The Grin of the Dark: Amazon.co.uk: Ramsey Campbell: Books

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Product Description

Synopsis
A limited trade hardcover signed by the author.

From the Back Cover
Tubby Thackeray’s stage routines were so deranged that members of his audience were said to have died or lost their minds. When Simon Lester is commissioned to write a book about the forgotten music hall clown and his riotous silent comedies, his research plunges him into a nightmarish realm where genius, buffoonery and madness converge. In a search that leads him from a twilight circus in a London park to a hardcore movie studio in Los Angeles, Simon Lester uncovers a terrifying secret about Tubby Thackeray and must finally confront the unspeakable thing he represents . . .

Praise for The Grin of the Dark:

"[Ramsey Campbell] has a genius for infusing horror into the everyday, piling up small moments of dread and confusion and fear until they become insurmountable" (Tim Pratt in Locus)

"Campbell's most ambitious novel to date . . .extremely disturbing" (Poppy Z Brite) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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75 Reviews

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(21)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(12)

Average Customer Review

3.1 out of 5 stars (75 customer reviews)

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11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I WANTED to like this... but..., 12 Mar 2008

By	J. Scott "whitefort" (Co. Down United Kingdom) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Grin of the Dark (Paperback)

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(No Spoilers)

I never thought I'd find myself giving a lukewarm review of a Ramsey Campbell book, but THE GRIN OF THE DARK just didn't do anything for me. I'm quite prepared to accept that it's just down to a matter of individual taste, but - without giving any of the story away - here's why the book didn't work for me. If any of these comments resonate with you, then it may not work for you either.

1. I admit this *is* a matter of nitpicking personal taste: The entire story is written in the present tense. I only mention this because I know I'm not alone in having problems with this format, especially in a work of this length.

2. By the time I got to about page 100, I found myself wishing that more would actually HAPPEN. In this book, the fuse burns for an awfully long time before the fireworks ignite.

3. While the fuse is burning, the time is largely filled with the hero bickering with his girlfriend's parents, and with an internet correspondent. Frankly, there was just SO much of this that - like being caught in the middle of a real argument - I found myself putting the book down just to get out of it for a while. For me, this was one of the most annoying and frustrating parts of the book. Several times I found myself thinking, 'Oh, please, not ANOTHER one of these arguments...'

4. Finally, my main criticism is that I didn't think there was enough story for a 400 page novel. The underlying idea is a nice one and original too, but in my opinion it's a short story idea - maybe a novella at most.

There *is* some outstanding writing in this book (as you'd expect from a writer of Campbell's stature). I found the closing sections of the story (but, um, ONLY the closing sections) genuinely creepy and unsettling.

If you're a Ramsey Campbell fan, you'll read this, of course, and may well love it. If you're not, I'd suggest you start elsewhere.

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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I wish I'd ordered something else, 24 Mar 2008

By	Book Addict - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Grin of the Dark (Paperback)

Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Programme (What's this?)

Although no longer an avid fan of the horror genre and never having read anything previously by Ramsey Campbell, I decided to give "The Grin of the Dark" a try. I honestly admit reading the entire book was a struggle, despite initially likening it to an enjoyable horror book I read many years ago; Graham Masterton's "Mirror". Unfortunately although these books share a similar premise; that of struggling writer trying to uncover the mystery surrounding a forgotten movie star with sinister undertones, they do not share a similar response; TGOTD is a laborious read.

Protagonist Simon Lester finds himself travelling the globe (in some scenes I was actually confused as to where he was) trying to locate the films of Tubby Thackeray; an actor whose early twentieth century films were banned and now seemingly forgotten. Intermingling with his investigation are his relationships with his girlfriend and her son, his girlfriend's parents (who blatantly feel Simon is not good enough for their precious daughter), his editors and an internet film buff who inflames Simon with his allegations; derogatory comments regarding Simon's work ethics and knowledge of Tubby's films.

