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Dr. Lowell #1
Burn Witch Burn
Mafia Versus Witchcraft! "With such consummate skill," wrote the New York Times, "has Mr. Merritt told his story in Burn Witch Burn that one is almost ready to believe that such things can be, even in this twentieth century of ours." Not available in paperback, here is the fabled novel of an eminent physician who agrees to work along side one of the city's most notorious gangsters to put an end to a strange and mysterious series of deaths that have claimed a child, a millionaire, one of the don's men and the doctor's nurse. Investigation leads the pair to the uncanny Madame Mandilip, proprietress of a most unusual doll shop, and her apparently mute and terrified daughter. Soon the Mafia don lies on the verge of death and the doctor finds himself the victim of strange hallucinations--or are they? From page to page the nightmare figure of Madame Mandilip grows more horrible and deadly until she spreads like a menacing shadow across the lives of the doctor and his friends. Long out of print, this novel, which inspired the legendary 1930s horror film, Devil Doll with Lionel Barymore, is considered one of the supreme masterpieces of dark fantasy. "There is no individual writing today," wrote Donald A. Wollheim, author of Mimic, "that can torture his reader by way of the suspense element as much as Merritt and know at which point to stop; to save him perhaps for future tortures." Or, as the New York Times said, "You'll find here a collection of horrors that really horrify, most skillfully blended into a tale of mounting hellishness, the whole flavored with that peculiar quality that Merritt readers know about."
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First published January 1, 1933
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About the author
A. Merritt
227 books125 followersAbraham Grace Merritt, wrote under the name of A. Merritt, born in New Jersey moved as a child to Philadelphia, Pa. in 1894, began studying law and than switched to journalism. Later a very popular writer starting in 1919 of the teens, twenties and thirties, horror and fantasy genres. King of the purple prose, most famous The Moon Pool, a south seas lost island civilization, hidden underground and The Ship of Ishtar, an Arabian Nights type fable, and six other novels and short stories collections (he had written at first, just for fun). Nobody could do that variety better, sold millions of books in his career. The bright man, became editor of the most successful magazine during the Depression, The American Weekly , with a fabulous $100,000 in salary. A great traveler, in search of unusual items he collected. His private library of 5,000 volumes had many of the occult macabre kind. Yet this talented author is now largely been forgotten.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 153 reviews
February 1, 2024
Dr. Lowell ( not his real name, for reasons that become apparent soon), walking up the stairs to his hospital in Manhattan very late at night, spots an automobile stopping in front of the medical building . Four men get out and look around nervously, one with assistance, he recognizes the leader as a notorious gangster Julian Ricori. The gifted physician takes charge of the patient Thomas Peters, a member of the gang who is suffering from a strange malady, terror and horror on his face, bizarre eyes always open but not seeing. After a thorough examination, tests help from Dr. Braile the man of science, is puzzled not from disease, drugs or wounds is Mr. Peters suffering, what is causing his illness ? Could it be an unknown plague ? His paralyzed patient expires in a few days, Dr. Lowell starts to investigate, writing and calling his fellow physicians and quickly learns that seven other people died with similar symptoms, in the New York City area. Speaking to Ricori, the underworld chief, believes that witchcraft is responsible for what happened, to his friend. But the well educated physician scoffs at such a concept superstitious nonsense, witches in these modern times of 1932 . Ridiculous, he will be sorry for his blind trust of science. Humans will suffer because of it, two more cases and their horrendous deaths, including his nurse Miss Harriet Walters at the hospital. Reluctantly an unusual group of gangsters and physicians, begin the long process of finding what or who, is murdering all these citizens ( the police would laugh, if they came to them ). The trail leads to a doll maker, Madame Mandilip an old hag as the gangsters call her, big body, mustached upper lip, massive bosom with a weird accent, from an unknown country . Her store is in an out of the way street, frightened neighbors don't known anything but she creates exquisite dolls, some two feet tall every little girl desires them. The unafraid medical man goes inside the store to speak to Madame, encountering her niece Laschna, with a deadpan white face, then escorted by the malicious looking Mandilip, to the enchanted but noxious room full of unusual items, a mirror that shows impossible things, walls with rich panels, beautiful dolls everywhere they seem real, some look familiar, he quickly falls into a slumber. Leaving Dr. Lowell can't remember what has occurred, but feels uneasy ... To his regret Mr. Lowell and others, discover the store models are killer dolls striking in the night, while the victims are asleep. Their red eyes glow in the dark, a green light illuminates the rooms, sharp long stiff wires they have, walking slowly and quietly to stab the oblivious martyrs. Science versus witchcraft which will prevail ? Terrific story of supernatural forces, underneath a civilization that doesn't take them seriously anymore, if you enjoy suspense weird happenings, unexplained events you'll like this.
