Converse on Twitter via: #TheRippersWife, #BrandyPurdy & #EmilyPurdy
Acquired Book By:Whilst the blog tour for “The Boleyn Bride” was underway with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours, I was making my rounds to the different blogs who were hosting either an Author Interview or a Book Review, or a combination thereof. Although I was not personally connected to the blog tour myself, I oft-times find that the books which tour with HFVBT are ones that I am interested in and thereby my visits on their tour are a pure delight for me! As I am as bubbly on my visits as I am on my own blog as well as Twitter, I left some happy-hearted comments on behalf of this book & author. As she was a new-to-me author as at that point in time I had not heard of her works or known of her works as well as I do now. Shortly after my visits, I received a note from Ms. Purdy asking me if I would be interested in reading her novels. I previously received “The Boleyn Bride” and “The Queen’s Rivals”. Whilst I was working on my reviews for these novels, and putting together my interview with Ms. Purdy, she offered me to read her next release which was “The Ripper’s Wife”.
I received a complimentary ARC copy of “The Ripper’s Wife” direct from the author’s publicist at Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.
On how I know Ms. Purdy:As I was contacted originally to read both “The Boleyn Bride” and “The Queen’s Rivals”, we came to find ourselves enjoying the conversation which flowed together rather organically out of that correspondence. I have appreciated getting to know a fellow writer, especially one who writes historical fiction as that is one branch of literature although I deeply appreciate to read, was always a bit trepiderious to pen! I give such a strong nod to the writers who write such delicious historicals, because they give us a way to drink in history in an agreeable manner! I am honoured to have been given the chance to get to know her better in the process of scheduling the reviews on my blog. She even kindly enclosed bookmarks which feature her novels, and I’ve been enjoying them as I read! Bookmarks have become one of my favourite surprises to find enclosed within a book I receive for review!
I am disclosing this, to assure you that I can formulate an honest opinion, even though I have interacted with her through the past few months by email. I treat each book as a ‘new experience’, whether I personally know the author OR whether I am reading a book by them for the first time.
A note about why I was interested in reading “The Ripper’s Wife”:
I think most readers of historical fiction have come across the story of Jack the Ripper at one point or another, as the legend and lore behind the criminal mind who was Jack the Ripper has long since been re-imagined, re-told, and attempted to be brought to life on the printed page. My interest was sparked after having a conversation on The Word Wenches blog in 2013 about whether or not the real identity of the person behind the crimes was actually known; as the debate on the identity was still thick with various reports of the evidential truth. The topic has continued to become a lively debate, with new evidence emerging out of a shawl (I believe it was a shawl) yet I am not sure if the whole story will ever truly be put to bed so to speak. Between the numerous tests and the variables of time dissolving away testimonials evidence of who was alive at the time everything happened; it sparks a wonder inside the mind of a writer who wants to take on the lore and dig deeper into the story behind the horror of what happened.
When Ms. Purdy offered me a chance to read her next release in time for Halloween, part of me was curious on the level that so much is known yet incredibly so much is unknown at the same time. For me, I approached this novel from the stand-point of it being a historical fiction true crime novel with the realisation that parts of the story would be a bit more disturbing than my regular faire of choices, but with a unique point-of-view to drive the narrative forward. On that note, I was curious to see where Purdy would take the story from ‘the wife of Jack the Ripper’ in this variation of the story. Read More
After I compiled my reading list for Horror October (of which I blogged about on my post about being a Cosy Horror Girl), I knew that I wanted to borrow this particular collection from my local library. The best resource I have always enjoyed in my life are local libraries, as they have a beautiful outreach for materials outside their collection through the ILL services they provide with other libraries. (I shorten “inter-library loan” to ILL) In my particular case, my local library is part of a consortium of libraries from a portion of the libraries within my state. This means that I can draw books out of collections from larger cities as well as from University libraries. I borrowed “The Ghost Stories of Edith Wharton” and elected to blog my ruminations without any obligation to do so. The hardback edition arrived to me via a Community College library within the consortium via ILL.
