Fun in the Snow

Strange that water in its solid form, although cold to the touch, should offer so many opportunities for simple pure fun!


I'm now pondering what great novels I have read in which snow and ice are important factors. For example, there's an early Michael Moorcock novel, The Ice Schooner, not one of his best but still worth reading; I also recall with affection an excellent, very stark book by the Norwegian writer Tarjei Vesaas called The Ice Palace.


I'm sure there must be many more superb fictions that utilise snowy backdrops or foregrounds. I have waiting for me in a box of unread books two novels by Blaise Cendrars, Dan Yack and The Confessions of Dan Yack. The first of these at least seems to be strongly snow- and ice- themed. Everything I've read by Cendrars so far has been astounding!


Any recommendations of such books will be gratefully received!

Why I Dislike Horror

I have often said that I dislike horror -- horror fiction, horror films, horror soups (tripe and onions), in fact anything that has anything to do with horror. But I've never really explained why this should be so. It's time I provided such an explanation. Here it is!

I dislike the "horror" genre because when it comes to any particular horror product, it either (a) works, or (b) doesn't work.

If (a) is true then the result is that it scares me. I am frightened! I don't like being frightened, thanks! Last night I was sitting on a sofa with my best friend and a piece of fluff fell down on us. I'm not sure exactly what it was or where it came from. It might have been part of a ceiling cobweb. For an instant I didn't know what it was and I was alarmed! I made an alarmed expression with my face. My friend noticed my expression and it caused her to panic. She jumped up, cried out in fear and flailed at me with her arms while shouting, "What is it? What is it? What is IT?"

I didn't enjoy that experience. I don't believe that feelings of terror are useful to me. This holds true whatever the context. I don't like it when I cross the road and almost get hit by a speeding car. I don't like being menaced by savage dogs, bison or vultures. I just don't like being scared. In fact I regard it as an attack! If something frightens me, then it has opened hostilities on me. That's the way I see it. And I will defend myself. If I can't defend myself because I lack time or opportunity, I will plan revenge against the thing that has scared me! If a spider runs out at me from under the bed, I will dress as a giant bird and wait for it the next time with massively gaping cardboard beak. If a real werewolf lunges at me out of the night, I will dig a pit trap lined with silver spikes before the next full moon. And if I read a horror novel that frightens me, I will plan equally lethal retaliation against the author.

On the other hand, or talon, if (b) is the case, then the product has failed to do what it promised and I will want my money back. I will demand other forms of penance and reparations too... So horror can't win. That's why I dislike it. And possibly why it dislikes me.