Does anyone think Peter Straub's writing a bit...well...abstract?

How he writes almost seems post-modern, well, at the edge of it at times.

At least to me, what does everyone else think?

I think he's got an amazing vision and writes to suit, not for the lowest common denominator. I love that about his work. It's been a while since I've read one, which one made you post the thread?

I liked the game he played with the narrative in Floating Dragon. I do think that his writing is more literary than any other mainstream horror writer (though Stephen King comes close at times).

Neither of these guys will be accused of being Faulkner, but they are levels above their competitors.

#2: I posted the thread because this is the first time I have read anything by Peter Straub. I'm reading magic terror by him at the moment and found it slightly difficult to get the hang of his "voice" at first because of how it was written, but that was because it had more depth than I was used to reading in mainstream novels.

Yeah, his use of language is anything but mainstream. It does take some getting used to. I know when I first read The Hellfire Club I had to read some sentences two and three times to get my brain around them. After a few chapters, I found the rhythm and it wasn't as difficult. Rewarding though, at least to me. Whenever I read someone who has a style distinct from the everyday, I rejoice a little bit. I think I have Magic, Terror around here somewhere...I think I feel a re-read coming on.

If you like a little gothic with your psychological thrills, give Patrick McGrath a try. He's another one who uses words in a creative way and evokes atmosphere like mad. He also loves the unreliable narrator. Highly recommended.

Yay for unreliable narrators because they make things more interesting!

# 5 Bookmarque

Ohhhh Patrick McGrath! How could I have forgotten him!? Yes I loved Asylum - might have to go on a McGrath hunt in the library now...

I can say that having read it all, Dr. Haggard's Disease is his best. Not that everything else is bad, but that one is just...wow.