with original cinema seats and those little weird lights with the tasseled shades, and this huge screen and a projector booth behind. Front row, big screen, big Aliens!
- At nine, Tremors, unfortunately this isn’t one I have on DVD so I’ll have to find it on streaming to watch this one.
- At eight, Pitch Black (and then obviously I have to watch Riddick and The Chronicles of Riddick afterwards, I’ve heard whispers that there could be another one in the works).
- Pacific Rim at seven, is one of those movies I just enjoy, the idea that we’ve found a way to make ourselves capable of fighting the monsters by making ourselves big enough to fight them. But somehow it also reminds me a little bit of that scene in Alien where she gets in the mover thing.
- Starship Troopers comes in at six, how could this movie not be on the list?
- At five we’ve got Renfield, this is a good fun movie with a bit of a twist on the monsters we’re so familiar with.
- At four I offer up The Invisibile Man. I enjoyed this version of the story and like it when monsters develop a little to match our modern horrors.
- At three, A Nightmare on Elm Street -how could I not include this one?
- At two, it has to be The Lost Boys.
- And in pole position, Dracula, in almost any of his forms.
Would your list be different?
Horror and Fantasy Author – Also writing as K.T. McQueen. Love Western Horror, cowboy boots, my cactus Collin, & my Demon Cat.
Moths – I hate moths, the way they flutter at your face!
