One unusual thing about this story is that it doesn't take place in a fictional town but in Boston.
What did you think of the story?
What did you think of the story?
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First thing that caught me after a re read--- vibes of DT and Low Men in Yellow coats. Since it is a written story, with detailed description (that SK does so well), ones minds -eye makes pictures. I kept seeing the Can toi as the batmen creatures. Too much DT?
Enjoyed the story.
That was a creepy story - not sure but the mutant described in the expensive suit sounded a bit like the Can Toi - made me think that some folks in high places might just be quite evil underneath. Plus I had to look up one word - phylacteries.I think they are Can toi. When we first read this story back in 1993, it was too early in the DT universe to notice the connection.
The John Carpenter movie “They Live” always reminds me of this story.
I did, too. Well, not at your grandparents' house but y'know...How the world has moved on! I don't know how many hours I spent laying on the living room floor at my grandparent's house, just picking an encyclopedia at random and thumbing through it, looking at pictures and reading whatever caught my eye.
I did, too. Well, not at your grandparents' house but y'know...
It was an exhilarating thing, to my ten year old mind, to possess such vast knowledge in 26 volumes and feel the godlike power of learning about foreign lands and exotic animals. I don't think I would reflexively categorize myself as a nerd but I loved books and had an insatiable thirst for knowledge.
I wonder if today's kids take for granted the world wide web? To them, I imagine, typing a word in the search bar is as casual or commonplace as brushing their teeth.
No, but that's interesting. I believe our set was a hand-me-down from a family member because most of my experience with encyclopedias had been at the school library and classrooms. I bet your kids enjoyed collecting those. How cool!Did you have grocery stores that sold encyclopedias-
I know MY kids do take it for granted. It is as natural to them to find info on the web as using encyclopedias and the card catalog was to us. Hand any of my kids an actual, printed dictionary and watch the funny looks you get.I did, too. Well, not at your grandparents' house but y'know...
It was an exhilarating thing, to my ten year old mind, to possess such vast knowledge in 26 volumes and feel the godlike power of learning about foreign lands and exotic animals. I don't think I would reflexively categorize myself as a nerd but I loved books and had an insatiable thirst for knowledge.
I wonder if today's kids take for granted the world wide web? To them, I imagine, typing a word in the search bar is as casual or commonplace as brushing their teeth.
I never thought about Can-Toi, but it was a long time before I read any DT. But I know what you mean about keeping a close eye on and spent a lot of time thinking about fellow smokers.....I agree with the supposition that these "batmen" are just another version of Can-Toi....and to think he wrote this in just 3 days!......for quite a while afterward I kept a close eye on fellow smoke chokers.......
What is your first favorite? I forget. "Dolan's Cadillac"?OOoo.. Crouch End. My second favorite in N&D
What is your first favorite? I forget. "Dolan's Cadillac"?
Yes, I did some investigating.
Haha I finished this story today and I was thoroughly spooked! But not as much as I am reading crouch end! But I liked this story, was interesting an spooky....I agree with the supposition that these "batmen" are just another version of Can-Toi....and to think he wrote this in just 3 days!......for quite a while afterward I kept a close eye on fellow smoke chokers.......