Encouraged to Read By:
This was one of the novels that was compiled on the List I asked (Mr.) Gregory Fisher @ Riffle Horror to curate for me as a way for me to seek out the cosier side of the Horror genre. I have always had a pure fascination for ghost stories, as there is always such a curious route the individual writer can take as they yield to the supernatural and the presence of each ghost they bring to life on the written page. I personally have a preference for spunky & cheeky ghosts as much as spirits of the recently deceased who are in seek of help from living persons who can either aide them towards finding peace, redemption, and/or justice as a way to transition forward in peace. (I spoke more about this on my review of Lost in Thought)
I have been wanting to read more Classics since 2014 began, as I had all these wicked happy ideas of where I could soak inside the works of the writers’ who not only championed the cause for well-written fiction but who were dedicated to the craft of writing in such a way as to illicit immediate respect and admiration. When I was finally able to join tCC (the Classics Club : my List), I thought for sure each month I’d be reading at least two classic novels! Clearly my year did not pan out as I had forethought it would but that doesn’t discount the fact I knew during Horror October I could finally introduce myself to the writing style of Edith Wharton! As Wharton is already listed on my Classics TBR List due to my interactions with an after canon author during a 2013 blog tour!
The Ghost Stories of Edith Wharton are a collection of Gothic Literature Shorts set around the parapsychological phenomenon of hauntings by way of ghosts & spirits who are attached to either physical properties, (i.e. houses) or living persons of whom the ghostly spirit has found an attachment. Each of the short stories transcends what is popularly disbelieved and unwilling to become accepted as bonefide fact that there are experiences past our vision of acceptance where the supernatural lies just outside the stretch of the living soul's observational mirror.
The setting of choice for Wharton to place these stories was inside three distinctly different locales: England, Normandy, & America. Her preference was for the inclusion of a family estate to be the central focus of where her characters not only interacted with the ghosts but where the action of the story itself takes place.
Illustrative plates are included per short story to help the reader fuse directly into the heart of where Wharton hoped to take her readers with the vision of the supernatural she wished to convey.
The following short stories are included in this collection:
The Lady's Maid Bell
The Eyes
Afterward
Kerfol
The Triumph of the Night
Miss Mary Pash
Bewitched
Mr. Jones
Pomegrante Seed
The Looking Glass
All Souls'
Other Works by Wharton listed inside the collection are:
The Moose Marathon
The Mudslipper (Children's Lit)
Mistress & Other Creative Takeoffs (Short Stories)
with Desmond Sim & Kwan Loh
This summary of a synopsis was written & composed by Jorie @ Jorie Loves A Story.
Psychological Suspense and/or Cosy Horror films selected to watch during Horror October:
This is a selective list of what I may or may not watch & thus will be edited:
The Canterville Ghost (?) starring Patrick Stewart & Neve Campbell
The Woman in Black (?) starring Daniel Radcliffe
Dracula (?)
Ghost Town (2008) starring Grey Kinnear & Tea Leoni
The Ghost & Mrs. Muir
I am not quite certain how many of the films running during the fortnight on Turner Classic I will have the opportunity to watch, but the first one that aired on Tuesday was a Topper film, and as I grew up learning about the Topper tv series by way of my parent’s fond recollections, I wasn’t too sure if I wanted to jump straight into one of the film versions of the story itself. I considered it, but ultimately I decided to wait until I can watch the tv series and then gather the films in succession from that moment forward. The rest of the films are all of the selections TCM is airing between now and Halloween — therefore, if this list aides any participants in knowing which film is airing at which time of day and when, I am thankful I decided to post it! :)
Likewise, I am going to be tuning in and coming back to this post to journal my thoughts underneath each selection I am able to view! I want to keep a running total of the films I am watching throughout the fortnight and therefore, I started by mentioning the one I had seen before I even had the chance to get my posts onto my blog! I must admit, I never thought I’d come to love a ‘campy’ film, but the one I saw this week took me by surprise and gave me a good hour of a laugh! And, in the end, isn’t that just as important as becoming terrified!?