May 30, 2024
Wow, what an exciting read. People in New York die of strange death. Dr Lowell tries to find out what happened. There is a gangster named Racori and a dollmaker and her "niece" involved. What is it about those mysterious dolls? Is the dollmaker a witch or something even more evil? Will the doctor and his gangster friend solve this case nobody believes in and stop the murder spree in town? This is hair raising horror at its very best with a convincing back story of ancient evil and a witch haunting you in your dreams. Great supernatural terror here and the nastiest doll story I ever came across. A true gem. Highly recommended!
August 11, 2025
A doctor is working at night when a car stops at the hospital. Gangsters bring in one of their own who seems to be frozen in fear. A few minutes after the man’s heart stops beating, his body begins to move and a diabolic grin appears on his face.
Another gangster dies, seemingly killed by one of his fellow gangster. But the other gangsters claim the killer was a doll.
The more the doctor investigates this strange case, the more he ventures into the world of the supernatural. But is he prepared for the answer that lurks in the shadows of this mystery?
This book inspired the 1936 movie The Devil-Doll, which became a cult classic. I haven’t seen the movie, so I can’t compare the two.
Of all Merritt’s work, this is probably the one that has passed the test of time the best. It might not be his best or most popular book, but it’s aged better than most of his other books. That doesn’t mean there are no hints of outdated world views in here though. It’s also rather short and has a strong concept that’s executed pretty well. The plot and the pacing have some small issues, but this story has some strong moments to make up for it. It’s slow in the beginning, but once it starts building up towards the climax, it really is a treat. It just keeps getting better. The ending is also good and leaves you wanting more, and that’s honestly what this book does best. I’ll be rounding this one up to four stars as I enjoyed it and it ended on a high note, though be aware that it has some flaws.
Another gangster dies, seemingly killed by one of his fellow gangster. But the other gangsters claim the killer was a doll.
The more the doctor investigates this strange case, the more he ventures into the world of the supernatural. But is he prepared for the answer that lurks in the shadows of this mystery?
This book inspired the 1936 movie The Devil-Doll, which became a cult classic. I haven’t seen the movie, so I can’t compare the two.
Of all Merritt’s work, this is probably the one that has passed the test of time the best. It might not be his best or most popular book, but it’s aged better than most of his other books. That doesn’t mean there are no hints of outdated world views in here though. It’s also rather short and has a strong concept that’s executed pretty well. The plot and the pacing have some small issues, but this story has some strong moments to make up for it. It’s slow in the beginning, but once it starts building up towards the climax, it really is a treat. It just keeps getting better. The ending is also good and leaves you wanting more, and that’s honestly what this book does best. I’ll be rounding this one up to four stars as I enjoyed it and it ended on a high note, though be aware that it has some flaws.
May 5, 2023
Combinando de manera eficiente el terror y el folclore con la ciencia moderna, ojo, de la época en que se publicó, teje una historia inquietante sobre lo que sucede cuando el mundo que nos rodea, basado en la ciencia, termina fallando.
Una idea ciega en que todo tiene su explicación pero que pasa cuando esto se hace pedazos.
Los personajes reaccionan a las situaciones a las que se enfrentan y actúan de acuerdo con sus propias creencias. Esto construye algunas interacciones de personajes interesantes.
El mal en este libro también es bastante único en comparación con los horrores presentados en las historias modernas.
Se presenta a esta bruja como lo fueron en el folclore europeo.
