With the run-up to Halloween, I read a bunch of “scary” stories. The Case Against Satan by Ray Russell was published in 1962. Penguin Books just released this new edition with an introduction by Laird Barron. The Case Against Satan anticipates two much more famous books (and movies): Rosemary’s Baby and The Exorcist. A teenage girl and her father show up at a small town church asking for help. After a series of events, the priests begin to suspect the girl is “possessed” by Satan. There’s plenty of room for doubt in this position. Could the girl have psychological problems? Could the priests be wrong? This story will stay with you long after you finish reading it. GRADE: B+
Did he write INCUBUS? I think I have that lying around, somewhere …
Sergio, yes, Ray Russell wrote INCUBUS, too. He had a fascination with the supernatural. It all started for Russell with Sardonicus and Other Stories.
Ray Russell is always worth your time. A bit light-weight, but readable.
Dan, most of Russell’s books are short. That’s a plus for me!
I’ve always enjoyed Russell’s work.
Jerry, Russell was still writing and publishing into the 1990s.
Sergio, yes.
A friend recommended Ray Russell to me 30+ years ago and I read INCUBUS and two of his collections, THE DEVIL’S MIRROR and UNHOLY TRINITY. I’ll definitely pick this one up.
Jeff, Penguin Books is publishing some interesting works in their Horror Library. THE CASE AGAINST SATAN is just the latest release.
I see my local library branch has a copy on the shelf. I have to pick up three other books today so I’ll check it out.
Jeff, THE CASE AGAINST SATAN is a quick read.
Looks great. Will check it out. Glad I don’t use Jeff’s library. He would get to it long before I did.
Patti, you might want to check out the other title in the Penguin Books. Here’s where you’ll find a list: http://www.amazon.com/Haunted-Castles-Complete-Stories-Penguin/dp/01431
Actually, Patti, in this case there are a number of copies available. Just by coincidence the Bay Ridge branch happened to have one of them. Otherwise I’d put it on hold. Today, however, I have the maximum 10 books on hold, but since 4-5 are in I can pick them up too, to add to the 6 I already have.
*sigh*
I haven’t read/heard of this author before. I’ll give him a try.
Thanks for the recommendation, George.
Beth, THE CASE AGAINST SATAN predated ROSEMARY’S BABY and THE EXORCIST. If you’d like a copy, let me know and I’ll ship one out to you.
Pass, not into horror/supernatural/satanism stuff.
Rick, there’s plenty of suspense in THE CASE AGAINST SATAN. It’s not just scary stuff.
George, the link doesn’t work. I just went to Amazon and looked under “Penguin Horror Classics” for a list.
And incidentally, despite what the library catalog said, the Russell book was not on the shelf.
Jeff, I hate when that happens (both the broken link and the book not being on the shelf). But the Penguin Horror series is well worth a look.