[Letters From the Labyrinth] Official Brian Keene Newsletter 11/6/16
Hello. My name is Brian Keene and this is the fourteenth issue of Letters From the Labyrinth, a weekly email newsletter. Thanks for subscribing.
People often ask me what my all-time favorite novels are. Well, Stephen King's THE STAND would be on that list, as would Mark Twain's TOM SAWYER, THE MAGIC WAGON by Joe R. Lansdale, WAR OF THE WORLDS by H.G. Wells, and Steinbeck's OF MICE AND MEN.
But my favorite novel of all-time, one I've read and re-read at least once a year since its initial publication, is THE RUM DIARY by Hunter S. Thompson. Not as popular as FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS or as honest as HELL'S ANGELS or as insightful and incendiary as FEAR AND LOATHING ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, and yet, it remains my favorite work by him, and my favorite work of fiction, period.
THE RUM DIARY is Thompson's most human work. And humane. The film adaptation with Johnny Depp is perfectly serviceable, and remains (in my opinion) faithful to the spirit of the book, but the movie plays fast and loose with the source material, and their are huge, vast changes between the two. If you've only seen the movie, I strongly encourage to read the book. And if you've never experienced either, then read THE RUM DIARY, if only because it's officially "Brian Keene's all-time favorite novel" and you might learn a little something about me by reading it.
I was re-reading the novel earlier today, while taking a break from writing and scarfing down a salad for lunch (because those who love me insist that I start eating more salads and less things that I enjoy), and I came across this passage:
'All manner of writers came to work for the News -- everything from wild young Turks who wanted to ip the world in half and start all over again, to tired, beer-bellied old hacks who wanted nothing more than to live out their days in peace before a bunch of lunatics ripped the world in half.'
If you are a regular subscriber to this newsletter, then over the past few months, you've heard my thoughts on the election, social media, the new generation gap, and our online culture at large.
It occurs to me that the passage above sums up my feelings a lot better than I did, though.
Next Tuesday, Americans will go to the polls to vote for either a Third World War or a Second Civil War.
My name is Brian Keene, and I am a tired, beer-bellied old hack who wants nothing more than to live out my days in peace before a bunch of lunatics rip the world in half.
In last week's newsletter, I mentioned that I debuted a new short story called "An End to All Things" during my reading at the KGB Bar in New York City. The story is intended to be my tribute to Stephen King. Now, the anthology that it will be appearing in -- SHINING IN THE DARK -- is available for pre-order. Below is the press release from the publisher, Cemetery Dance
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SHINING IN THE DARK: Celebrating Twenty Years of Lilja’s Library
Featuring Stephen King, Clive Barker, Stewart O’Nan, John Ajvide Lindqvist, Jack Ketchum, Ramsey Campbell, Brian Keene, and many others, Hans-Ake Lilja, founder of Lilja’s Library, has compiled a brand new anthology of horror stories to help celebrate twenty years of running the #1 Stephen King news website on the web! An exclusive Cemetery Dance Publications release, there are no other editions planned anywhere in the world for this incredible anthology!
Table of Contents:
“Celebrating 20 Years of Lilja’s Library (An Introduction) by Hans-Åke Lilja
“The Blue Air Compressor” by Stephen King
“The Net” by Jack Ketchum and P. D. Cacek
“The Novel of the Holocaust” by Stewart O’Nan
“Aeliana” by Bev Vincent
“Pidgin and Theresa” by Clive Barker
“An End To All Things ” by Brian Keene
“Cemetery Dance” by Richard Chizmar
“Drawn to the Flame” by Kevin Quigley
“The Companion” by Ramsey Campbell
“A Tell Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe
“A Mother’s Love” by Brian James Freeman
“The Keeper’s Companion” by John Ajvide Lindqvist
“Celebrating 20 Years of Lilja’s Library (An Afterword)” by Hans-Åke Lilja
Published as a Hardcover Limited Edition:
• Limited to just 750 signed and numbered copies
• Personally signed by the editor and the artist on a unique signature page
• Printed on 60# acid-free paper
• Bound in full-cloth with colored head and tail bands
• Featuring hot foil stamping on the front boards and spine
• Printed and bound with full-color endpapers
• Smyth sewn to create a more durable binding
• Wrapped in a full-color dust jacket
• Limited ONE TIME printing of this special edition
• Retail price just $60!
Wanted to remind you all about the Brian Keene Fan Group on Facebook. It is run by Ron Davis. I have nothing to do with it, and don't peek at it. This is by design. It's a place where you guys can discuss my work without worrying about me eavesdropping or looking over your shoulder. Ron has my complete blessing, and I'm grateful to him for running it. Some good people there. Join them by clicking here.
Currently Reading: THE RUM DIARY by Hunter S. Thompson
Currently Listening: THE ROAD GOES ON FOREVER by The Highwaymen
Currently Watching: 1990: THE BRONX WARRIORS
1990: THE BRONX WARRIORS is a low-budget, Italian-made dystopian film made to cash in on the success of ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK and THE WARRIORS. It is stupid, cheesy, and looks so god-damned dated, but I loved it as a teenager, and I love it still. Plus, it has Fred Williamson in it, and Fred Williamson is my favorite grindhouse/exploitation actor. It's a nostalgic comfort film for me, and it's available for free right now on Amazon Prime.
Thunderstorm Books still has a few copies of my newest non-fiction collection, UNSAFE SPACES, in stock. If you enjoy my non-fiction, particularly my END OF THE ROAD column, then you will certainly enjoy this book. Among the contents are remembrances of J.F. Gonzalez and Tom Piccirilli, tributes to Jack Ketchum and Mary SanGiovanni, and as always, thoughts and rants on everything from politics to pop culture to the horror genre. Makes the perfect holiday present. Click here to purchase one. They are in stock and ready to ship.
If you're still here from last week, thanks for not unsubscribing. Take care of yourself, and I'll see you again next week, provided we don't destroy each other and the rest of the wold before this election is over.