Una serie de leyendas míticas para contar la historia de personas asesinadas por muñecos asesinos a manos de una hechicera demoníaca.
Un médico al que se le pide que trate a las víctimas que están cayendo horriblemente en un estado de terror interminable tiene a un gángster como uno de sus pacientes.
Este ataque inicia una guerra de mafiosos de criminales contra una poderosa y muy malvada entidad mientras el doctor se enfrenta a una lucha interna entre creencias y supersticiones.
Las muñecas son muy inquietantes, y fue sobre esa epoca que se convirtieron en lo que es hoy un cliché de terror.
Es breve y muy rápido, pero tampoco es una gran historia de terror, quedándose en algo normalillo.
Tiene sus años y por así decirlo, esto no asusta y ya se conoce.
Recomendable igualmente..
Una idea ciega en que todo tiene su explicación pero que pasa cuando esto se hace pedazos.
Los personajes reaccionan a las situaciones a las que se enfrentan y actúan de acuerdo con sus propias creencias. Esto construye algunas interacciones de personajes interesantes.
El mal en este libro también es bastante único en comparación con los horrores presentados en las historias modernas.
Se presenta a esta bruja como lo fueron en el folclore europeo.
Una serie de leyendas míticas para contar la historia de personas asesinadas por muñecos asesinos a manos de una hechicera demoníaca.
Un médico al que se le pide que trate a las víctimas que están cayendo horriblemente en un estado de terror interminable tiene a un gángster como uno de sus pacientes.
Este ataque inicia una guerra de mafiosos de criminales contra una poderosa y muy malvada entidad mientras el doctor se enfrenta a una lucha interna entre creencias y supersticiones.
Las muñecas son muy inquietantes, y fue sobre esa epoca que se convirtieron en lo que es hoy un cliché de terror.
Es breve y muy rápido, pero tampoco es una gran historia de terror, quedándose en algo normalillo.
Tiene sus años y por así decirlo, esto no asusta y ya se conoce.
Recomendable igualmente..
February 28, 2024
Una historia muy interesante y que se lee muy rápido. Además, describe escenas muy visuales y escalofriantes que me recuerdan al terror cósmico.
El último capítulo en el que se pretende dar la explicación me sobró un poco.
El último capítulo en el que se pretende dar la explicación me sobró un poco.
June 26, 2017
El doctor Lowell, insigne neurólogo, nos narra esta insólita y aterradora historia. Todo empieza cuando Ricori, un reconocido mafioso, lleva al hospital a uno de sus hombres, que padece un extraño mal. Aunque parece comatoso, aparentemente está bien físicamente, pero las muecas de su rostro son diabólicas. La muerte de este hombre llevará tanto a Lowell, como a Ricori y sus gángsters, a seguir investigando la posible existencia de casos similares.
‘¡Arde, bruja, arde!’ (Burn, Witch, Burn!, 1932), del escritor Abraham Merritt, es una excelente novela detectivesca, con tintes fantásticos y de terror. El ritmo que el autor imprime a la historia es francamente bueno y te deja enganchado a la trama hasta el final. La novela obtuvo tal éxito, que en 1935 se estrenó la versión cinematográfica, Muñecos infernales, a cargo del genial Tod Browning.
‘¡Arde, bruja, arde!’ (Burn, Witch, Burn!, 1932), del escritor Abraham Merritt, es una excelente novela detectivesca, con tintes fantásticos y de terror. El ritmo que el autor imprime a la historia es francamente bueno y te deja enganchado a la trama hasta el final. La novela obtuvo tal éxito, que en 1935 se estrenó la versión cinematográfica, Muñecos infernales, a cargo del genial Tod Browning.
April 2, 2008
An unusual tale of witchcraft involving demonic dolls, a tale that also involves gangsters and an unfortunate doctor caught in the middle. The dolls are very disturbing, and although they’ve since become a bit of a horror cliché when this book was published back in 1933 they were still an idea that was fresh and original. It’s short and it moves along very quickly but there’s plenty of tension and some genuinely creepy moments. Recommended for lovers of the offbeat.