Schedule on Turner Classic Movies:
Thursday, 16th October:
The Ghost Breakers (1940) @ 8p
I positively loved this film! And, it had Bob Hope in the leading role alongside my very first “Zombie”!! I am not a Zombie girl at all when it comes to films or novels, but in this one particular case, I did not even know there was a Zombie in the film until I was already seated and enjoying the music, the old rambling house, and the mystery of how they projected the ghost rising and lowering himself into the ‘makeshift’ casket in the hallway! I loved the texture of the house itself, as much as the haunting ethereal elements of the setting! The fact that the house was as haunted as the cast feared themselves to being made it especially special! I would adore to see this film from the beginning rather than accidentally discovering it was on air towards the end! Hence my favourite part is when Bob Hope’s wife in the film came down the staircase in an elegant black dress and frightened the Zombie!
The Old Dark House (1963) @ 9:30p
This is the ‘campy’ film I saw that simply had me smiling into smirks left, right, and otherwise! I never truly understood the idea behind a ‘campy film’, but cheekily this had all the benefit of “Clue” without the sync of plot! I loved Peter Bull the most; he played twins Jasper & Casper, and for me he completely stole the role of the hour! The most incredible part of this film is how the whole presence is how one family has to stay within the walls of a house in order to inherit the inheritance! I had memories of seeing “So, I Married an Axe Murderer” coming back to mind for the comic moments as much as pieces of “Clue” interweaving throughout the plot! The whole idea is absolutely rubbish, and I think it would have lost the ‘campy’ feel if they had made the Femm family GHOSTS! Now that would have been a more uniquely driven plot! Still,… it was an hour or so I can honestly say I thought of nothing but the absurd notion that there was someone killing off the family one person at a time!
Wednesday, 22nd October:
Topper Takes a Trip (1939) @ 4:45p *decided to ILL from my library
Thursday, 23rd October:
The Uninvited (1944) @ 10p
I loved this film!
The Woman in White (1948) @ midnight
Night of Dark Shadows (1971) @ 2a
Saturday, 25th October:
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1982) @ 2p
The Haunting (1963) @ 8p
The Curse of Frankenstein (1957) @ 11:30p
Sunday, 26th October:
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (1941) @ 8p
Gaslight (1944) @ 4:15a
Tuesday, 28th October:
House of Dark Shadows (1970) @ 1p
Horror of Dracula (1958) @ 3p
Dracula, Prince of Darkness (1965) @ 4:30p
Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1969) @6:15p
Dead of Night (1945) @ 8p
Twice-Told Tales (1963) @ 10p
Thursday, 30th of October:
House on Haunted Hill (1958) @ 8p
The Legend of Hell House (1973) @ 9:30p
13 Ghosts (1960) @ 11:15p
The Haunting (1963) @ 1a
Reader Interactive Question:
Which films are you hoping to watch between now & Halloween!? Do you have seasonal favourites you like to curl up by the tv and watch annually!? Are there light-hearted comedies intermixed with psychological suspense!? Family or animated movies? Modern vs Classic!? Have you seen any of the films listed on this page that you would recommend that I NOT miss if I can ‘catch’ it on TCM? Do we share a film in common!? Share your thoughts!
{SOURCES: Horror October banner provided by Oh! The Books for participants to promote the event on their book blogs; used with permission. #OTBHorrorOctober badge for Jorie created by Jorie in Canva. Tweets embedded due to codes provided by Twitter.}
Dr. Jeykll & Mr. Hyde (1941) Original Film Trailer starring Spencer Tracy via TCM
The uncanny part of watching Tracy in this role is how well he absorbed himself into the role itself and conveyed such a primal transformation as to capture the pure horror and terror of being ‘other’ than himself within those seconds of where Hyde took over his life. I can still remember being glued to my seat whilst transfixed on his emotional conveyance of the character! Tracy had this uncanny ability to delve so deeply into his role as to bring out the raw connective tissues that stitched his essence into the heartbeat of Jekyll & Hyde; he was so tied into this role, the most chilling aspect for me was reminding myself *he!* was Spencer Tracy! The atmospheric intensity of the set decoration, the period costumes, and the elemental eerie effects of how they produced this particular version of the story solidified this as one of my favourite Tracy pictures! I also realised whilst watching this film how much I appreciate psychological suspense bordering on the horrific — as this short clip from Turner Classic demonstrates, there is quite a unique transmorphication to the Jekyll & Hyde story itself.
I can only watch this every so many Halloween’s due to the performance of Tracy and due to the intensity of how Jekyll & Hyde fit into the era in whence they lived. My goal is to read the novel and then watch the film; I had given the thought to doing this for the 2014 Horror October event but methinks it would be wiser to schedule that for 2015!
Adding to the joy for me was the inclusion of Ingrid Bergman, of whom, I had originally discovered in the film Intermezzo and lateron in Notorious & Gaslight. Her performances are golden as they are innocently natural with a gentleness of intelligence. I love watching her perform, she gave it a certain type of artistry that is also reflective and reminiscent of Spencer Tracy. For me, they were two equals who shared the screen and gave performances that never leave you!
Selection Two:
The Haunting (1963) Original Film Trailer starring via TCM
I found this film quite by accident, as I had taken a fancy to watching Turner Classic on *Halloween!* for a few years as I wanted to expand my viewings of classic films set against the backdrop of the holiday itself! I knew this would involve Classic Horror, Film Noir, Psychological Suspense, & Gothic Lit entries, but that was part of the appeal for me! What I hadn’t expected is to become so fully entertained on Classic Horror films! With each startling discovery whilst I watched one film after another per each Halloween I had tuned in, I was fascinated by everything the film-makers had used to create the appeal of creating a suspenseful night of fright! In this one, *everything!* is simply perceived and unseen – the mind of the characters in the film have convinced themselves of what they fear the most, thus giving the plot the deadliest thread of narrative! I enjoyed watching each of their technique of how they brought their characters to life and even though there is a death in the story; it is how the death occurs & why it occurs that left me full of museful thoughts on the haunted and the hauntings themselves.
Selection Three:
Mystery at the Wax Museum (1933):
I still remember being a bit creeped out about the entire premise surrounding the Wax Museum plot, but what drew me into the film itself was the original spin on it! I have this film on dvd and thus, it is one of the only Horror films I actually own! I have a small collection of Halloween & Classic Horror films on dvd, but this most definitely one of my favourites! The very nature of how the museum is curated with new ‘pieces of art’ is enough to make your hand stand on end and your stomach to flip into somersaults! There are some key comical moments, but not due to the vein of action or dialogue but due to the nature of how they filmed certain sequences — especially when they are say transporting a body? I caught myself in a near-fit of giggles, because the time of when this film was produced, they made a few gaffes as far as how they sorted out a few of the filming locations & scenes! Needless, it did not take long to feel the full breath of danger, horror, and intrigue! I nearly closed my eyes — I wasn’t sure how this one was going to end, and even though I braced myself for the worst, I admit it — I was a bit of a chicken! If Mum wasn’t watching this with me for the first time, I seriously doubt I would know the ENDING at all! Laughs. No, seriously,… I’d be in the dark! Yet. Yes. It is still a bonefide favourite!
Selection Four:
Gaslight (1944) Re-Issue Film Trailer starring Ingrid Bergman via TCM:
I hadn’t realised that Angela Lansbury had her start in motion pictures within this particular film, as I was keen on watching it after a dear friend of mine in California mentioned to me by letter how much I’d fall over the moon in LOVE with this film! She not only was quite right in that pre-assessment of my reaction, but it has become a beloved movie for me to watch around Halloween! I love everything about this film, most especially watching Ingrid Bergman’s character descend into madness & emerge out of the darkness of that plight into a stronger, braver, and very sane woman whose heart led her astray but her fortitude of strength gave her the courage to survive! I loved the details of this film, as it isn’t something you can understand completely the first time you see it; my second viewing was a full year after I had seen it originally, and I was still picking up subtle clues and little bits of foreshadowing strokes of genius! Not too many, mind you, this is a very tightly writ screenplay!
