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Vortex
Dark currents flow beneath the surface… powerful, deadly… ancient. Monsters churn the deep waters of the soul.
Vampires and werewolves, sea hags and witches, even the Jersey Devil – the monsters teeming in our subconscious minds are with us always. " Essays from a Sea of Nightmares" by Robert Dunbar (author of "THE PINES" and "THE SHORE") explores the origins of some of mankind’s oldest folklore... and the influence of that lore on literature, film and popular culture.
Vampires and werewolves, sea hags and witches, even the Jersey Devil – the monsters teeming in our subconscious minds are with us always. " Essays from a Sea of Nightmares" by Robert Dunbar (author of "THE PINES" and "THE SHORE") explores the origins of some of mankind’s oldest folklore... and the influence of that lore on literature, film and popular culture.
- GenresHorrorNonfiction
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2013
3 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Robert Dunbar
33 books736 followersRobert Dunbar is the author of the THE PINES TRILOGY, a series of supernatural thrillers – THE PINES and THE SHORE and THE STREETS. These novels have garnered extremely positive reviews, attracting a great many readers, and the author often blogs about his adventures in the genre world here at Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Dunbar has written for television and radio as well as for numerous newspapers and magazines. His plays and poetry have won awards, and his short fiction has been widely anthologized. You can find an interview with him here:
http://www.uninvitedbooks.com/page32....
Dunbar has been called "the catalyst for the new literary movement in horror" and "one of the saviors of contemporary dark fiction," which he loves… in no small degree because of how such comments provoke the troll community.
To learn more, drop by Robert Dunbar’s Literary Darkness discussion group.
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/1...
Dunbar has written for television and radio as well as for numerous newspapers and magazines. His plays and poetry have won awards, and his short fiction has been widely anthologized. You can find an interview with him here:
http://www.uninvitedbooks.com/page32....
Dunbar has been called "the catalyst for the new literary movement in horror" and "one of the saviors of contemporary dark fiction," which he loves… in no small degree because of how such comments provoke the troll community.
To learn more, drop by Robert Dunbar’s Literary Darkness discussion group.
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/1...
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 10, 2013
On the day I was born, the headline in The Daily Mail was "WEREWOLF KILLER CAUGHT."
This is just one of many things I have learnt from Robert Dunbar's new book, Vortex.(UK | US)
Vortex is a non-fiction book, and it is Dunbar's personal exploration of the roots of many of contemporary horror's best known beasts, plus a few lesser known ones as well. From the Jersey Devil to vampires, from sirens and mermaids to were-creatures of all kinds, Dunbar examines the roots behind these legends - how the stories have changed over time, and how they have remained the same. There are also some chapters on film, the most interesting being the one about the theme of 'the other' in horror movies - which groups society marks out as its 'monsters'.
Regular readers will know that Dunbar is one of the favourite horror authors I've discovered in recent years, so I wasn't surprised to discover how well written Vortex is. However, the tone is very different to his dense, thoughtful fiction, being a witty and frequently self-mocking read. It's certainly no dry-as-dust academic piece; in fact given that half the time he's talking about real life cannibals or witch-burnings or mass-murders, it's a very gleeful book. My favourite section was that about The Jersey Devil, a monster Dunbar has made very much his own in an early novel, in a deliberate attempt to move away from the over-used, over-European monsters that still rear their heads in such a great deal of horror fiction. Being a boring old European myself, this was all new to me. Like many other parts of this book, I learnt a lot, and had a blast doing so.
So, a thoroughly engaging and enjoyable ride through some of the most horrific myths and real-life events imaginable. Very much recommended for anyone with an interest in Dunbar's work, or in horror fiction in general. There were some sections I wish were longer and went into more detail, but maybe I'm just wishing for a sequel.
This is just one of many things I have learnt from Robert Dunbar's new book, Vortex.(UK | US)
Vortex is a non-fiction book, and it is Dunbar's personal exploration of the roots of many of contemporary horror's best known beasts, plus a few lesser known ones as well. From the Jersey Devil to vampires, from sirens and mermaids to were-creatures of all kinds, Dunbar examines the roots behind these legends - how the stories have changed over time, and how they have remained the same. There are also some chapters on film, the most interesting being the one about the theme of 'the other' in horror movies - which groups society marks out as its 'monsters'.
Regular readers will know that Dunbar is one of the favourite horror authors I've discovered in recent years, so I wasn't surprised to discover how well written Vortex is. However, the tone is very different to his dense, thoughtful fiction, being a witty and frequently self-mocking read. It's certainly no dry-as-dust academic piece; in fact given that half the time he's talking about real life cannibals or witch-burnings or mass-murders, it's a very gleeful book. My favourite section was that about The Jersey Devil, a monster Dunbar has made very much his own in an early novel, in a deliberate attempt to move away from the over-used, over-European monsters that still rear their heads in such a great deal of horror fiction. Being a boring old European myself, this was all new to me. Like many other parts of this book, I learnt a lot, and had a blast doing so.
