Discussion Group Read for April 8, 2020-- Nightmare at 20,000 feet by Richard Matheson

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Kurben

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reminder -- Kurben's reading group suggestion for April 15th - The Damned Thing, by Ambrose Bierce
I havent read that one myself so it will be interesting. Always wanted to read a little Ambrose Bierce though. He was one of the late 19, century horror slingers. A veteran of the civil war i think. Wonder if that influenced his writing...... Guess we'll see tomorrow!
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
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Ok, I'll read the damned thing.
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Kurben

The Fool on the Hill
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I dont know if this story really succeeds in its aim. I think that by its suggestion that there are things, predators no less, out there we can not see its a thing worthy to be scared off. I think he tries to plant the thought in the readers brain that the thing that happened to the man in the story can happen to everyone that takes a walk in a forest, if this is true. If so i fear he failed, at least for this cynical age of readers. It might have been different in the 1890,s, i don't know.
 
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Kurben

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I read The Damned Thing. Perhaps someone can explain it to me, because my initial impressions are unfavorable to apathetic. I’m sure I’m missing something.

As to the next Discussion Group Read, for April 22, 2020 —

I have two suggestions, to be considered in tandem:

(1) It’s A Good Life! (Jerome Bixby, 1953) —It's A Good Life: Jerome Bixby

(2) The Words of Guru (Cyril Kornbluth, 1941) — https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/sffaudio-usa/usa-pdfs/TheWordsOfGuruByC.M.KornbluthAFR5.pdf

Both should qualify as horror. I’ve commented on them several times on the SKMB and I think y’all ought to read them.
Hollis, i think there is a chance that some will miss your input and your suggestions since they are in the thread for last weeks story. There is a special thread for This Damned Thing so put them there. By the way, Kornbluth is not a bad idea.
 

Spideyman

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I read The Damned Thing. Perhaps someone can explain it to me, because my initial impressions are unfavorable to apathetic. I’m sure I’m missing something.

As to the next Discussion Group Read, for April 22, 2020 —

I have two suggestions, to be considered in tandem:

(1) It’s A Good Life! (Jerome Bixby, 1953) —It's A Good Life: Jerome Bixby

(2) The Words of Guru (Cyril Kornbluth, 1941) — https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/sffaudio-usa/usa-pdfs/TheWordsOfGuruByC.M.KornbluthAFR5.pdf

Both should qualify as horror. I’ve commented on them several times on the SKMB and I think y’all ought to read them.
Moderator is it possible to transfer this post into the current discussion group? Thank you
 
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Moderator

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Hollis, i think there is a chance that some will miss your input and your suggestions since they are in the thread for last weeks story. There is a special thread for This Damned Thing so put them there. By the way, Kornbluth is not a bad idea.
I've moved Hollis's post to the April 15 thread.
 

hollis517

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Hollis, i think there is a chance that some will miss your input and your suggestions since they are in the thread for last weeks story. There is a special thread for This Damned Thing so put them there. By the way, Kornbluth is not a bad idea.
Thanks for the tip. As to Kornbluth, this is his first published story: written at 16, published at 17. I consider it the ultimate in horror, along with the Bixby. In that one, if you (the reader) put yourself in the position of any of the townsfolk, you’ll wonder how you’d be able to police your thoughts successfully. The alternative is …
 

Moderator

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thank you!!
Thanks for the tip. As to Kornbluth, this is his first published story: written at 16, published at 17. I consider it the ultimate in horror, along with the Bixby. In that one, if you (the reader) put yourself in the position of any of the townsfolk, you’ll wonder how you’d be able to police your thoughts successfully. The alternative is …
You're welcome! :)