July 5, 2013
What strikes me after reading it and considering the larger situation is that Madame Mandilip's motives (say that three times fast) are largely unknowable. She perpetrates vicious evil but the whole purpose appears to be to suppress or destroy those who would interfere in her plot . All of which leads to an Underpants Gnomes problem in explaining exactly why all this is useful or part of some greater scheme.
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August 19, 2015You can find a more fleshed-out look at this book at my online reading journal.
Burn Witch Burn does have a certain similarity to the movie that stole its title (except for the addition of the commas) -- at the heart of the matter is a man who is forced to reassess his beliefs in the certainties of science when he comes head to head with the supernatural.
We first meet Doctor Lowell, "a medical man specializing in neurology and diseases of the brain," when he is called on by a "notorious underworld chieftain" Julian Ricori, "one of the finished products of the Prohibition Law." One of Ricori's crew is stricken with some very bizarre ailment, manifesting itself with strange symptoms. He eventually dies, but on examination, the doctor finds nothing that could have killed him. The case is so odd that he immediately reaches out to other doctors to see if any of their patients have manifested the same symptoms. When answers start coming in, Lowell is startled to see that a number of people have been in the same boat. After compiling a list of these patients, he (along with Ricori) starts his quest to track down the source of this horrific illness hoping to find even one factor they all had in common. Just as they're starting to make some progress the illness strikes again, this time hitting very close to home.
I won't divulge the meat of the story here, but let me just say that what happens in this book makes the Twilight Zone's Talky Tina look like a rank amateur (hint, hint). There's a lot of creepy stuff going on here -- looking at it from today's perspective, it's mild, even tame, but my guess is it had readers squirming in their armchairs back in the 1930s. It's a strange blending of mystery, pulp, and horror, and while I didn't care too much for it at first, as things progressed, I ended with up with an odd sort of appreciation for this book. First of all, looking past the silly horror parts, there are two main themes that develop out of this novel. One is the question of what it is that constitutes a human's soul; the second, as I've mentioned earlier, is what happens when science butts up against the supernatural. Second, since there are a number of mysteries that need to be solved here, the novel appeals to the part of me that loves these vintage books and just can't get enough.
But speaking of mysteries, we're left with one huge hole, and that is the motivation behind the work of the character Madame Mandilip (a name that cracks me up because she's described as having a visible mustache). We get a smidgen of her history, but we never fully quite understand why she does what she does here, and that's annoying. Seriously annoying.
Merritt is much better known for his "lost-race" novels and short stories which are just plain awful; at the same time one of my biggest guilty pleasures in life is my love for really crappy, really old pulp. Burn Witch Burn is much better than some of Merritt's other work so if you're at all interested you might want to give it a try. I'd say try not to judge it by modern standards if at all possible; just sit back, relax and enjoy.
Burn Witch Burn does have a certain similarity to the movie that stole its title (except for the addition of the commas) -- at the heart of the matter is a man who is forced to reassess his beliefs in the certainties of science when he comes head to head with the supernatural.
We first meet Doctor Lowell, "a medical man specializing in neurology and diseases of the brain," when he is called on by a "notorious underworld chieftain" Julian Ricori, "one of the finished products of the Prohibition Law." One of Ricori's crew is stricken with some very bizarre ailment, manifesting itself with strange symptoms. He eventually dies, but on examination, the doctor finds nothing that could have killed him. The case is so odd that he immediately reaches out to other doctors to see if any of their patients have manifested the same symptoms. When answers start coming in, Lowell is startled to see that a number of people have been in the same boat. After compiling a list of these patients, he (along with Ricori) starts his quest to track down the source of this horrific illness hoping to find even one factor they all had in common. Just as they're starting to make some progress the illness strikes again, this time hitting very close to home.
I won't divulge the meat of the story here, but let me just say that what happens in this book makes the Twilight Zone's Talky Tina look like a rank amateur (hint, hint). There's a lot of creepy stuff going on here -- looking at it from today's perspective, it's mild, even tame, but my guess is it had readers squirming in their armchairs back in the 1930s. It's a strange blending of mystery, pulp, and horror, and while I didn't care too much for it at first, as things progressed, I ended with up with an odd sort of appreciation for this book. First of all, looking past the silly horror parts, there are two main themes that develop out of this novel. One is the question of what it is that constitutes a human's soul; the second, as I've mentioned earlier, is what happens when science butts up against the supernatural. Second, since there are a number of mysteries that need to be solved here, the novel appeals to the part of me that loves these vintage books and just can't get enough.
