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Dark Voices, Vol. 4: Ashputtle
Part of the Dark Voices series, which features award-winning, best-selling authors reading their own short fiction. This volume features Peter Straub's Ashputtle.
- GenresHorror
Audio CD
First published October 15, 2006
About the author
Peter Straub
266 books4,231 followersPeter Straub was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Gordon Anthony Straub and Elvena (Nilsestuen) Straub.
Straub read voraciously from an early age, but his literary interests did not please his parents; his father hoped that he would grow up to be a professional athlete, while his mother wanted him to be a Lutheran minister. He attended Milwaukee Country Day School on a scholarship, and, during his time there, began writing.
Straub earned an honors BA in English at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1965, and an MA at Columbia University a year later. He briefly taught English at Milwaukee Country Day, then moved to Dublin, Ireland, in 1969 to work on a PhD, and to start writing professionally
After mixed success with two attempts at literary mainstream novels in the mid-1970s ("Marriages" and "Under Venus"), Straub dabbled in the supernatural for the first time with "Julia" (1975). He then wrote "If You Could See Me Now" (1977), and came to widespread public attention with his fifth novel, "Ghost Story" (1979), which was a critical success and was later adapted into a 1981 film. Several horror novels followed, with growing success, including "The Talisman" and "Black House", two fantasy-horror collaborations with Straub's long-time friend and fellow author Stephen King.
In addition to his many novels, he published several works of poetry during his lifetime.
In 1966, Straub married Susan Bitker.They had two children; their daughter, Emma Straub, is also a novelist. The family lived in Dublin from 1969 to 1972, in London from 1972 to 1979, and in the New York City area from 1979 onwards.
Straub died on September 4, 2022, aged 79, from complications of a broken hip. At the time of his death, he and his wife lived in Brooklyn (New York City).
Straub read voraciously from an early age, but his literary interests did not please his parents; his father hoped that he would grow up to be a professional athlete, while his mother wanted him to be a Lutheran minister. He attended Milwaukee Country Day School on a scholarship, and, during his time there, began writing.
Straub earned an honors BA in English at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1965, and an MA at Columbia University a year later. He briefly taught English at Milwaukee Country Day, then moved to Dublin, Ireland, in 1969 to work on a PhD, and to start writing professionally
After mixed success with two attempts at literary mainstream novels in the mid-1970s ("Marriages" and "Under Venus"), Straub dabbled in the supernatural for the first time with "Julia" (1975). He then wrote "If You Could See Me Now" (1977), and came to widespread public attention with his fifth novel, "Ghost Story" (1979), which was a critical success and was later adapted into a 1981 film. Several horror novels followed, with growing success, including "The Talisman" and "Black House", two fantasy-horror collaborations with Straub's long-time friend and fellow author Stephen King.
In addition to his many novels, he published several works of poetry during his lifetime.
In 1966, Straub married Susan Bitker.They had two children; their daughter, Emma Straub, is also a novelist. The family lived in Dublin from 1969 to 1972, in London from 1972 to 1979, and in the New York City area from 1979 onwards.
Straub died on September 4, 2022, aged 79, from complications of a broken hip. At the time of his death, he and his wife lived in Brooklyn (New York City).
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 3, 2015
An unpleasant glimpse into the mind of a kindergarten teacher. The 'feel' of the piece reminded me just a bit of 'Misery', but all the horror here is hinted at around the edges. Still, I was left with the distinct suspicion that you might not want this lady teaching your kids.
The title clearly refers to the Brothers Grimm's Cinderella story, but I didn't see a strong connection there, although the main character has indeed lost her mother, and endured a difficult childhood.
The title clearly refers to the Brothers Grimm's Cinderella story, but I didn't see a strong connection there, although the main character has indeed lost her mother, and endured a difficult childhood.
May 29, 2024
Read as part of the collection Magic Terror.
July 17, 2024
Masterful strokes of writing ~ A character study replete with parallels to fairy tales, strange obsessions and a psychoanalytic dive into a disturbed individual's mind. The stream-of-consciousness technique shines through evidently. Easily top-drawer horror material.
February 1, 2017
This is a chapbook with a audiobook CD, put out by Borderlands Press. This is a pretty good story. It's about a fat schoolteacher who has some psychological problems, originating from the love that was absent from her mother, toward her. This woman has preserved herself, by believing that she was one with nature. Also, she has a love/hate relationship with the children she teaches. For the most part she hates them, but she will find one that she loves; and that is the story.
This was a very complex story; jumping between the woman's current timeline with her teaching, her past with her mother and her mother's friend, and her exploration into her delusions. The delusions is where she is a princess, or one with nature. The complexity of the story itself makes it a joy to read. After reading the story I listened to the audio CD, read by Straub, himself. And I have to say he's horrible. It was painful to sit through Straub having the same emotion and tone for all his characters. So the audio portion has pretty bad, but the story was a fantastic read. So the package gets a 50%.
This was a very complex story; jumping between the woman's current timeline with her teaching, her past with her mother and her mother's friend, and her exploration into her delusions. The delusions is where she is a princess, or one with nature. The complexity of the story itself makes it a joy to read. After reading the story I listened to the audio CD, read by Straub, himself. And I have to say he's horrible. It was painful to sit through Straub having the same emotion and tone for all his characters. So the audio portion has pretty bad, but the story was a fantastic read. So the package gets a 50%.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews