Haunted Castles: The Complete Gothic Stories
Haunted Castles: The Complete Gothic Stories
By Ray Russell
The Sexton’s musings (spoilers possible):
I had never heard of Ray Russell (for shame) before this collection. I will be discussing each story separately however I want to make mention that the style with which Russell writes is for me the epitome of Gothic horror. Very much like Bram Stokers Dracula, Russell’s style is both haunting and beautiful.
Sardonicus (1961)
YES! This is it! This is Gothic horror at its best. It is subtle, written for a more genteel audience. No foul language or excessive gore (not that there is anything wrong with those things). Gothic horror is about feeling, a sense of dread if you will all done through descriptive language that places you right there in the middle of the darkness. This is an examination into the human heart and mind. A show of what guilt can really do to a person’s soul. In fact, our antagonist’s guilt is as plain as the smile on his face. That smile was a constant reminder of the beginning of his depravity, a depravity that continued to grow and fester with time. All written as an account by Sir Dr. Robert Cargrave many years after his visit to Castle Sardonicus. While there the good doctor is tasked with finding a cure for the ailment for the husband of his childhood friend Maude. He finds out later what a truly despicable man he is. And when his regular treatments fail to provide a cure, being very clever, he utilizes psychology. An elaborate set up is devised and the plan executed, succeeding to convince Sardonicus that he is cured. Giving freedom to both himself and Maude from the company of his depraved, desiesed mind. With the “smile” gone he believes himself cured but his own mind still held on to guilt that birthed the ailment in the first place. The ending is most satisfying, allowing the reader to infer what they will. This story takes place right in the heart of Ghoul country my fiends and will make you feel right at home!
Sagittarius (1962)
As an avid reader of true crime and classic horror I was excited to have a story that combines one of the best Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886) and one of the most notorious serial killers in the history of the world Jack the Ripper. Of course we cannot forget the mention of Bluebeard (1697) a French folktale published by Charles Perrault. Definitely some heavy hitters in this story that is weaved in a wonderful and disturbing way. Where Sardonicus was more subtle in its horrors this one is more viscerally gruesome. There are some descriptions that may affect those that are sensitive to gore and violence however, once again, we are not anywhere near the realm of today’s extreme horror or even today’s mainstream horror. In fact, even the bloodier more violent scenes are uncharacteristically beautiful in their eloquent description written by Russell. The layered stories are done very well with an ending that will put a knowing smirk on that demented mouth or yours Ghoulies.
Sanguinarius (1967)
My first introduction to Elizabeth Bathory was through the 2006 film Stay Alive. While this is an obvious dramatization of the Bathory story, it is known that she never set foot on American soil as she is thought to have perished in 1614, the horrors that she has been said to participate in, hinted at in this film, are indeed part of history. Another Bathory type character is seen in 2007 film Hostel Part 2 where a young woman is bled into a tub by a naked, perverse, skeletal woman. However the true events that follow the name Bathory are for less dramatic and far more tragic. This story though follows the actual events that took place all that time ago in a small village in Hungry where 15 year old, newly wed, Elizabeth Bathory becomes Countess of Castle Csejthe. For all intent and purpose this is a true crime story. Much like the books currently written by author Ryan Green we see the events from the perspective of the perpetrator. And while there had been true crime novels published around the same time, Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood (1966) that are perhaps more well-known, this lesser known account of the tragic, depraved life of Elizabeth Bathory is one that true crime fans should not miss. While it is written in the vernacular of the time it is set in, this in my opinion only adds to the atmosphere of the story giving it a more haunted feel.
Comet Wine (1967)
I will start out by stating that I absolutely love that in this shorter work we revisit characters from Sardonicus. The bulk of the story is in the form of letters written from Harry Stanton to his friend Sir Robert Cargrave. The letters were procured by an obsessive, music historian from the estate sale of Francis Cargrave who was Sir Robert’s grandson. The unknown author, who is eliciting help from others who have deep interest in everything music history, is writing a correspondence in the hope that another researcher can help identify the Russian composer mentioned in the letters from Harry, V. I. Cholodenko. Like most of Russel’s other stories in this collection there are references to other works, many of them music with one exception, Faust (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1808 (Pt I) and 1823 (Pt II)). Most Ghoulies and layman are familiar with the story of Faust. If not I highly you familiarize yourself prior to reading this particular story. The twist will have more meaning should you understand the reference. While the ending is subtle, there is good reason the amateur historian is unable to find anything regarding the elusive composer. The one thing that I think is up for interpretation is the and why Russell focused on this fine detail of the story. I suspect that it is due to the insight that Stanton has when collaborating with Cholodenko after indulging in the comet wine. This collaboration being the chink in the armor of the young composer’s new found talent. I could be wrong of course…
The Runaway Lovers (1967)
Short and sweet. It’s amazing what a stressful situation can do to two people who think that they are in love. Honestly they are both guilty. He knew she was married and she, apparently, could not manage to keep her legs crossed. This was not a relationship….this was sex as their willingness to through each other under the bus is proof. I do think that it is interesting that she was willing to give up the money and title for her bit of fluff so I suppose she may have thought there was something there between them. Ultimately the question is did the Duke set them up for their fate as it happens, making him a most cunning and evil man or was it nothing more than just a matter of them getting into their own heads and offing themselves simply out of fear of torture? Perhaps that’s for us to decide…
The Vendetta (1969)
Once again we visit our friends Harry Stanton and Sir Robert Cargrave. This story is completely contained within a letter the Stanton sent to Cargrave while traveling in Italy. Venice to be specific. The questions posed by Stanton near the end of his letter are the questions that need answering with regard to the tale we are told about the previous owner of the palazzo Stanton is staying in. Ultimately though is makes perfect sense the Carlo refused every suitor that came seeking his sisters hand. Any feeling left in this angry heart of mine does go to Ramon and Fiammetta as none the acts committed via the vendetta were their fault. Both were children when it occurred. While I am also one to hold a grudge the vendetta, should the truth have been uttered by Carlo, was taken out on the wrong individuals so much after as to make the actions of Carlo vendetta worthy. The start of the letter lends a beautiful description of the Venetian surroundings that Stanton finds himself. I am envious.
The Cage (1959)
I have found that these older men with titles marry these young, “beautiful” girls just to find that they cheat with the nearest handsome beau and need suffer appropriate punishment as an adulteress. Best advice – stop marrying young, egotistical, psychologically ugly, girls and look upon real women with respect enough to marry, love and be loved in return. They continue to make the same mistakes over and over. Although thou shalt not suffer a fool to live. It is no wonder that the very devil should infiltrate the home and tear down its walls with all of these fools in charge.