🩸 Horror Fiction

The Smell of Telescopes

✍️ Rhys Hughes
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$33.00
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A surreal collection of horror and fantasy by Welsh writer Rhys Hughes.

This volume stands as a personal favorite for its creator, Rhys Hughes. It gathers pirates, bards, inventors, and mythical creatures like squonks into one frame. The narrative includes moving public houses and imps in a setting that blends classic horror with fantasy. Hughes uses his Welsh background to inform the tone and characters. The book is not a guide but a collection of strange tales. It invites readers into a world where logic bends to whimsy. The structure relies on the interplay between these odd elements. It does not follow a typical arc but rather explores the boundaries of the genre. Fans of the supernatural will find much to engage with here.

Key Themes
Welsh bards moving public houses squonks
Literary Context

Rhys Hughes is a Welsh writer known for his eccentric style. Eibonvale Press published this work in 2007. The book sits within the tradition of classic horror and fantasy fiction. It reflects a blend of supernatural elements and gothic sensibilities. The ISBN 9789619165218 identifies this specific physical edition.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
Mervyn Peake · Angela Carter · Clark Ashton Smith · Gene Wolfe
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Eibonvale Press 📅 2007 📖 464 pages 🌐 English 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9789619165218

📝 Description: The Smell of Telescopes

Rhys Hughes presents a surreal collection that defies conventional genre boundaries. The text features a cast of pirates, Welsh bards with floppy wrists, explorers, inventors, imps, and squonks. These figures inhabit a world where public houses move on their own accord. The work draws upon classic horror and fantasy traditions to create a quirky narrative landscape. Hughes, a writer from Wales, regards this volume as his personal favorite among his works. The collection is organized around these disparate elements rather than a linear plot. It appeals to readers who enjoy the bizarre and the supernatural. Those seeking straightforward realism or traditional historical fiction may find the content disorienting. The book suits those who appreciate the eccentricities of gothic and fantasy literature. The publisher, Eibonvale Press, released this edition in 2007. It is available as a physical book with ISBN 9789619165218. Hughes combines his Welsh heritage with broader fantastical tropes to craft a unique reading experience. The text does not shy away from the strange or the unexpected. Readers looking for a standard adventure story should look elsewhere. This volume offers a distinct alternative for the curious mind.

💎 Our verdict on The Smell of Telescopes

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Rhys Hughes crafts a unique reading experience by blending classic horror tropes with fantastical whimsy. The collection features a diverse cast, including moving public houses and Welsh bards, creating a quirky narrative landscape that defies conventional boundaries. While the lack of linear plot may disorient those seeking realism, it appeals strongly to fans of the bizarre. Hughes effectively uses his heritage to inform tone, resulting in a work that is both strange and engaging. This volume stands out for its commitment to the unexpected, offering a distinct alternative for the curious mind. It succeeds as a surreal exploration of genre limits, rewarding patience with eccentricity.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate the intersection of gothic atmosphere and surreal fantasy will find this collection deeply engaging. It is ideal for those seeking to escape linear storytelling in favor of a landscape where logic bends to whimsy. Fans of dark fantasy and cosmic horror will enjoy the presence of mythical creatures like squonks and imps alongside pirates and inventors. The book offers a distinct alternative to standard adventure tales, appealing to the curious mind. It is particularly suited for individuals who value eccentricity and the supernatural in their literature. Those willing to navigate disorienting content without traditional historical realism will find rich rewards here. It serves as a perfect companion for enthusiasts of Welsh-influenced weird fiction.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Rhys Hughes crafts a unique reading experience by blending classic horror tropes with fantastical whimsy. The collection features a diverse cast, including moving public houses and Welsh bards, creating a quirky narrative landscape that defies conventional boundaries. While the lack of linear plot may disorient those seeking realism, it appeals strongly to fans of the bizarre. Hughes effectively uses his heritage to inform tone, resulting in a work that is both strange and engaging. This volume stands out for its commitment to the unexpected, offering a distinct alternative for the curious mind. It succeeds as a surreal exploration of genre limits, rewarding patience with eccentricity.

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