top of page


The Cosmic Horror Brilliance of Area X
In which I discuss Jeff Vandermeer's Southern Reach series, and the brilliant ways it subverts the tropes of cosmic horror.
Apr 2512 min read
11 views


In Defence of Cassandra Khaw
In which I discuss three common critiques of Nothing but Blackened Teeth, and why I consider them strengths, not flaws.
Mar 2814 min read
16 views


The Scariest Winter Tale
In which I discuss John Martin Leahy's 'In Amundsen's Tent,' and explore why it scares me more than any other short story.
Feb 218 min read
25 views


Halloween Special 2022 - Vampires Mega-Analysis (How Authors Write the Bloodsucking Undead)
In which I celebrate Halloween by discussing vampires, how they evolved and became a worldwide literary obsession.
Oct 31, 202233 min read
34 views


How 'The Dark Between the Trees' Perfects the Haunted Forest Trope
In which I discuss Fiona Barnett's 'The Dark Between the Trees,' and the ways it elevates the haunted forest subgenre.
Sep 23, 20228 min read
95 views


How 'Two Lumps of Sugar for Mr Anxiety' Heals Its Titular Condition
In which I discuss Eli Wilde's 'Two Lumps of Sugar for Mr Anxiety' and the compelling way it represents mental health in adulthood.
Sep 9, 20227 min read
22 views


'Coraline' and the Importance of Gateway Horror
In which I discuss Neil Gaiman's 'Coraline,' introducing the concept of gateway horror, and its inherent value.
Aug 26, 20229 min read
52 views


'Tender is the Flesh' is the 21st Century's Defining Dystopian Novel
In which I discuss Agustina Bazterrica's 'Tender is the Flesh,' and the high status it deserves.
Aug 12, 20228 min read
100 views


Content VS Presentation In Books - Which Matters More?
In which I explore the relationship between story and presentation, and whether one is more important than the other.
Jul 29, 20227 min read
23 views


How 'The Harpy' Uses Presentation to Make You Care
In which I discuss Megan Hunter's 'The Harpy,' and how it uses presentation to cause emotional responses.
Jul 15, 202214 min read
21 views


How 'A Monster Calls' Uses Story to Make You Care
In which I discuss Patrick Ness's 'A Monster Calls,' and how it uses story to cause emotional responses.
Jul 1, 202214 min read
549 views


The Unique Apocalypse of 'Nod'
In which I discuss Adrian Barnes's 'Nod,' and its uniquely psychological apocalypse.
Jun 17, 20228 min read
21 views


How 'The Hellbound Heart' Modernises Gothic Horror
In which I discuss Clive Barker's 'The Hellbound Heart,' and its unique and modern approach to Gothic horror.
Jun 3, 20228 min read
43 views


'The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar' and the Benefit of Short Stories
In which I explore the sub-medium of short stories for the first time, and how Edgar Allan Poe perfected it.
May 20, 20228 min read
192 views


'The Shining' and the Benefit of Longer Stories
In which I discuss Stephen King's 'The Shining,' and the benefits it draws from a longer page count.
May 6, 20228 min read
15 views


'Paradise Lost' and the Value of a Challenging Book
In which I discuss John Milton's 'Paradise Lost,' going into great detail about its themes, as well as the value of a challenging book.
Apr 22, 202217 min read
30 views


How 'The Chrysalids' Explores the Theme of Discrimination
In which I discuss John Wyndham's 'The Chrysalids,' and the ways it explores the theme of discrimination.
Apr 8, 202211 min read
41 views


Horror - The Genre of Fear
In which I conclude my series of essays on genre, this time looking more deeply at horror, and what it means to me.
Mar 25, 20228 min read
55 views


Science Fiction - The Genre of Possibilities
In which I continue talking about genre, this time looking more deeply at science fiction, and what it means to me.
Mar 18, 20227 min read
19 views


Fantasy - The Genre of Imagination
In which I continue talking about genre, this time looking more deeply at fantasy, and what it means to me.
Mar 11, 20227 min read
19 views
bottom of page