But speaking of mysteries, we're left with one huge hole, and that is the motivation behind the work of the character Madame Mandilip (a name that cracks me up because she's described as having a visible mustache). We get a smidgen of her history, but we never fully quite understand why she does what she does here, and that's annoying. Seriously annoying.
Merritt is much better known for his "lost-race" novels and short stories which are just plain awful; at the same time one of my biggest guilty pleasures in life is my love for really crappy, really old pulp. Burn Witch Burn is much better than some of Merritt's other work so if you're at all interested you might want to give it a try. I'd say try not to judge it by modern standards if at all possible; just sit back, relax and enjoy.
December 12, 2019
Like '7 Footsteps to Satan', this novel is set in what was then contemporary USA and not the strange lost civilisations in far off lands for which this author is probably more well known. It begins with a prologue supposedly by a doctor who is writing up a case so far-fetched that to publicise it under his own name will probably spell the end of his career, so he has changed the names of all concerned.
A gangster boss came to him, bringing his right-hand man Peters, who has been suddenly struck down with an inexplicable malady. Peters has staring eyes and a face distorted with terror, but as he is examined, his expression changes from time to time to one of gloating malice. Shortly afterwards he dies, and then other people, including a nurse at the hospital, expire in similar fashion though in the nurse's case, her expression is one of someone fighting evil rather than being it herself.
The doctor uncovers similar cases and the gangster uncovers a link between them all - a shop selling very lifelike dolls and run by a large and imposing woman with hypnotic eyes and her colourless girl assistant. Eventually it becomes clear that the woman is stealing at least some part of a person's spirit to imprison within a doll replica, and is using an overwhelming mind control/hypnotism to put people in her power to do so.
The story was fairly interesting for about the first half, but I found it dragged a bit mainly due to the attitude of the doctor-narrator. Despite witnessing inexplicable events, including sentient dolls attacking himself and others, he persists in trying to come up with explanations that are more far-fetched than just accepting that Various people come to grief partly because of the doctor's vacillating attitude. There also was really no explanation of the motive of the malicious doll-maker. She kills people to conceal the fact that she is making killer dolls and murdering to do so, yet why is she doing it in the first place? So on the whole this balances out at 3 stars.
A gangster boss came to him, bringing his right-hand man Peters, who has been suddenly struck down with an inexplicable malady. Peters has staring eyes and a face distorted with terror, but as he is examined, his expression changes from time to time to one of gloating malice. Shortly afterwards he dies, and then other people, including a nurse at the hospital, expire in similar fashion though in the nurse's case, her expression is one of someone fighting evil rather than being it herself.
The doctor uncovers similar cases and the gangster uncovers a link between them all - a shop selling very lifelike dolls and run by a large and imposing woman with hypnotic eyes and her colourless girl assistant. Eventually it becomes clear that the woman is stealing at least some part of a person's spirit to imprison within a doll replica, and is using an overwhelming mind control/hypnotism to put people in her power to do so.
The story was fairly interesting for about the first half, but I found it dragged a bit mainly due to the attitude of the doctor-narrator. Despite witnessing inexplicable events, including sentient dolls attacking himself and others, he persists in trying to come up with explanations that are more far-fetched than just accepting that Various people come to grief partly because of the doctor's vacillating attitude. There also was really no explanation of the motive of the malicious doll-maker. She kills people to conceal the fact that she is making killer dolls and murdering to do so, yet why is she doing it in the first place? So on the whole this balances out at 3 stars.
November 25, 2020
Una historia de investigación en torno a las extrañas características que presenta el cuerpo y la muerte de un hombre. Esto llevará al doctor Lowel y a Ricori, un mafioso, por un camino extraño, lleno de incertidumbres, extrañas tiendas, objetos demoníacos, magia negra, oscuridad y desesperación.
