The Grin of the Dark
Select Format
Select Condition 
Book Overview
A former professor offers film critic Simon the chance of a lifetime-to write a book on one of the greatest long-lost comedians of the silent-film era, Tubby Thackeray.?Simon is determined to find out the truth behind the jolly fat man's disappearance from film-and from the world.? Tubby's work carries the unmistakable stamp of the macabre.? People literally laughed themselves to death during his performances.? Soon, wherever Simon goes, laughter-and a clown's wide, threatening grin-follow.? Is Simon losing his mind?? Or is Tubby Thackeray waiting for him to open the door back to the world? Ramsey Campbell has won a dozen British Fantasy and World Fantasy Awards and three Bram Stoker Awards. A new Campbell novel is an opportunity to delight in the craftsmanship of an extraordinary writer.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:076531939X
ISBN13:9780765319395
Release Date:July 2008
Publisher:Tor Books
Length:381 Pages
Weight:1.18 lbs.
Dimensions:1.3" x 6.0" x 8.7"
Related Subjects
Contemporary Fiction Genre Fiction Horror Literature & Fiction Mystery, Thriller & SuspenseCustomer Reviews
2 ratings
Disjointed creepiness from page 1, and never lets up.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
This is the most unusual horror novel I have read in a long time. There's practically no violence, none of blood and guts that is so ubiquitous in the horror genre, but there IS an absolutely unrelenting sense of impending dread and the climax of the book is far more satisfying than any gratuitous splatterfest. Half-seen, suggested weirdness pervades the book's atmosphere, and you're never quite sure if the narrator is completely off his rocker. This book is deft, subtle, and absolutely masterful, a needle driven in the ear rather than a roaring chainsaw.
Great book by a great author!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
This is a very good book by Mr. Campbell. There are a number of very surrealistic and spooky scenes in it, such as disembodied faces that slid along the floor, a bunch of bizarre clowns that put on a strange almost threatening performance just to name a couple. It involves a man writing a book about a long forgotten silent film star and his supressed films. The search takes the main character to several places where he encounters people who seem unnaturally agressive towards him. A very intriguing section deals with a person on a messageboard whose screen name is Smilemime. Smilemime is a major thorn in the main characters side throughout and creates a mystery as to who he is. This is a fun and concise read that has short chapters, so it reads pretty quickly. My favorite Campbell book remaines Incarnate, but this one isn't far behind.
Copyright © 2025 Thriftbooks.com
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information | Cookie Policy | Cookie Preferences | Accessibility Statement
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
