[books 2011] Ramsey Campbell

38. The Grin of the Dark by Ramsey Campbell

This is the first novel I've read of Campbell's, having previously only encountered his short stories.

The premise is a young journalist between jobs, given a lucrative job to write a book about lost silent film stars, in particular to rehabilitate a slapstick comedian called Tubby Thackeray. Weird things start to happen around him, and his life turns completely awful, and all proof of Tubby's existence is obliterated as soon as the character watches it.

One of the endorsements on the cover of the book says something to the effect of Campbell giving you nightmares while you're still awake. That just about sums it up. This is a really scary book, and very well written. I thought the ending was a little disappointing, but even so I thoroughly recommend this book.

Improbable economics

In the epic stew-making process I had going yesterday, a very heavy pan got dropped on my 20-year-old cafetiere. While it's possible to just replace the glass, the metal parts had started to rust a while back so I declared it a write-off and went to Debenham's to get a new one.

The Debenham's brand ones were really cheap and nasty (surprising, because Debenham's is pretty up market), so I looked at the Bodum cafetieres. Until I saw the price. I almost had a heart attack.

I've been coveting a filter drip coffee maker for years but we don't really have space. The most basic model was on sale for £10, less than the cheap and nasty cafetiere.

That has got to be completely Bad and Wrong (yes I know the filter machine was probably made in China by child slaves). How can the electrical unit be cheaper?

Anyway, I have a new toy, although the kettle now has to live somewhere stupid.


Speaking of economics, last week's grocery bill also left me gasping for breath - my comment was "I either have to start buying ingredients and cooking[1] or shopping at Aldi.

Yesterday, we did both. I can be not too miserable if I make up a huge batch of something and freeze it in individual portions, so I cooked up a veggie stew (9 meals worth!). This week's experiment is whether Aldi shredded wheat is edible - it's 100% whole wheat so I don't see how it can go wrong, but in my student days I tried knock-off corn flakes and it wasn't pretty. I'll keep you posted.



[1] This may sound logical, but I loathe cooking to the point that it's a quality of life thing.