Un libro con escenas magníficas, y momentos de alta tensión que me hicieron disfrutar enormemente este libro.
La brujería y los personajes me han atrapado por completo en este antigua joya de la literatura.
Un libro con escenas magníficas, y momentos de alta tensión que me hicieron disfrutar enormemente este libro.
La brujería y los personajes me han atrapado por completo en este antigua joya de la literatura.
March 25, 2024
Me ha costado terminar esta novela. Para mí, tiene muchos altibajos que hacen que te aburras rápidamente de la historia. Aún así, merece la pena leerla.
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It was difficult for me to finish this novel. For me, it has a lot of ups and downs that make you get bored of the story quickly. Still, it is worth reading.
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It was difficult for me to finish this novel. For me, it has a lot of ups and downs that make you get bored of the story quickly. Still, it is worth reading.
January 20, 2011
Started out quite fun, but devolved into being predictable with a very irritating narrator / protagonist who insisted on not believing events even when he participated in them. Still fun.
March 28, 2024
I decided to read Burn Witch Burn because it was used to create one of my favorite scary movies from the 1930s…The Devil Doll, starring Lionel Barrymore. The movie is, as usual, a far cry from the book. For me, the book is a masterpiece. Read it and let your mind run away with the plot of gangsters and doctors teamed up to face evil in the form of a doll maker. You won’t be sorry, but it may haunt your dreams
April 4, 2019
Muy interesante para la época. Mezcla la clara historia detectivesca por un médico narrado en primera persona y le mete una parte de terror con muñecos que matan al estilo Chucky. Con un comienzo que hemos visto en miles de películas actuales: repentinamente una enfermedad que deja a las personas vegetales y expresión de pánico comienza a propagarse.
June 9, 2011
i'd been hearing about this book for years, but could never find it... finally picked up a copy at the LA paperback book show ($1!)... it came out in '32, and pretty much reads like it... lots of "As a doctor, of course I am too rational to believe in the existence of the supernatural... BUT THE EVIDENCE!!!" about halfway through it started to feel really familiar, and then i realized i'd seen it as a movie... they'd changed the title to The Devil Doll, and it was made by none other than Tod Browning... lots of scary imagery, but the style is hard to take... the movie was much stranger and better.
p.s. merritt's current claim to fame is that his book The Moon Pool, which came out in 1919, may have served as the inspiration for the tv show Lost. also he apparently was an influence on h.p. lovecraft, though i think lovecraft's mind is much, much scarier...
p.s. merritt's current claim to fame is that his book The Moon Pool, which came out in 1919, may have served as the inspiration for the tv show Lost. also he apparently was an influence on h.p. lovecraft, though i think lovecraft's mind is much, much scarier...
May 22, 2022
Molto belle alcune immagini, per esempio quella iniziale dell'occhio terrorizzato del cadavere: estremamente cinematografica, più in linea con un modo di fare cinema horror degli ultimi anni che dell'epoca in cui il libro è stato scritto. Notevoli anche le immagini della strega nel suo studiolo incantato, riportate dal diario di una delle vittime. Per il resto, un po' noiosa tutta l'investigazione che costituisce il grosso del racconto.
October 4, 2012
Having enjoyed a few short stories by Merritt, I felt it was time to try a novel by him, and Burn Witch Burn was the one, surprisingly well written and scary, and very much worth the read. Its an excellent mix of creeping dread and action, weaving a mystery of murderous toy dolls on the loose in NYC. I notice in the comments people saying that they became annoyed with the main character not learning from his experiences throughout the book, but that seems to be the point, the doctor always has a scientific explanation to back up the hypnotic, terrifying ordeal they've just encountered, and thus it is what gives his comment in the final sentence of the story to Ricori so much impact. Also, of all the "living doll" stories I've ever read, this one was definitely the most original and frightening, and supports a great super villainess character in Madame Mandilip. Highly Recommended!
