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Narbondo #11
The Gobblin' Society
The story begins with an inheritance. Following a protracted legal battle, Alice St. Ives, Langdon’s wife, has come into full possession of Seaward, the house left to her by her late Uncle Godfrey, a man with a number of bizarre proclivities. Heartened by this good fortune, Alice, Langdon and their surrogate son Finn prepare to take possession of the house. From this point forward, events spin out of control, taking on a madcap logic of their own that is exhilarating and—in typical Blaylock fashion—often quite funny.
What follows is, in a sense, a tale of two houses. The first, of course, is Seaward, a “rambling, eccentric old house” with it its history, its secrets, its priceless accumulation of volumes of arcane lore. The other is a neighboring house known, for good reasons, as “Gobblin’ Manor,” home base of The Gobblin’ Society, a “culinary establishment” with its own peculiar—and very dark—traditions. In the course of an event filled few days, St. Ives and his cohorts will encounter smuggling, mesmerism, kidnapping, cannibalism and murder. It is, in other words, a typical—and typically eccentric—Langdon St. Ives adventure.
What follows is, in a sense, a tale of two houses. The first, of course, is Seaward, a “rambling, eccentric old house” with it its history, its secrets, its priceless accumulation of volumes of arcane lore. The other is a neighboring house known, for good reasons, as “Gobblin’ Manor,” home base of The Gobblin’ Society, a “culinary establishment” with its own peculiar—and very dark—traditions. In the course of an event filled few days, St. Ives and his cohorts will encounter smuggling, mesmerism, kidnapping, cannibalism and murder. It is, in other words, a typical—and typically eccentric—Langdon St. Ives adventure.
173 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2020
6 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
James P. Blaylock
112 books283 followersJames Paul Blaylock is an American fantasy author. He is noted for his distinctive style. He writes in a humorous way: His characters never walk, they clump along, or when someone complains (in a flying machine) that flight is impossible, the other characters agree and show him why he's right.
He was born in Long Beach, California; studied English at California State University, Fullerton, receiving an M.A. in 1974; and lives in Orange, California, teaching creative writing at Chapman University. Many of his books are set in Orange County, California, and can more specifically be termed "fabulism" — that is, fantastic things happen in our present-day world, rather than in traditional fantasy, where the setting is often some other world. His works have also been categorized as magic realism.
He and his friends Tim Powers and K.W. Jeter were mentored by Philip K. Dick. Along with Powers he invented the poet William Ashbless. Blaylock and Powers have often collaborated with each other on writing stories, including The Better Boy, On Pirates, and The William Ashbless Memorial Cookbook.
Blaylock is also currently director of the Creative Writing Conservatory at the Orange County High School of the Arts, where Powers is Writer in Residence.
He was born in Long Beach, California; studied English at California State University, Fullerton, receiving an M.A. in 1974; and lives in Orange, California, teaching creative writing at Chapman University. Many of his books are set in Orange County, California, and can more specifically be termed "fabulism" — that is, fantastic things happen in our present-day world, rather than in traditional fantasy, where the setting is often some other world. His works have also been categorized as magic realism.
He and his friends Tim Powers and K.W. Jeter were mentored by Philip K. Dick. Along with Powers he invented the poet William Ashbless. Blaylock and Powers have often collaborated with each other on writing stories, including The Better Boy, On Pirates, and The William Ashbless Memorial Cookbook.
Blaylock is also currently director of the Creative Writing Conservatory at the Orange County High School of the Arts, where Powers is Writer in Residence.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 16, 2020
This was a ride and I enjoyed every second of it.
Find this review at Forever Lost in Literature!
I didn't initially to write this one as a mini-review, but when I started writing my review I realized it was a lot like Hearts of Oak by Eddie Robson where I didn't want to get too detailed about anything. I was really pleasantly surprised by this novella and it has definitely encourage me to check out more from James P. Blaylock. When I first read this book, there were only a few other reviews, all of which also gave the book similar high ratings to me, but now that I've just recently look I noticed it's, er, taken a bit of a nosedive due to a couple reviews, which is surprising to me! That being said, let's dive into my thoughts on this book.
What I liked: This was such a delightfully creepy and entertaining treat! Blaylock really knows how to tell a story that both shocks, excites, intrigues, and also contains some beautiful writing and entertaining dialogue. It's perfectly atmospheric, compelling, and has such a twisted sense of humor to it that I loved. The content is a little bit on the gruesome side due to subject matter and a few, uh, interesting scenes involving an unconventional source of food, and I just found the way the plot was created with this narrative was so well-done and definitely had me hooked. The characters were also surprisingly compelling and I found myself enjoying their personalities and the fact that they were all fairly intelligent about everything and actually questioned some of the strange goings-on.