As Simon becomes more involved in his search, he is plagued by peripheral sighting and dreams of a doughy fat man (presumably Tubby), uncontrollable laughter (presumably Tubby again) and confusion as to places he has been and the conversations he has had. Unfortunately as Simon doesn't appear to believe anything "spooky" is going on; attributing weird "Tubby" sightings to jet lag, booze, etc TGOTD lacks the creepiness expected in the horror genre. Instead it feels as if Simon is undergoing a nervous breakdown and should consult a doctor rather than an exorcist.

This 400 page book is wrapped up far too quickly in the final few pages, leaving me as bewildered as Simon; however I'm not even slightly tempted to read it again in the hope that it makes more sense. The big question after reading a new author is - would I read another of their books? In the case of Ramsey Campbell, the answer is an emphatic no.

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8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Too long by about 150 pages, 24 Mar 2008

By	SJSmith (UK) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Grin of the Dark (Paperback)

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This is the first Ramsey Campbell book I've read and I have Amazon Vine to thank for that. I don't know how typical of his work this book is but in my opinion it was too long for what it was. When I first saw the blurb for the book I thought the premise was excellent and I was very much looking forward to reading, it seemed to have something chilling about it in the way that Henry James' `Turn of the Screw' chilled me. Instead it took a long time to get going and I wondered whether I would actually complete the novel.

The fact that the writing is brilliant is what inspired me to keep going and I'm pleased I did, the ending looked like it was going to be great and it was. I felt like I was really invited into Simon Lester's life, mainly through the use of first person which doesn't always work for me. I remember feeling as involved in a character's life when I read `House of Leaves' by Mark Z. Danielewski. I could imagine all of the characters but I really couldn't imagine Simon, I couldn't visualise what he looked like, which unsettled me at the beginning but is actually important as he goes through so many different changes as a person during his search for information about Tubby Thackeray. As a reader I went through moments where I forgot I was actually reading a piece of fiction and suddenly felt that the author was actually Simon Lester, it was quite bizarre; all the signs of a good writer I suppose.

It was a very readable and really enjoyable novel overall. I would consider reading something else by this author just for comparison. I read this in two sittings to try to keep the momentum going, I have a feeling I might have been lost off if I hadn't because so many different things are happening at the same time. I can't confess to completely understanding it, if I'm honest, and if I was a re-reader I'd have to read it again to try to find clues as to what was happening. If it was to be a novella I'd suggest losing all the unnecessary arguments between Natalie's parents and Simon - they were pointless, the relationship was important to explore but it went on and on detracting from the plot.

Other than the one or two niggles mentioned it was an enjoyable experience.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars I grinned at times
It did take me some time to read all of this book. It doesn't read as easily as some books because of the change sometimes between the light and dark context that runs as the... Read more

Published 1 month ago by Jackie Coupe

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Campbell's best
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1.0 out of 5 stars Avoid
Unless you are a particular fan or a close relative of Ramsey Campbell's work avoid this book. It has little or nothing to recommend it.

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Published 8 months ago by Mr. Christopher Lancaster

5.0 out of 5 stars Have you all lost your sense of humour?!
As much as I admire Campbell's novels and stories, my enthusiasm isn't unconditional. For instance, despite being hailed as his best novel in recent years I found The Darkest Part... Read more

Published 11 months ago by Paul Campbell

4.0 out of 5 stars Great concept spoiled by character assassination
I love the concept of an film historian and journalist with a plethora of personal issues commissioned to research and write about a neo-mythical, forgotten star of silent film,... Read more

Published 12 months ago by Andy Millward

1.0 out of 5 stars Snore..............zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....................
I started reading this book soooo many times, but good lord I couldn't have hoped for a more effective sleep aid! Read more

Published 12 months ago by Ash

1.0 out of 5 stars Dull Dull and more Dull
If you are a previous fan of Ramsay Campbell - do not buy this book thinking it is up to his past standard. Read more

Published 13 months ago by Mrs. J. Cooper

1.0 out of 5 stars Dreadful
I cannot believe I wasted valuable hours of my life reading this utter drivel.
A hero you can't get to grips with, a villain thats Imaginary and a heroine you'd gladly... Read more

Published 13 months ago by M. A. Kelly

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