September 11, 2014
My introduction to Abraham Merritt
Abraham Merritt is mentioned prominently in Gary Gygax's "Appendix N" as one of the authors whose work heavily influenced the creation of Dungeons and Dragons. As part of an ongoing project to read and assimilate as much "Appendix N" literature as possible, I started looking for good Kindle editions of authors like Merritt. This story, revolving around a Depression-era use of dolls in sympathetic magic, was my introduction to Merritt. It is well written and very enjoyable, even though I personally disliked the premise. I recommend it!
Abraham Merritt is mentioned prominently in Gary Gygax's "Appendix N" as one of the authors whose work heavily influenced the creation of Dungeons and Dragons. As part of an ongoing project to read and assimilate as much "Appendix N" literature as possible, I started looking for good Kindle editions of authors like Merritt. This story, revolving around a Depression-era use of dolls in sympathetic magic, was my introduction to Merritt. It is well written and very enjoyable, even though I personally disliked the premise. I recommend it!
November 8, 2024
القصة تشبه أفلام العرائس المسكونة أو الشريرة، شبه فقط و ليست نفسها، تحكي عن ساحرة شريرة لديها متجر عرائس تصنعها بنفسها -بدون تفاصيل لتفادي حرق القصة- و تقتل الضحايا بالعرائس + طريقة أخرى، و يتصدى لها رجل عصابات و رجاله مع طبيب و مساعده... الراوية ليست الأفضل، ربما السبب الترجمة التي في بعض المواضع غير دقيقة و أحيانا تحتوي على أخطاء... يفترض أنها قصة رعب و لكنها ليست مرعبة إنما مشوقة لانك تريد معرفة هل هذا حقاً سحراً أم شئ اخر أكثر منطقية... بشكل عام السرد سلس و سريع، تجد نفسك أنهيتها دون أن تشعر، و ستستمتع بقراءتها رغم كل شئ، عن نفسي رغم أني توقعت أكثر، إنما استمتعت بقراءتها.
March 18, 2024
Una historia dinámica y entretenida con algunos momentos de terror muy tensos y con muy buen ritmo. Investigaciones, muertes misteriosas, magia negra, muñecos diabólicos, enfermedad mental, ciencia y paranormal... A la vez de completa, muy recomendable
June 28, 2025
It's melodramatic and silly, but still great pulpy fun! I love how this Centipede Press edition includes the Virgil Finlay illustrations.
October 13, 2023
Relectura. En ocasiones, lo más simple puede ser lo más acertado si se ejecuta de la manera adecuada, y ese es el caso de esta historia.
Posee un argumento sencillo y no precisamente original, de hecho tampoco es que sea muy secreto ya que, como suele ocurrirles a historias con ya varias décadas cumplidas, las suelen publicar en ediciones que con leer la sinopsis o el prólogo te cuentan bastante más de lo que deberían. Sin embargo, ésto no es ningún problema al abordar el libro porque engancha una barbaridad. Es corto y la narración muy ágil por lo que se lee en un suspiro, no hay rellenos ni escenas innecesarias, va al grano, siempre están pasando cosas y logra su cometido no solo de entretener sino de transmitir al lector cierta sensación de inquietud y hasta algo de temor.
Eso sí, aquí no hay grandes sorpresas ni giros espectaculares por lo que si es lo que se busca, mejor pasar de largo.
Lo disfruté la primera vez que lo leí y lo he vuelto a disfrutar ahora, a pesar de haber pasado varios años, así que aquí queda la recomendación para estas noches de octubre.
Posee un argumento sencillo y no precisamente original, de hecho tampoco es que sea muy secreto ya que, como suele ocurrirles a historias con ya varias décadas cumplidas, las suelen publicar en ediciones que con leer la sinopsis o el prólogo te cuentan bastante más de lo que deberían. Sin embargo, ésto no es ningún problema al abordar el libro porque engancha una barbaridad. Es corto y la narración muy ágil por lo que se lee en un suspiro, no hay rellenos ni escenas innecesarias, va al grano, siempre están pasando cosas y logra su cometido no solo de entretener sino de transmitir al lector cierta sensación de inquietud y hasta algo de temor.
Eso sí, aquí no hay grandes sorpresas ni giros espectaculares por lo que si es lo que se busca, mejor pasar de largo.