What I disliked: Not a lot! There were a few spaces where the narrative was slightly dry and dragged, but this was such a minimal issue that it didn't really bother me much at all. I think a certain type of humor is needed to enjoy a book like this, and although I really enjoyed it, I'm including this in this 'dislike' are because it seems like something that might bother a lot of people and seems to be behind a few of the more negative reviews.
Overall, I gave this five stars!
Find this review at Forever Lost in Literature!
I didn't initially to write this one as a mini-review, but when I started writing my review I realized it was a lot like Hearts of Oak by Eddie Robson where I didn't want to get too detailed about anything. I was really pleasantly surprised by this novella and it has definitely encourage me to check out more from James P. Blaylock. When I first read this book, there were only a few other reviews, all of which also gave the book similar high ratings to me, but now that I've just recently look I noticed it's, er, taken a bit of a nosedive due to a couple reviews, which is surprising to me! That being said, let's dive into my thoughts on this book.
What I liked: This was such a delightfully creepy and entertaining treat! Blaylock really knows how to tell a story that both shocks, excites, intrigues, and also contains some beautiful writing and entertaining dialogue. It's perfectly atmospheric, compelling, and has such a twisted sense of humor to it that I loved. The content is a little bit on the gruesome side due to subject matter and a few, uh, interesting scenes involving an unconventional source of food, and I just found the way the plot was created with this narrative was so well-done and definitely had me hooked. The characters were also surprisingly compelling and I found myself enjoying their personalities and the fact that they were all fairly intelligent about everything and actually questioned some of the strange goings-on.
What I disliked: Not a lot! There were a few spaces where the narrative was slightly dry and dragged, but this was such a minimal issue that it didn't really bother me much at all. I think a certain type of humor is needed to enjoy a book like this, and although I really enjoyed it, I'm including this in this 'dislike' are because it seems like something that might bother a lot of people and seems to be behind a few of the more negative reviews.
Overall, I gave this five stars!
May 9, 2020
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
The Gobblin' Society is a new novella in the Langdon St. Ives series (Narbondo) written by James P. Blaylock. Released March 2020 by Subterranean Press, it's 176 pages and available in hardcover and ebook formats.
This is a very well written short novel/novella (I couldn't find a word count, but it's something of a hybrid between the two forms). The author is popular and talented and this book is full of his atmospheric storytelling. The book starts with a graphic depiction of epicurean cannibalism (a la Hannibal Lecter) which continues more or less unabated for the next 150 pages. For previous fans of the series, this entry (whilst more grisly) is much the same. For hardcore fans of horror, this might be a good choice. It works well enough as a standalone for new readers.
I would call this straight Gothic horror. I didn't find much in the way of humor in this installment and found it hard going. The author is undeniably very talented, but the graphic horror aspect was a bit too graphic and horrifying to sit very well with me, however well written.
Three stars for me, more for hardcore fans.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Gobblin' Society is a new novella in the Langdon St. Ives series (Narbondo) written by James P. Blaylock. Released March 2020 by Subterranean Press, it's 176 pages and available in hardcover and ebook formats.
This is a very well written short novel/novella (I couldn't find a word count, but it's something of a hybrid between the two forms). The author is popular and talented and this book is full of his atmospheric storytelling. The book starts with a graphic depiction of epicurean cannibalism (a la Hannibal Lecter) which continues more or less unabated for the next 150 pages. For previous fans of the series, this entry (whilst more grisly) is much the same. For hardcore fans of horror, this might be a good choice. It works well enough as a standalone for new readers.
I would call this straight Gothic horror. I didn't find much in the way of humor in this installment and found it hard going. The author is undeniably very talented, but the graphic horror aspect was a bit too graphic and horrifying to sit very well with me, however well written.
Three stars for me, more for hardcore fans.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
July 18, 2020
An enjoyable if slight read. I didn't find it as grisly as some other readers, but a film adaptation wouldn't be pleasant to watch. Still, a worthy addition to the St. Ives saga.
June 30, 2020
Nick and Nora Charles, with a Gothic Twist
Blaylock is a productive and wildly inventive writer, but surely one of his most beloved series is that featuring Langdon St. Ives and Langdon's wife Alice. Langdon is a gentleman, scientist, and adventurer, with a knack for getting into and out of spectacular and fantastic scrapes. His wife Alice is as resourceful and witty as he, and the two of them make a fine team. Langdon may get top billing in reviews and on book covers, but Alice often turns out to be made out of smarter and sterner stuff. (Not unlike the Nick and Nora of "Thin Man" fame.)
Not to belabor the point, or spoil the plot, but it should be clear from the blurbs, and from the apostrophe after "Gobblin'", that this book is built around an epicurean eating Society whose members definitely know whether humans taste of chicken. I tired of the rather extended and detailed descriptions of the club's practices, but that is the heart of the book, the mystery, and most of the action, so there wasn't much to be done about that.
