Status Updates From The Feathered Bough

I've long thought that I'd never experience the same level of uncanny frisson I feel while reading Ligotti with any other author, but damn does Mr. Clark seem intent on proving me wrong. The hundreds of nightmare-inducing illustrations (also by Clark) only enhances the otherworldliness.

I like many of the illustrations throughout, but the one on page 157 speaks to me the most so far. A stunning piece that is "of a piece" with the rest, but somehow elevated in my eyes.

I want to say that this is one part A Voyage to Arcturus to two parts Gormenghast, but this is its own unique mythic journey, even if it contains echoes of other works.

Men like Rudkin search for truths hidden in madness when there are none. Worse still; in examining madness the unwittingly become its host; perpetuating it, spreading the incurable disease to innocent minds.

The Orphic trip to the underworld, replete with punting boatman.

It's taken a bit to catch the rhythm of the song here, but now that I've got it, I'm humming along. A dark song, complex, rich, subtle.

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Featherbough is refuge. Featherbough is sleep. Featherbough must be remembered. Featherbough must be reached once again. I must remember the shadow-paths that trees make, the paths I was taught by Old Man Machen.