RE: Crouch End

[Houdini]

I'm sure I read all of "Nightmares & Dreamscapes" but I don't recall this particular story. Well I finished it last night and I'm glad I discovered it this time around. The story has the same sort of bad dream quality as "In the Mouth of Madness". I know we have UK members on this board so I'd like their take on how well Uncle Stevie handled the English slang.
There really is a "Crouch End" in London UK. Do a search on Google Maps and get a satellite view of the locale. Zoom in and you'll see a big clock at a busy intersection. You can take a stroll around the neighborhood if you like but it's best not to start your journey too late in the afternoon

Houdini in Omaha

 

[GNTLGNT]

 

[no bounce no play]

I'm sure I read all of "Nightmares & Dreamscapes" but I don't recall this particular story. Well I finished it last night and I'm glad I discovered it this time around. The story has the same sort of bad dream quality as "In the Mouth of Madness". I know we have UK members on this board so I'd like their take on how well Uncle Stevie handled the English slang.
There really is a "Crouch End" in London UK. Do a search on Google Maps and get a satellite view of the locale. Zoom in and you'll see a big clock at a busy intersection. You can take a stroll around the neighborhood if you like but it's best not to start your journey too late in the afternoon

Houdini in Omaha

Crouch End was first published in an anthology titled New Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos. Later, when some of the stories in Nightmares and Dreamscapes were updated, Crouch End was included in the collection. I think Crouch End may have been altered a bit in N and D but I'm not sure, I read the New Tales version.

 

[kingzeppelin]

I've read "Crouch End" a couple of times and have just "scanned" it again to refresh my memory.
Your question as to how well did SK handle the English Slang, is very hard to answer.
Like in any country, slang is very regional. So what you are really asking is, is the dialogue recognisable as North London slang as that is where Crouch End is situated.
Well, the influence of the vast mix of cultures and different ethnic backgrounds that now populate London and the whole of England has greatly diluted our Mother tongue.
So that our slang has become far more international in flavour.
The dialogue in Crouch End in my opinion, as an Anglo-Saxon born native, rather reflects a bygone era.
It is a bit "stereotypical" of how English people are thought to speak, rather than how they actually do.
But that said, I found the written conversations "real" enough, and believed what I was reading.
A thoroughly enjoyable tale with shades of Lovecraft, showing through and I loved the nod to English Hammer Horror Films, which gave me many a nightmare as a teenager!

 

[Houdini]

I've read "Crouch End" a couple of times and have just "scanned" it again to refresh my memory.
Your question as to how well did SK handle the English Slang, is very hard to answer.
Like in any country, slang is very regional. So what you are really asking is, is the dialogue recognisable as North London slang as that is where Crouch End is situated.
Well, the influence of the vast mix of cultures and different ethnic backgrounds that now populate London and the whole of England has greatly diluted our Mother tongue.
So that our slang has become far more international in flavour.
The dialogue in Crouch End in my opinion, as an Anglo-Saxon born native, rather reflects a bygone era.
It is a bit "stereotypical" of how English people are thought to speak, rather than how they actually do.
But that said, I found the written conversations "real" enough, and believed what I was reading.
A thoroughly enjoyable tale with shades of Lovecraft, showing through and I loved the nod to English Hammer Horror Films, which gave me many a nightmare as a teenager!

Thanks for your response. I actually had you in mind when I posed the question. Loved the old Hammer Films as well. I'm also a Dr. Who Fan but I'm a little out of touch with current shows. I guess the title character has regenerated yet again. A great way to keep the role fresh.
Oh by the way taxation WITH representation ain't so hot either!

Houdini in Omaha

 

[Neesy]

I've read "Crouch End" a couple of times and have just "scanned" it again to refresh my memory.
Your question as to how well did SK handle the English Slang, is very hard to answer.
Like in any country, slang is very regional. So what you are really asking is, is the dialogue recognisable as North London slang as that is where Crouch End is situated.
Well, the influence of the vast mix of cultures and different ethnic backgrounds that now populate London and the whole of England has greatly diluted our Mother tongue.
So that our slang has become far more international in flavour.
The dialogue in Crouch End in my opinion, as an Anglo-Saxon born native, rather reflects a bygone era.
It is a bit "stereotypical" of how English people are thought to speak, rather than how they actually do.
But that said, I found the written conversations "real" enough, and believed what I was reading.
A thoroughly enjoyable tale with shades of Lovecraft, showing through and I loved the nod to English Hammer Horror Films, which gave me many a nightmare as a teenager!