Luckily, the whole is fast paced, extravagantly written, and cleverly narrated. The book is populated by a varied and engaging collection of good guys and an appropriately evil set of bad guys. Langdon and Alice are equally adept at delivering either a quip or a left hook, so they carry on nicely.
The upshot was that this was about the most fun I could expect to extract from cannibalism, and isn't that a good thing to know. A nice find.
(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
Blaylock is a productive and wildly inventive writer, but surely one of his most beloved series is that featuring Langdon St. Ives and Langdon's wife Alice. Langdon is a gentleman, scientist, and adventurer, with a knack for getting into and out of spectacular and fantastic scrapes. His wife Alice is as resourceful and witty as he, and the two of them make a fine team. Langdon may get top billing in reviews and on book covers, but Alice often turns out to be made out of smarter and sterner stuff. (Not unlike the Nick and Nora of "Thin Man" fame.)
Not to belabor the point, or spoil the plot, but it should be clear from the blurbs, and from the apostrophe after "Gobblin'", that this book is built around an epicurean eating Society whose members definitely know whether humans taste of chicken. I tired of the rather extended and detailed descriptions of the club's practices, but that is the heart of the book, the mystery, and most of the action, so there wasn't much to be done about that.
Luckily, the whole is fast paced, extravagantly written, and cleverly narrated. The book is populated by a varied and engaging collection of good guys and an appropriately evil set of bad guys. Langdon and Alice are equally adept at delivering either a quip or a left hook, so they carry on nicely.
The upshot was that this was about the most fun I could expect to extract from cannibalism, and isn't that a good thing to know. A nice find.
(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
January 11, 2020
The Gobblin Society by James Blaylock- A thoroughly enjoyable Langdon St.Ives Novella finds St.Ives and his wife, Alice journeying to her Uncle's estate, which she has just inherited. The house is located on the coast of Eastern Kent, England overlooking the channel. Along with them as is often the case the Frobisher's, Gilbert and Tubby and young Finn Conrad are attending. When they arrive they find that the ancestral home has been leased by an unscrupulous cousin of Alice, and living there is a strange man, who fancies capes and theatrical pose, named the Baron. The Baron tries almost desperately to stay for a few more days but is turned out. They will soon find out that the Baron had been using the manor for smuggling as it possessed a sea cave. This Baron has connection with the local Gobblin Society, a group of strange men with inhuman appetites and the ability to prolong animation in a body long after death. What they've been smuggling and what they've been eating becomes the horror of this dark tale. There is not much steampunk here as would be usual, but a dark stabbing bit of the macabre. Cannibals and zombies hurrah! Thanks to Netgalley and Subterranean Press for the digital review copy
July 23, 2020
Author #James P. Blaylock has delighted readers for more thirty years.And with this stay at home not lifting he’s a plus parents for the coming school year. You get Enjoy the books and follow the kids ( Or rather young adults). They feature Langdon St. Ives, adventurer, man of science, Victorian gentlemen.
The story begins with a inheritance.Following a protracted legal battle, Alice his wife has come into full possession of Seaward, the house left to her by her uncle. A man with a number of bizarre proclivities.Upon possession things will spin out of control...
What follows, is in a sense a tale of two houses.The first of course is Sesward and the next is #Gobblin Manor home base of the #The Gobblin Society. A culinary establishment that is dark. Known for smuggling,kidnapping, and mesmerizing.
Thank you,
#Netgalley, #James P. Blaylock and #Suterranean Press
The story begins with a inheritance.Following a protracted legal battle, Alice his wife has come into full possession of Seaward, the house left to her by her uncle. A man with a number of bizarre proclivities.Upon possession things will spin out of control...
What follows, is in a sense a tale of two houses.The first of course is Sesward and the next is #Gobblin Manor home base of the #The Gobblin Society. A culinary establishment that is dark. Known for smuggling,kidnapping, and mesmerizing.
Thank you,
#Netgalley, #James P. Blaylock and #Suterranean Press
March 24, 2020
I think the fact that I didn't enjoy this book is purely my fault. I read a decent amount of horror and dark fiction, but this book was just too gruesome for me. I thought the concept was fascinating and that it was well-written, but it went a little too far for me on the cannibalism descriptions for me to actually enjoy. I think it's a very polarizing book, and that others might be fine with the detailed descriptions. If the plot sounds interesting to you and you have a tough stomach for reading these descriptions, go for it. If not, maybe skip this one.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
August 26, 2021
A good, if slightly gross, time - there's no need to overthink the atmosphere of the novella, we know what we signed up for with that cover and the St. Ives series a a whole. I wasn't really swept up in this one, and I think that's my issue as the graphicness just didn't do me a solid, in this instance and with this particular storyline. I'll continue with the St. Ives series but I don't think this is one of my faves.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 23, 2020
It was, indeed, a pleasure to return to the world of Langdon St. Ives in this his latest adventure. We’ve met all the protagonists before but don’t worry if you haven’t read the other books; characters are well-fleshed out here. This short novel may be too gruesome in some parts for those of delicate sensibilities. I enjoyed it tremendously and didn’t want it to end. More, more, more.
