Horace Walpole, The Castle of Otranto: A Gothic Story (1764) ****
Like Poe doing Shakespeare. I couldn't pin down precisely how far this pioneering pastiche's tongue is meant to be jutting out to the side, but even if it's all sincere cheese, it's still a riveting classic that doesn't outstay its welcome.
The Case of Charles Dexter Ward (1927) ***
Lovecraft's single longest work is more unadventurous homage than ultimate statement. The restraint makes it more tolerable than the stream-of-consciousness dream rambles, but these ponderous fictional biographies are hardly worth your time when you could fit in a few of the pacier classics instead. Especially since it's so unmemorable, you're liable to forget all about it and make yourself read it again a few years later.
The Shadow Out of Time (1936) ****
Another one I didn't fully take in when I went through his stories chronologically, being one of his last and mainly reworking familiar themes. Taken more in isolation it's a well-balanced sci-fi horror that's as imaginative as Wells, if not as eloquent. The sceptical spoilsport in me appreciated the ambiguity too.
Mina Loy (1914–25) **
I'd admired the futurist lunacy of The Lunar Baedeker previously, but this tiny sampling of works doesn't have a chance to bear out the lofty ideals of the manifestos, which subsequently can't help coming off as naive fancies.
H. D. (1913–33) ****
High-definition snapshots of nature and rehabilitating the women of mythology.
Dorothy Richardson (1917–39) ***
More immediate observation and introspection in unfettered prose, then it's time for the frivolity to end and on to obsolete political musings.
Paradise Lost, Books VII–XII (1667/74) ***
The diabolical prequel and worlds-building over with, we're now into the elaborate illustrated edition of Gen. 1–3, the poet's brush skilfully illuminating the complex contradictions and straight-up sexism before closing weakly with a stripped-down summary of coming attractions. My appreciation for this work is mainly back in the first half, I was always more into spectacle than character.
Paradise Regained (1671) **
Better treated as minimalist coda than a disappointing sequel, the lack of artistic embellishment in this tribute and the absence of any stakes or drama makes it largely a waste of time, but fans of the Bible franchise might get something out of it.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, cont. (a.k.a. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, 1892–93) ****
The back half of the original series contains fewer classics and more anticlimactic filler, but also completes the canonical cast. It was admirable of the author to kill off his pop culture sensation before it got stale. Since this is as far as I'd read previously, it remains to be seen whether the resurrection was worth it.
Red Dwarf (1989) *****
Many people have a favorite book they can re-read endlessly, and I guess this is mine. I have such long-standing love for the TV series that it's a harder decision than something like Hitchhiker's Guide, but I think the novels are the definitive take. Best read when you have some familiarity with the characters to care, but ideally haven't seen the early episodes so your imagination isn't restricted by a 1980s BBC budget. It did the trick for me. I'd love to write the book on this book, if only I could be bothered.
Better Than Life (1991) ****
Mirroring the progression of its television counterpart in real time, the second book is heavier on plot than character and downright heartless at times before the reward of a characteristically unconventional happy ending. It doesn't dazzle as literature like the first, but it's still funny and full of great comic sci-fi ideas, the central set piece particularly.
Extras (1984–92) ***
As if collecting the two classic novels weren't enough, we get 35 pages of variably insightful special features that were especially interesting before we were spoiled by the DVD archive – one of the proto-Dwarf Dave Hollins radio sketches, the first draft of the pilot episode (if you really need a third version of the story), and a joke beer mat destined to be taken seriously by the type of fans who contribute IMDb "trivia."