Lo disfruté la primera vez que lo leí y lo he vuelto a disfrutar ahora, a pesar de haber pasado varios años, así que aquí queda la recomendación para estas noches de octubre.
October 17, 2020
No pude encontrar mejor lectura para iniciar Octubre. Terrorífica y atrapante desde el primer capítulo y con una variedad muy disfrutable de personajes desde los cuales te enteras de la historia desde distintos puntos de referencia.
April 30, 2024
Una historia con dos caminos, la ciencia y las leyendas, dos caminos a recorrer con un punto de encuentro.
Buena trama, buenos personajes que te hacen conectar perfectamente y una historia en la que pensar…
Buena trama, buenos personajes que te hacen conectar perfectamente y una historia en la que pensar…
June 27, 2017
Pretty damn awesome.
Due to it being old, there was some wackiness and odd moments of conversations, but overall this was a happy treat!
DOLLS! DOLLS! CRAZY DOLLS!
Due to it being old, there was some wackiness and odd moments of conversations, but overall this was a happy treat!
DOLLS! DOLLS! CRAZY DOLLS!
Read
January 11, 2026É un romanzo che gioca abilmente con la figura della strega e la sua storia indissolubilmente intrecciata a quella del femminismo e della medicina.
Il conflitto del romanzo si realizza fra un malavitoso profondamente cattolico e superstizioso, spalleggiato dal nostro narratore, psichiatra affermato e Madame Mandilip, l'artigiana di bambole.
Interessante notare come nonostante la Strega sembri essere sconfitta alla fine, questa vittoria non è in alcun modo da attribuirsi ai protagonisti. Questi sono ciechi rispetto alle motivazioni e all'origine del potere della strega, laddove Ricori si limita a distruggere ciò che non comprende, non controlla e lo spaventa, Lowell ha un approccio più interessante, c'è una curiosità in lui, malgrado i limiti della propria formazione e di orgoglio, che riflettono l'atteggiamento storicamente tenuto dagli studiosi di medicina nei confronti dei rimedi empirici di molte guaritrici portate sul rogo.
La Strega è distrutta non da queste figure, ma da un'altra donna che rivendica il possesso della propria anima, o qualunque parte di sé fosse imprigionata nella bambola.
I nostri protagonisti, dunque, non possono che sembrare sciocchi e impotenti, dalla mente offuscata da orgoglio, superstizione, sete di controllo o appetito sessuale.
Il conflitto del romanzo si realizza fra un malavitoso profondamente cattolico e superstizioso, spalleggiato dal nostro narratore, psichiatra affermato e Madame Mandilip, l'artigiana di bambole.
Interessante notare come nonostante la Strega sembri essere sconfitta alla fine, questa vittoria non è in alcun modo da attribuirsi ai protagonisti. Questi sono ciechi rispetto alle motivazioni e all'origine del potere della strega, laddove Ricori si limita a distruggere ciò che non comprende, non controlla e lo spaventa, Lowell ha un approccio più interessante, c'è una curiosità in lui, malgrado i limiti della propria formazione e di orgoglio, che riflettono l'atteggiamento storicamente tenuto dagli studiosi di medicina nei confronti dei rimedi empirici di molte guaritrici portate sul rogo.
La Strega è distrutta non da queste figure, ma da un'altra donna che rivendica il possesso della propria anima, o qualunque parte di sé fosse imprigionata nella bambola.
I nostri protagonisti, dunque, non possono che sembrare sciocchi e impotenti, dalla mente offuscata da orgoglio, superstizione, sete di controllo o appetito sessuale.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2023
Wow !
Simplemente increible !
Bueno no me esperaba esa historia estoy un tanto sorprendida de que sea tanantigua pero a la vez terrorifica
Simplemente increible !
Bueno no me esperaba esa historia estoy un tanto sorprendida de que sea tanantigua pero a la vez terrorifica
October 18, 2023
القصة محبوكة بشكل مذهل و مثيرة للاهتمام من البداية للنهاية و بالنسبة لكونها رواية رعب قديمة حبيتهاا بداية جيدة لي في قراءة روايات الرعب القديمة.
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