Mr. King lived in England for a little while (I think it was six months?). He was going to stay a year but they cut their stay short. Wasn't that around the time he wrote a book with an English author, Peter Straub? So some time in the 70s.

I should try to read this one tonight before bed, it it isn't too long. I picked up Nightmares and Dreamscapes recently and I am up to Chattery Teeth which was one of my favourites the first time around.

 

[kingzeppelin]

Mr. King lived in England for a little while (I think it was six months?). He was going to stay a year but they cut their stay short. Wasn't that around the time he wrote a book with an English author, Peter Straub? So some time in the 70s.

I should try to read this one tonight before bed, it it isn't too long. I picked up Nightmares and Dreamscapes recently and I am up to Chattery Teeth which was one of my favourites the first time around.

You're right SK met Peter Straub in London in the late 70's, and ended up co-writing two books with him. The Talisman And The Black House (I believe there is scheduled to be a third).
I enjoyed both, but particularly liked the characters and plot in The Talisman. It has a great "twist" on the werewolf legend.
Hope you got to enjoy the short story "Crouch End", am I right in thinking your copy of N & D is an Ohio souvenir?

 

[Neesy]

You're right SK met Peter Straub in London in the late 70's, and ended up co-writing two books with him. The Talisman And The Black House (I believe there is scheduled to be a third).
I enjoyed both, but particularly liked the characters and plot in The Talisman. It has a great "twist" on the werewolf legend.
Hope you got to enjoy the short story "Crouch End", am I right in thinking your copy of N & D is an Ohio souvenir?

 

[mustangclaire]

It kind of made me think of an England in the past really. Kingzepplin hit the nail right on the head

 

[Neesy]

You're right SK met Peter Straub in London in the late 70's, and ended up co-writing two books with him. The Talisman And The Black House (I believe there is scheduled to be a third).
I enjoyed both, but particularly liked the characters and plot in The Talisman. It has a great "twist" on the werewolf legend.
Hope you got to enjoy the short story "Crouch End", am I right in thinking your copy of N & D is an Ohio souvenir?

No - Nightmares and Dreamscapes is a book I already owned, Mike! (in Mansfield I bought 11/22/63 as my new book and an older used book as well). Wow - my memory is going on me. I would probably have to go look at the King Kon thread to jog my memory as to which one that was! (it was a small paperback).

Roadwork! (yes - I had to go check out the picture of the books that fushingfeef took from the book story to jog my memory)

 

[kingzeppelin]

Great picture, very atmospheric!
Sad to say nearly all of our red phone boxes have gone now, shame.

 

[Houdini]

Great picture, very atmospheric!
Sad to say nearly all of our red phone boxes have gone now, shame.

Yeah Dr. Who keeps confiscating them!

Houdini in Omaha

 

[kingzeppelin]

Great picture, very atmospheric!
Sad to say nearly all of our red phone boxes have gone now, shame.

Yeah Dr. Who keeps confiscating them!

Houdini in Omaha

You lost me? The Tardis is a blue Police phone box, so what am I missing.

 

[Houdini]

You lost me? The Tardis is a blue Police phone box, so what am I missing.

Sorry thought they were all the same color

Houdini in Omaha

 

[Neesy]

Great picture, very atmospheric!
Sad to say nearly all of our red phone boxes have gone now, shame.

Like Sundrop said in another thread - Superman has nowhere to change now! (What about Dr. Who? - was he is a phone box?)

Oooops - never mind - I quoted your post before reading the ones below it (thanks anyway)

Here is a good one - I would like a cop -puccino please

 

[kingzeppelin]

Like Sundrop said in another thread - Superman has nowhere to change now! (What about Dr. Who? - was he is a phone box?)

Oooops - never mind - I quoted your post before reading the ones below it (thanks anyway)

Here is a good one - I would like a cop -puccino please

And after a few "cop-puccinos" you might feel a need to use the facilities!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-28892903:eagerness:

 

[booklover72]

There was a series on TV 'Nightmares and Dreamscapes' I vaguely remember 'crouch end'. this is one of my favourite stories in the book.

 

[Riot87]

Yea this story was awesome. though i wish i knew what the thing under the streets was?

 

[Mr.Ace]

I often read Lovecraft lately. He has some special and unique atmosphere. I think, Mr. King succsessfully reproduced it in Crouch End. This is one of my favourites of this story-collection.

 

[Todash]

I do recall "Crouch End" as being quite effective, very Lovecraftian, but with better dialogue. (With all due respect to Mr. Lovecraft, his dialogue was some of the worst conceivable.) Also, from the very first time I heard the name Crouch End (in some innocuous story I can no longer recall), I thought it sounded more than a little terrifying. Just me?