So, a thoroughly engaging and enjoyable ride through some of the most horrific myths and real-life events imaginable. Very much recommended for anyone with an interest in Dunbar's work, or in horror fiction in general. There were some sections I wish were longer and went into more detail, but maybe I'm just wishing for a sequel.
February 27, 2015
WOW.I really do not know How to start.Actually I am not OK,But this book gave me a new life.
If you're in the mood for something airy and uplifting, vortex is the trip to take.
This amazing non-fiction shows and proves the vast knowledge of the writer and the style of writing, reminded me of the style of great ones.The most interesting thing about the book is that it is utterly original.
Yeah,if a great work is your game,Dunbar is the name.
I would also like to pay my tribute to the great and talented writer:
Rob,my dear friend;I truly enjoyed your book.well done my friend.I hope to see your books,all of them in the great Library Of America(LOA).I encourage you to write more,I,personally,am hungry for more.
I,as a reader announce that now you are one of my favorite writers,which leads me to read your other works,which I am sure are as good as this one.
If you're in the mood for something airy and uplifting, vortex is the trip to take.
This amazing non-fiction shows and proves the vast knowledge of the writer and the style of writing, reminded me of the style of great ones.The most interesting thing about the book is that it is utterly original.
Yeah,if a great work is your game,Dunbar is the name.
I would also like to pay my tribute to the great and talented writer:
Rob,my dear friend;I truly enjoyed your book.well done my friend.I hope to see your books,all of them in the great Library Of America(LOA).I encourage you to write more,I,personally,am hungry for more.
I,as a reader announce that now you are one of my favorite writers,which leads me to read your other works,which I am sure are as good as this one.
December 10, 2013
Original review posted at Layers of Thought.
Shellie’s quick take: A serious and sometimes humorous collection of nonfiction writings from an expert voice in horror - taking a look at some of the basics around the myths and monsters residing in the collective human consciousness. A “must read” for anyone interested in literary horror.
Shellie’s description: The collection contains 10 essays and an introduction. The subjects covered include the siren/mermaid, several on the “werwulf” and lycanthropy, two on the vampire, myths and legends peculiar to America, the Jersey Devil (where Dunbar shares some of the origins for his novels The Shores and The Pines – which is hilarious), female characters in horror, the literary sources of classic horror films (where he mentions a large number of classic horror flicks for the reader to explore), and a discussion on the roles of stereotypes (racial, gender, and homosexuality) within the genre.
Shellie’s thoughts: In the essays Robert Dunbar’s range of writing styles is exemplified. His writing can be descriptive, confident, yet sometimes funny and self depreciative; but most importantly it’s concise and informative – he knows a lot about his subject matter and it shows. It’s also an excellent collection that has been written over the years, combined into a short, easy-to-read book. I devoured this book in several sittings but will be rereading and using it as a reference (especially for the movies mentioned). Recommended for any lover or writer of horror and dark fiction, for those who are looking for deeper insight into the genre, and also for fans of the author. It’s a 4.5 star in my opinion.
Shellie’s quick take: A serious and sometimes humorous collection of nonfiction writings from an expert voice in horror - taking a look at some of the basics around the myths and monsters residing in the collective human consciousness. A “must read” for anyone interested in literary horror.
Shellie’s description: The collection contains 10 essays and an introduction. The subjects covered include the siren/mermaid, several on the “werwulf” and lycanthropy, two on the vampire, myths and legends peculiar to America, the Jersey Devil (where Dunbar shares some of the origins for his novels The Shores and The Pines – which is hilarious), female characters in horror, the literary sources of classic horror films (where he mentions a large number of classic horror flicks for the reader to explore), and a discussion on the roles of stereotypes (racial, gender, and homosexuality) within the genre.
Shellie’s thoughts: In the essays Robert Dunbar’s range of writing styles is exemplified. His writing can be descriptive, confident, yet sometimes funny and self depreciative; but most importantly it’s concise and informative – he knows a lot about his subject matter and it shows. It’s also an excellent collection that has been written over the years, combined into a short, easy-to-read book. I devoured this book in several sittings but will be rereading and using it as a reference (especially for the movies mentioned). Recommended for any lover or writer of horror and dark fiction, for those who are looking for deeper insight into the genre, and also for fans of the author. It’s a 4.5 star in my opinion.
January 6, 2017
Took me forever to read because of stuff. But great great great. The mermaid stuff and the chapters about werwolfs and vampires just awesome. Kind of over my head in places but I stuck with it. Worth it!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews