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Unholy Trinity
Contains three Gothic novellas: "Sanguinarius," "Sardonicus," and "Sagittarius," plus author's introduction entitled "The Haunted Castle: A Confession."
114 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1967
261 people want to read
About the author
Ray Russell
120 books110 followersRay Russell was an American editor and writer of short stories, novels, and screenplays. Russell is best known for his horror fiction, although he also wrote mystery and science fiction stories.
His most famous short fiction is "Sardonicus", which appeared in the January 1961 issue of Playboy magazine, and was subsequently adapted by Russell into a screenplay for William Castle's film version, titled Mr. Sardonicus. American writer Stephen King called "Sardonicus" "perhaps the finest example of the modern gothic ever written"."Sardonicus" was part of a trio of stories with "Sanguinarius" and "Sagittarius".
see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Russell and http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-ent...
His most famous short fiction is "Sardonicus", which appeared in the January 1961 issue of Playboy magazine, and was subsequently adapted by Russell into a screenplay for William Castle's film version, titled Mr. Sardonicus. American writer Stephen King called "Sardonicus" "perhaps the finest example of the modern gothic ever written"."Sardonicus" was part of a trio of stories with "Sanguinarius" and "Sagittarius".
see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Russell and http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-ent...
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 11, 2016
I absolutely adored these three novellas! A triumvirate of history's most monstrous--Countess Bathory, Gilles de Rais, and Jack the Ripper--appear in these urbane, ironic, sometimes erotic 'conte cruels' from the masterful pen of Ray Russell (Playboy fiction editor during its 1960s cultural height). First up is "Sanguinarius" is a fictionalized first-person account of Countess Elizabeth Bathory, written in faux-16th century hand, detailing her descent into blood lust. Sexy stuff!
Sandwiched in the middle of the book is Russell's most famous work, "Sardonicus." The titular character's backstory is a blackly clever one, reaching back to creepy Eastern European folklore. He reveals himself to be a diabolic mastermind. The subtext is like a recasting of the Playboy philosophy, that dated libertine stew of sex, sophistication, and rationality, in terms of the Gothic. Such fun!
The final piece, "Sagittarius," is a tale-within-a-tale, two men in an upper-class club exchanging bon-mots over cigars and Scotch. You know the scene. Russell hearkens back to the Grand-Guignol--those French theatrical performances of death and dismemberment that drew standing-room-only crowds to witness buckets of stage blood spurting about. Terrific setting for a horror tale, and for Russell to show off his erudition. Into this brew he mixes Mr. Hyde, Jack the Ripper, and as a pièce de résistance, Gilles de Laval, Baron de Rais, that 15th century butcher of children and occult dabbler, compatriot of Joan of Arc and a man of—but of course—wealth and taste.
Russell is a trustworthy guide through this netherworld populated by crumbling castles, dank dungeons, torture chambers, bleak landscapes, twist endings, and most terrifying of all, the unfathomable cruelties of the human mind. UNHOLY TRINITY--in print today as Haunted Castles--gets my highest recommedation!
Sandwiched in the middle of the book is Russell's most famous work, "Sardonicus." The titular character's backstory is a blackly clever one, reaching back to creepy Eastern European folklore. He reveals himself to be a diabolic mastermind. The subtext is like a recasting of the Playboy philosophy, that dated libertine stew of sex, sophistication, and rationality, in terms of the Gothic. Such fun!
The final piece, "Sagittarius," is a tale-within-a-tale, two men in an upper-class club exchanging bon-mots over cigars and Scotch. You know the scene. Russell hearkens back to the Grand-Guignol--those French theatrical performances of death and dismemberment that drew standing-room-only crowds to witness buckets of stage blood spurting about. Terrific setting for a horror tale, and for Russell to show off his erudition. Into this brew he mixes Mr. Hyde, Jack the Ripper, and as a pièce de résistance, Gilles de Laval, Baron de Rais, that 15th century butcher of children and occult dabbler, compatriot of Joan of Arc and a man of—but of course—wealth and taste.
Russell is a trustworthy guide through this netherworld populated by crumbling castles, dank dungeons, torture chambers, bleak landscapes, twist endings, and most terrifying of all, the unfathomable cruelties of the human mind. UNHOLY TRINITY--in print today as Haunted Castles--gets my highest recommedation!
May 17, 2009
First published back in 1964, Ray Russell's 'Unholy Trinity' brings you three short stories of a reasonable length that hark back to the dark years of the gothic and exist somewhere between homage and pastiche.
The first short story is 'Sanguinarius', a reworking of the tale of Countess Elizabeth Bathory who was the 16th century Hungarian aristocrat who became one of history's most notorious mass murderers. The tale is told from her perspective, taking on a breath of defense for her bloody actions. Russell attempts to write the story in a 16th century style, giving an historical and credible atmosphere to the story. The writing is still easy to follow with its contemporary twist added to the text.
The next story of the trio is 'Sardonicus', in which a wealthy Polish man's face is frozen into a horrifying grin akin to that of the 'risus sardonicus' found in extreme cases of lockjaw. The tale is told by the English doctor who is summoned to try some rather radical treatments to cure the chronic affliction. The story twists and turns to a creepy conclusion, as the darkly atmospheric location takes its toll on our poor hero. This short was later to be filmed in 1961 by William Castle as 'Mr. Sardonicus', in which Russell himself adapted the story for the screenplay.
The final tale to the trilogy is 'Sagittarius', which weaves a traditional style horror story taking on the tale of Gilles de Rais as a creepy psychopath. The story weaves in plots from Jekyll and Hyde, Jack The Ripper and the Theatre du Grand Guignol, to form an involved and spectacular story. This one is by far my favorite, as it offers up some unpredictable twists throughout the short, delivering an enjoyable and entertaining horror fan's dream.
The book is a mere 144 pages, but is an absolute pleasure to read. Well worth picking up, it is a book you'll think back to for years to come.
The first short story is 'Sanguinarius', a reworking of the tale of Countess Elizabeth Bathory who was the 16th century Hungarian aristocrat who became one of history's most notorious mass murderers. The tale is told from her perspective, taking on a breath of defense for her bloody actions. Russell attempts to write the story in a 16th century style, giving an historical and credible atmosphere to the story. The writing is still easy to follow with its contemporary twist added to the text.
The next story of the trio is 'Sardonicus', in which a wealthy Polish man's face is frozen into a horrifying grin akin to that of the 'risus sardonicus' found in extreme cases of lockjaw. The tale is told by the English doctor who is summoned to try some rather radical treatments to cure the chronic affliction. The story twists and turns to a creepy conclusion, as the darkly atmospheric location takes its toll on our poor hero. This short was later to be filmed in 1961 by William Castle as 'Mr. Sardonicus', in which Russell himself adapted the story for the screenplay.
The final tale to the trilogy is 'Sagittarius', which weaves a traditional style horror story taking on the tale of Gilles de Rais as a creepy psychopath. The story weaves in plots from Jekyll and Hyde, Jack The Ripper and the Theatre du Grand Guignol, to form an involved and spectacular story. This one is by far my favorite, as it offers up some unpredictable twists throughout the short, delivering an enjoyable and entertaining horror fan's dream.
The book is a mere 144 pages, but is an absolute pleasure to read. Well worth picking up, it is a book you'll think back to for years to come.
June 30, 2018
I was quite surprised by this excellent trio of (very) Gothic stories. I've been put off for years by the cover, an awfully silly thing, but when I finally got to it I found the writing to be of the finest quality. The middle story, Sardonicus, became a fairly popular film some decades back, but I was unfamiliar with these works other than that. Some of the famous historical characters referenced include Bluebeard (the original; companion to Joan of Arc), Jekyll/Hyde, Elizabeth Bathory, Jack the Ripper, etc. It's a real treat for Penny Dreadful fans!
August 8, 2021
Amazing! Didn’t think I would enjoy Gothic novel pastiche, but my God were these good. “Sardonicus” may be the most celebrated, but I’d guess that’s only because it was published first on it’s own in a magazine. “Sagittarius” was my personal favourite.
March 20, 2018
This book was actually good. It contains 3 stories and the first 2 were awesome. The third was just ok.
December 17, 2025
Sardonicus: 4
Saggitarius: 3
Sanguinarius: 3
Saggitarius: 3
Sanguinarius: 3
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews