It was split into three parts - Vampires, Werewolves and Demons - Haunted Houses, Ghosts and Spectres (not sure what the difference is between a ghost and a spectre) - and finally Mysterious Forces & Strange Powers. Part 3 was a bit tame - Uri Geller, astral projection, fakirs and ESP blah blah. But the other two parts scared the shit out of me. You think 'Usborne', you think 'engaging', 'educational', 'child-friendly', 'nicely illustrated'. Hmm.
There was something about the 70s and 80s. They were just really...unsettling. Everything seemed bleak and gritty, though that might just have been because I grew up in a very dull northern provincial town where grey was a primary colour. But it seemed perfectly acceptable to scare the bejesus out of kids. Think back to any of the Public Information films you used to watch at school - they took time to build up suspense and tension, they were meant to frighten you to death and give you weeks of nightmares. Cheers.
I sat there gripping the chunky corduroy, half fascinated half terrified. It was a muggy summer's afternoon. There was a thunderstorm outside. The lights in the shop flickered. I didn't sleep that night.
You sir, are one lucky individual, ive been trying to get my hands on this book FORE ever, mainly for nostalgic purposes, you see, i had it when i was around six, that was a while back and the illistartions scared the Sh** outta me, so i never had a chance to really read it, now i am looking EVERY WHERE FOR IT, can you tell me where you obtained your copy?
ReplyDeleteI had this book, bought as part of a primary school reading scheme! could you please email me the isbn so I can track it down? thanks - Hugh
ReplyDeleteh@bluetanso.com
It's a great book, still have it
ReplyDelete