April 11, 2020
I truly liked this story, the fleshed out characters and the good world building.
It's an enjoyable read that I recommend.
I received this ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
It's an enjoyable read that I recommend.
I received this ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
July 14, 2020
Jolly good fun!
As usual, the author stirs whimsy with wild action to produce a tale unlike any other! I can't wait for another installment in the St Ives family. The only nit to pick is a couple of typos, such as it's instead of its, and fair instead of fare.
As usual, the author stirs whimsy with wild action to produce a tale unlike any other! I can't wait for another installment in the St Ives family. The only nit to pick is a couple of typos, such as it's instead of its, and fair instead of fare.
April 23, 2021
A story for all the gourmands in the world. I'll never look at sweetbreads the same way again.
A rollicking good Langdon St. Ives tale set on the Kentish coast. Pairs well with Lewis Allen's 1944 film "The Uninvited."
A rollicking good Langdon St. Ives tale set on the Kentish coast. Pairs well with Lewis Allen's 1944 film "The Uninvited."
June 16, 2020
A very strange book. I enjoy Blaylock's work. It's always a bit dark but with humor as well.
November 17, 2020
A grisly little tale. More ghastly than his usual work, I would say.
December 28, 2020
Another St. Ives story. Like most of them a slight bit preposterous. Not so much steampunk, and more detective work. A good St. Ives story. I hope Subterranean Press publishes more.
May 24, 2023
A rollicking adventure Victoriana style featuring an inheritance and a club of cannibals.
November 3, 2024
This one starts out SO WELL . . . then . . . not so. Seemed in need a major polish/rewrite and a refocus. Still love Blaylock. Better luck next time.
Cheers.
Cheers.
July 8, 2021
I'm not a big Steampunk fan, but James Blaylock never disappoints. This is a story in the Landon St. Ives series.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
February 13, 2020
This was OK. I'm not into zombies or gruesome stories, and this has elements of both. But if that's your thing, then this is for you. Although uneven at times, the author's talent shows thru as does his imagination. This is my first book by this author.
Thanks very much for ARC for review!!
Thanks very much for ARC for review!!
June 16, 2020
"The Gobblin' Society" is an exciting, bizarre, page-turning murder-mystery in the beloved "Langdon St. Ives" series. This time around, Langdon's wife, Alice, is the recipient of a house named Seaward, left by her uncle after his death. Excited and nervous, the couple ventures out to explore her new inheritance. People from her past emerge, as well as others unknown to them. Together, they discover a secret society, aka "The Gobblin' Society," composed of a few men with extraordinary culinary tastes who have other plans for Seaward and who will stop at nothing to keep their plans at large.
This is my first "Langdon St. Ives" mystery, and will hopefully not be my last. It is fun when you discover a new series, but like in the case of reading this book, I found a few parts to be confusing, probably mostly because I am unaware of these characters and their previous adventures. The adventure in "The Gobblin' Society" is different for sure: themes of murder, manipulation, cannibalism, and thievery are all touched on and performed very well. The setting is overseas, so there are some cultural differences in the text for readers in America, but if you're familiar with works by Agatha Christie or P.D. James then you'll enjoy this piece of art.
This is my first "Langdon St. Ives" mystery, and will hopefully not be my last. It is fun when you discover a new series, but like in the case of reading this book, I found a few parts to be confusing, probably mostly because I am unaware of these characters and their previous adventures. The adventure in "The Gobblin' Society" is different for sure: themes of murder, manipulation, cannibalism, and thievery are all touched on and performed very well. The setting is overseas, so there are some cultural differences in the text for readers in America, but if you're familiar with works by Agatha Christie or P.D. James then you'll enjoy this piece of art.
January 19, 2020
The narrative felt like a comfy, cozy story from the beginning. I enjoyed the author's voice and the story itself has a lot of potential. Unfortunately, it started to drag to long without anything actually happening. Impatient readers will lose interest and move on, unless the pace moves along and things start to happen. It's a good book if you enjoy an old story type feel ,and a comfortable read with an occasional chill thrown in here and there.
January 28, 2020
I'm afraid I had to DNF this one. It was fairly well-written but far too gruesome for me.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews