"A groovy and delicious and intimate jigsaw of memories and
passions and books, and schisms and oddities and books–Ray Russell is a
bibliomaniac that it is a delight to spend time with. Falling in love with
books voraciously, whilst growing up ferociously, has never been so beautifully
described–a memoir that is as accurate and enthralling as it is dreamlike–just
like the books about which he writes with such love!" –David Tibet
"R. B. Russell's beautifully told part-memoir gives us the
story of a life lived alongside books, and the joyous way in which those dusty
first editions often reverberate throughout our lives." –Ed Parnell
"A
compelling celebration of reading, writing, publishing and the unexpected
treasures to be found in second hand bookshops. Ray Russell writes so
eloquently about his deep love of books as things in themselves but also his
joy of discovering the new, the strange–those books that act as life's
waymarkers." –Andrew Michael Hurley
"Absolutely wonderful. A unique and enchanting memoir
like no other. A book lover's paean to the volumes that made him, which also
opens a window on his soul. Charming, vivid, and singularly evocative."
–Jeremy Dyson
"Decadents, bohemians, cult musicians,
the odd (very odd) spy, shady publishers, backstreet booksellers, writers of
the weird and wayward, they're all here. R. B. Russell's memoir gives us
literature on the edge, in all its wonderful strangeness." –Mark Valentine
"This is a book to send you scurrying to the dusty
mote-filled light of the secondhand book shop, to the chilliness of the jumble
sale, to late nights at the blue screen of the laptop, seeking out the books
you don't know and can't wait to know, and to renew old acquaintances. A memoir
and commonplace book as delicate, suggestive and enchanting as the books
themselves." –Stuart Maconie
"Whether Russell is remembering his discovery of Arthur Machen,
chronicling his sometimes comic negotiations with the crafty bookdealer George
Locke, or reflecting on his own personal library of tatty paperbacks, signed
firsts and rare association copies, he makes clear that a bookish life can be
an enviably rewarding one, replete with the quiet satisfactions of the study,
the rowdy pleasures of the literary conference, and warm friendships with the
learned, the widely read and, not least, the winningly eccentric." –Michael
Dirda
Praise for R. B. Russell
"Highly engaging. . . . Among the leading practitioners of classic supernatural fiction." –Michael Dirda
"Lovers of obscure authors and literature will welcome this eclectic collection . . . from British editor Russell. His easy, accessible style is a delight to read." –Publishers Weekly
"Ray Russell's stories . . . are captivating for their depth of mystery and haunting melancholy. These qualities place Russell in a tradition of authors that includes Sheridan Le Fanu and Ramsey Campbell, storytellers whose works proceed with a creeping uneasiness that leaves a lasting impression on the reader." –Thomas Ligotti