Hearing Lansbury’s cockney voice throughout the film was a pure delight for me, as I’ve been fascinated by how the words & rhymes sound out loud! You can tell even within this film the dexterity of performance Lansbury would use throughout her career! She was so young, yet held such a pose of presence as to belie her age! She would endear me years (decades, really!) lateron in her career with Murder, She Wrote as I grew up watching her sleuth her way through Cabot Cove! To go backwards in time, seeing the roots of her filmography knit together has been an absolute joy!
Selection Five:
Rear Window (1954) Re-Issue Film Trailer starring James Stewart via TCM
I wanted to focus on bonefide Horror films before shifting into straight-up Psychological Suspense films but in many ways I think the two merged together irregardless of my intentions! Hitch has been in my life for as long as I can remember, as there was something innately wicked about his films – he had this intricate way of telling a story through camera, performance, atmosphere, and that line between what is real and what is imagined real; he bridged the art of film-making with the art of story-telling with precision! Rear Window never fails to keep me on the edge of my seat, even though out of all his films, I have seen this repeatedly throughout my life! I cannot remember how old I was when I first watched an Alfred Hitchcock movie, but I believe I was at least in middle school at the time!?
James Stewart had already captured my heart from It’s A Wonderful Life (my joy of seeing a Capra film is intense!) yet in Hitchcock’s films, Stewart steps out of the warm & cosy settings of the family stories providing such a convicting performance as to make me wonder each & everytime I see this particular film if he will come out alright in the end! I kid you not, I’m always curious, will they solve this in time? Will there be enough evidence?! And, of course, I had to sort of resolve the fact the villain is Raymond Burr (my beloved Perry Mason!) of whom I wish was NOT cast in this role! Talk about giving you shivers! I never like seeing actors I appreciate in strong lead roles go ‘over to the dark side of the screen’ and this is one moment where I truly wished another actor could have played the part! I love the rest of the supporting cast, especially Thelma Ritter as Stella!
Selection Six:
Vertigo (1958) Movie Clip from the Opening Credits via TCM:
Out of all the films I could have picked as my second favourite Hitchcock, I went with Vertigo over The Lady Vanishes (1938) for the simple reason that I am never quite certain if I have sorted out the plot and by the time I realise that I know *exactly!* which way is up in this film, I find myself completely captured by the suspense of not knowing all over again! I love how I continue to watch this film in enough intervals of time as to forget half of it — which is unique considering I have a solid memory for films & books, but in this particular case, I nearly try to forget the pieces of the puzzle, because I want that ‘first look’ experience where I was wholly captured by the gravity of truth as equally as Stewart’s character was himself! Not to mention the fact, I found it incredible how Kim Novak played her role as both Madeleine & Judy!
Selection Seven:
Cape Fear (1991)
I can honestly say after I saw this film, I purged it out of my memory, it was THAT terrifying! To this day, I cannot and will not watch it for a second time! Yet, the main reason I am placing it on this list is simply because it captured what I felt the genre of Horror Films would always contain; hence the reason I made the choice to stay within the fringes of horror rather than to crossover completely into it full throttle. To say this is a favourite of mine is not as accurate as saying it was one of the most mind-numbing films I ever survived watching! I cannot deny that whilst I watched the film, it not only held my nerves in suspense but it quite literally nearly choked me into a fit of nightmares! Oy vie!
This feature post is part of my participation in:
Reader Interactive Question:
Your turn! :) What are your Top Favourite Horror Films & why!? Do you lean towards psychological suspense, thriller, & the more atmospheric side of the Horror Film genre like me? OR are you a bonefide Horror lass or bloke, who is only entertained by the harder hitting films full-on with gore & violence? List the films that captured you & the film-makers and/or studios that hold your attention the most! All answers are acceptable – even if your interests do not run parallel to mine! Speak openly! :)
{SOURCES: Horror October banner provided by Oh! The Books for participants to promote the event on their book blogs; used with permission. #OTBHorrorOctober badge for Jorie created by Jorie in Canva. Film Trailers &/or Film Clips for Classic Movies embedded due to codes provided by Turner Classic Movies. Tweets embedded due to the codes provided by Twitter.}
The Ripper’s Wife by Brandy Purdy
