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Rating: 25 Dark and Fantastic Tales: Jean Ray and the Rediscovery of a Master of the Fantastic
Jean Ray is one of the most fascinating figures in fantastic literature, capable of intertwining horror and mystery with rare depth and delicacy. The recent reissue of 25 Dark and Fantastic Tales, translated by Camilla Scarpa for Agenzia Alcatraz (a publishing house linked to the brand Tsunami) , undoubtedly represents the best book by Jean Ray currently on the market. Compared to the old edition by Baldini & Castoldi, the new translation by Camilla Scarpa remains more faithful to the Flemish writer compared to the previous, albeit good but more simplified, translation by Eleonora Bortolon. Although he is especially famous for the novel Malpertuis, this collection of stories fully expresses his extraordinary versatility and creative power.
Originally published in 1961, this anthology offers an evocative journey through some of the best examples of Ray's short fiction, where the gothic merges with the supernatural and nightmares become a tangible reality. The cover mirrors the aesthetics of the French version by Marabout, although nostalgics like myself continue to prefer the one from the Baldini & Castoldi edition (which always sells for 150 Euros or more on the collector’s market).
The Dark Alley: the true masterpiece of Jean Ray
As far as I'm concerned, The Dark Alley is the true masterpiece of this collection and of Jean Ray in absolute terms. Here, the author explores the multidimensionality of reality through mythical figures like the Strigis and employs the classic gothic stratagem of the discovered manuscript. In this story, Ray drags us into an alley that seems to escape the laws of physics and logic, becoming a place of pure unease. The Flemish writer's skill in creating a suffocating and mysterious atmosphere is at its peak here. The horror does not stem from explicit supernatural presences but from the inability to understand the place one is in, to escape from a labyrinth that appears more mental than physical.
The Grand Nocturnal: the call of cosmic horror
Another story that deserves particular attention is The Grand Nocturnal, often considered one of Ray's most significant tales. Here, the author evokes a mysterious and dark figure, an entity that challenges our understanding of the world and seems to summon the imagery of H.P. Lovecraft. However, Ray infuses the story with a mythological and dreamlike quality that makes it unique. The Grand Nocturnal is a story that explores the unknown in a deep and almost metaphysical way, taking the reader to a territory where dreams and reality blur. The story is charged with tension and perfectly represents that poetics of unease that characterizes Ray's work.
Jean Ray and his legacy in the fantastic
Stories like The Dark Alley and The Grand Nocturnal demonstrate how Jean Ray was able to innovate the fantastic genre without ever abandoning his gothic roots. If Lovecraft explores cosmic horror through ancient deities and alien worlds, Ray prefers to bring horror closer, insinuating it into the dark corners of our everyday reality. This collection also contains other gems, such as The Psalter of Mayence (where the influence of W.H. Hodgson emerges and where delirium reaches unattainable heights in the nightmarish vision of a phantasmagoric underwater city reminiscent of Lovecraft's famous R’Lyeh) and Storchaus or the House of the Storks, which masterfully blend legend and the supernatural. Ray's strength lies in making these stories both accessible and profound, capable of enticing both gothic enthusiasts and those approaching the fantastic genre for the first time.
25 Dark and Fantastic Tales represents not only the best book by Jean Ray but also an extraordinary gateway into his dark and unsettling universe. Whether you are a fan of gothic literature or curious to explore new frontiers of the fantastic, this anthology is an unmissable journey into the heart of an author who has made unease an art form. With stories like The Dark Alley and The Grand Nocturnal, Jean Ray offers us an intense and unforgettable reading experience, proving once again that he is one of the great masters of the genre.
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