Customer Reviews

Mr. Fox and Other Feral Tales

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The subtitles of the new Subterranean Press edition of Norm Partridge's Mr. Fox and Other Feral Tales--- "A Collection--A Recollection--A Writer's Handbook"--say it all. A hybrid of story, biography and practical advice, this volume should appeal to anyone who appreciates good writing.

Regarding the fiction: as Joe Lansdale said in his introduction to 1996's BAD INTENTIONS, "Nobody writes `em like Norm Partridge." The first eight stories here comprised the original version of Mr. Fox, which won a well-deserved Bram Stoker Award in 1993. In addition to the stories that helped build Partridge's reputation, the book contains some added bonuses--an excerpt from KISS OF DEATH, (an unpublished zombie novel), and eleven additional stories, most of which were uncollected to this point, including "The Season of Giving," a successful collaboration between Partridge and Rich Chizmar.

As if that weren't enough to sell it to potential buyers, Partridge has, in addition to an introduction and afterword, written extensive story notes for each tale, each containing his views and advice on the craft and the business of writing. As evidence of his hard won wisdom, Partridge quickly dismisses the idea of writing a "how to" book. What he does offer is a guide to the highs and lows of being a professional writer, frankly discussing the joy he found in perfecting his craft while at the same time cautioning wannabes about the myriad potential pitfalls of a writing career. Partridge pulls no punches, nor does he sugarcoat the truth.

In addition to relating personal anecdotes, Partridge provides realistic, sensible and simple guidance to writers. Partridge's basic message is that writing is hard, but worth it. Facing a personal problem? Keep writing and submitting. Depressed? Keep writing and submitting. Have doubts you'll ever be published? Keep writing and submitting. Want to improve your writing? Keep writing and submitting. Oh yeah, you also need to read widely and know your markets. That's it, in a nutshell. If you're serious, you'll persevere; if you have any talent, eventually someone will recognize it.

Highly readable, always lively, Mr. Fox is a winning blend of fiction and nonfiction. What drives the whole thing is Partridge's voice, one you're drawn to whether he's writing about a serial killer or writers paying their dues. Offering encouragement, but, most importantly, perspective, this volume provides entertainment and inspiration in equal doses.

The invisibility of Norman Partridge among fans of horror and dark fiction is difficult to understand.He is the most undervaluated writer of the 90's and the most original voice since Thomas Ligotti.
Partridge's fiction is often compared to that of Joe Lansdale, they share a love of drive-in movies, old west mythology and similar stuff, but when comes to approach and style they are poles apart and IMHO his short stories are superior to that of Lansdale.
Partridge's prose is richly textured and the facility with wich he blends genres and handle different styles borders on the scary.
The quality of Partridge's short fiction is remarkable high and even his lesser pieces are far superior to the majority of dark fiction being published today.
The expanded MR FOX AND OTHER FERAL TALES isn't Partridge`s best collection (Bad Intentions and The Man With the Barbed-Wire Fists are slightly superior) but it displays his immense range, from weird dark suspense (The Entourage) to subtle ghost stories (Vessels, Sandprints), delightful juveniles (Velvet Fangs), weird western (!Cuidado!), pop culture and media (The Beauty, Like the Night, Save the Last Dance for Me) and unclassifiable pieces ( Mr Fox), I could go on and on...
For those who aprecciate literate dark fiction Partridge is the writer.


MR FOX AND OTHER FERAL TALES:

Mr Fox ==================================== *****
The Baddest Son of a Bitch in the House === ****
Black Leather Kites =======================
Save the Last Dance For Me ================ ****
Sandprint ================================= ****
Vessels =================================== ****
In Beauty, Like the Night ================= *****
The Body Bags =============================
Cosmos ==================================== **
Stackalee ================================= ****
Tooth & Nail ============================== ****1/2
The Entourage ============================= ****
Kiss of Death ============================= **
Treats ==================================== ****
Velvet Fangs ============================== ****
!Cuidado! ================================= ****1/2
When the Fruit Comes Ripe ================= **1/2
Walkers =================================== **
The Season of Giving ====================== *****

If I had to recommend only two writing books for aspiring horror authors, "Mr. Fox" would be one of them (Stephen King's "On Writing" being the other). Partridge looks back at his first collection of stories and uses them as a framing device to dispense invaluable advice. Fans of his later work may not be as impressed with the stories here, but the writing advice is worth many times the cover price. Limited to just 750 copies, it's a damn shame that more authors may not get the chance to be schooled by Norman Partridge.

The essays on the aspects of writing justify the price of this book alone. Combination how-to and fiction collection, this ranks up their with Richard Laymon's A WRITER'S TALE.

As other reviewers have mentioned, the stories are superb and the recommendations for writers are candid and thoughtful. Like any collection, some tales are better than others. The breadth of topics, styles, and format of the stories shows an impressive range. Fans of his later work will see the seeds of it planted here. The strongest stories are truly creepy in haunting ways that make them stay with you for days and days. The others are still informative by revealing a lot about craft through their imperfections.

The notes for writers are realistic without being bitter. This is obviously a guy who writes because he has something to say and wants to say it well. It's not the usual cheer leading that you get from writing manuals. He's quite clear that this is not an easy road; anyone anticipating rewards outside of the writing process itself should probably find something else to do. In a sense, the most frightening thing about the book is the realization that a talented person can spend a lifetime honing skills and still receive modest recognition at best. In truth, though, if he discourages some people from trying, he's done them a real service.

Not nearly as good as The Man With The Barbwire Fists (another short story collection by Partridge) Mr. Fox is still enjoyable - if you can describe Partridge's brutal and forceful prose as "enjoyable". Much of his writing blows my mind. His phrasing, descriptions, action sequences, etc. the guy is just a genius. It's a pity he doesn't write more novels.

I will say this however. Much of this book, half perhaps, are kind of journal/diary notes from partridge about the stories, his career, his advice, etc. and while it is interesting, i did find myself skipping over the majority of it. I don't want a "how to" book. I loved the intro to Barbwire Fists - it was poignant and hysterical - but much of that type of writing feels like filler in Mr. Fox.

Still, a "sub-par" Partridge is better than a "high quality" anybody else.