Dan Rhodes is an author known for his novel "Little Hands Clapping," which explores themes of loneliness and the importance of love and human connection. However, Rhodes has also written a book about the occult, titled "The Cult of the Amateur." In this book, Rhodes investigates the fascination and allure of the occult, discussing its history and impact on society. The main idea of the book is to examine why people are drawn to the occult and what it says about human nature and our desire for meaning and transcendence. Rhodes explores various occult practices, such as divination, rituals, and spells, offering a critical analysis of their significance and implications. He also delves into the psychology behind occult beliefs and the power they hold over individuals and communities.
Will Errickson Portland , OR, United States I collect vintage horror paperbacks. Co-author, with Grady Hendrix, of the Bram Stoker Award-winning PAPERBACKS FROM HELL: THE TWISTED HISTORY OF '70s AND '80s HORROR FICTION (2017) from Quirk Books View my complete profile
It s quiet, allusive, historical horror here all the way, which was fine, a couple gory touches, but I definitely felt it lacked a certain je ne sais quoi , or maybe I just mean it needed more oomph in narrative, dramatic tension. Sheriff Dan Rhodes claims he can t join the Clearview Community Barbershop Chorus because he s too busy busting crime twenty-four hours a day in Crider s wryly humorous if somewhat sleepy 16th sleuthathon after 2008 039.
He also delves into the psychology behind occult beliefs and the power they hold over individuals and communities. In doing so, Rhodes challenges traditional beliefs and raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of faith, superstition, and the search for spirituality in a secular world. Overall, "The Cult of the Amateur" provides a thought-provoking exploration of the occult and its role in our society, encouraging readers to critically examine their own beliefs and the impact of the supernatural on their lives.
Dan rhodes occult book
Not much to catch the eye in this classy cover art for Next, After Lucifer (July 1988), but the critical blurbs seem to be impressed! One of those authors about whom I never knew anything but whose paperbacks have been plentiful in used bookstores for years, Daniel Rhodes had two more titles published in the late Eighties through Tor's prolific horror line, Adversary and Kiss of Death, from 1989 and 1990 respectively. In the United Kingdom they were put out by New English Library—adorned with much better cover art—complete with Graham Masterton singing the praises.
Looking into the author, turns out Rhodes is a pen name of thriller author Neil McMahon, who is still hard at work today. I was pleasantly surprised to find Next, After Lucifer to be written in a style not usually found in horror paperbacks, elevated and inspired by the stories of M.R. James—the novel is dedicated to the writer—but with requisite updating (drug use, illicit sex). Actually, it was published in hardcover by St. Martin's Press, which might explain the higher quality prose and all-around cultured nature of the tale within.
Anyway, there's an ancient evil in a quaint French town where American medieval studies scholar John McTell and his indifferent newlywed wife Linden are taking a sabbatical. It's Templar Knight Guilhem de Courdeval from the 14th century, burned at the stake for sorcery and various occult antics, whose spirit is trying to invade McTell, thanks to McTell stumbling across the knight's grimoire in castle ruins in the hills. Come on, dude, you're a medieval studies prof, you know waaay better than to mess with that stuff.
Rhodes is a literate and careful writer, and I was impressed by the depiction of local color, an indulgent priest, the villagers, and especially the snobby, drunken antics of Linden's sister, husband, and a Eurotrash hanger-on who crash the McTells' getaway and liven up the proceedings. It's quiet, allusive, historical horror here all the way, which was fine, a couple gory touches, but I definitely felt it lacked a certain je ne sais quoi, or maybe I just mean it needed more oomph in narrative, dramatic tension. Plus there's a sequel I didn't know about, Adversary, so that means the climax is a touch half-hearted. Worth a read, worth adding to your collection, but remember to watch out for grimoires that write themselves.
4 comments:
highwayknees said.Literally have never heard of him ,or these, and have never seen the books in a used book store.Granted the covers are hardly memorable.
I remember sites like ISFDB and Goodreads used to have Kiss of Death listed as the third in the trilogy, but I guess that was wrong since I could never find any references to those earlier books while flipping through it. Either way, great writeup, Will.
Jack Tripper said.Actually, it appears as though Kiss of Death is at last tangentially related to the previous two (featuring the same big baddie), according to Kirkus Reviews: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/a/daniel-rhodes/kiss-of-death/
Jay Rothermel said.I explored some Jamesian recapitulations of the novel here: http://jayrothermel.blogspot.com/2018/03/a-potboiler-for-curious-next-after.html
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Reviews for "Unmasking the Occult: Dan Rhodes' Book Demystified"
1. Emily - 1 star
I was really disappointed with "Dan Rhodes Occult Book". The writing was tedious and confusing, making it difficult to follow the storyline. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with them. Additionally, the book seemed to jump around too much, leaving important plot points unresolved. Overall, I would not recommend this book to others.
2. Jacob - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Dan Rhodes Occult Book", but it fell short of my expectations. The plot started off promising, but as the story progressed, it became convoluted and difficult to comprehend. The humor felt forced and the witty remarks were few and far between. I also found it challenging to stay engaged with the characters, as their actions and motivations were unclear. Sadly, this book did not live up to the hype.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
"Dan Rhodes Occult Book" was a letdown for me. The author attempted to create a mysterious and enchanting atmosphere, but it just felt contrived. The writing style was verbose and unnecessarily complicated, making it a struggle to read through the pages. The plot lacked coherence and direction, leaving me confused and uninterested. While I appreciate the author's attempt to explore the occult, the execution fell flat. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking an engaging and satisfying read.
4. Ryan - 1 star
I found "Dan Rhodes Occult Book" to be a tedious and confusing read. It seemed as if the author tried to incorporate too many elements into the story, resulting in a convoluted and disjointed plotline. The characters were poorly developed and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with them. Additionally, the writing style was inconsistent, with abrupt transitions and a lack of cohesive narrative flow. Overall, I struggled to find any redeeming qualities in this book and would not recommend it to others.