Between Compulsion and A Brave Respect

In 1959, John Bellairs and Al Myers went from being friends at Notre Dame to friends at the University of Chicago, John studying English and Myers in pursuit of his MBA.  Myers doesn't have as clear a memory of the two's Chicago days as he does their time in South Bend but can testify Bellairs "worked his tail off".

Myers did share one story from their days in Chicago that doesn't concern Bellairs at all.

Book Alert: オペラ座の幽霊

The Japanese edition of the The Doom of the Haunted Opera (loosely translated as Phantom of the Opera - eat your heart out, Gaston Leroux) will be published next March.

The Bullies, the Rings, and the Books

I just finished reading the 20th anniversary expanded edition of The Monster’s Ring written by popular children’s author Bruce Coville and in many ways it reminded me of some of the stories of John Bellairs, particularly The Curse of the Blue Figurine which also features a magic ring and a bully by the name of Eddie. As I read it, I was pleasantly surprised to find an actual reference to one of John’s books therein. To help get into the Halloween spirit, Russell Crannaker, the book’s protagonist, decides to read a scary story, and guess what? Russell has good taste:

Memoriam: Thomas Fuller

Novelist, dramatist, and screenwriter Thomas E. Fuller died November 21, 2002, in Duluth, Georgia following a week-long hospitalization due to a heart attack.

Book Alert: 魔女狩り人の復讐

The Japanese edition of the The Vengeance of the Witch-Finder (loosely translated as Revenge of the Witch Hunt) was published in October.

Book Alert: 遺書と地下聖堂

The Japanese edition of the The Mummy, the Will, and the Crypt (loosely translated as Will and underground sanctuary) will be published in January.

Upon Thee in Holiday Foolery

For those wanting a Bellairsian-related holiday season, why not take some trips to the Midwest?

Remembrances: John Drew

Recent comments from John Drew:

The John Bellairs I knew at [the University of] Chicago forty years ago would have stammered his way into hilarity at the idea he would ever have been the subject of a biography. I am sure John would fervently hope and pray that your project is some kind of spoof, preferably a work of hagiography. Perhaps it is? The Canonization of Saint John of Main Street? Poor old John, sitting up there playing his harp and adjusting his halo, what would he say about your project?

2002 Living History Portrayal Walk

Marshall, Michigan's Oakridge Cemetery is playing host to "A Living History Portrayal" on Saturday, October 19. It is to be a guided walking tour of Oakridge Cemetery during which actors will portray ten significant persons from the past at each of those individuals' grave sites. The actors, impersonating each individual, will provide factual information about each personage, but in the tradition of the theater - the Marshall Civic Players is one of the sponsors along with the Marshall Historical Society - the evening will be high drama!

Book Alert: The Whistle, the Grave, and the Ghost

A summary of The Whistle, the Grave and the Ghost:

In the woods near his home in Michigan, thirteen-year-old Lewis Barnavelt stumbles upon an ancient grave and silver whistle that draw him, his best friend Rose Rita Pottinger, his uncle Jonathan, and their friend Mrs. Zimmermann into a battle with an ancient evil.

Remembrances: Brian Kenny

Recent comments from Brian Kenny:

I was at the University of Chicago from 1963 to 1967 working on a Ph.D. in theoretical physics. There I met a number of people through Calvert House, a place where Catholic Chaplains lived. While there I started a group which met in the homes of various people to discuss theology and have Mass in their homes.

Book Alert: The Whistle, the Grave, and the Ghost

Brad Strickland, writing at the Compleat Bellairs:

"I've seen the new cover [for The Whistle, the Grave, and the Ghost], and alas, it is not a wraparound, though it strikes me as very good. Nice color scheme and nice 'Gorey' feel to it!

"The proposals are in...and a new non-supernatural Anthony Monday is among them. Let's see what Dial says now."

The House with an Auction in its Halls

Bryndis Rubin reports that Belcher, Dingman, Spaulding Auctioneers have announced Saturday, August 31, 2002, as the date that contents of the Jeremiah Cronin, Jr. House, the Marshall inspiration for The House with a Clock in its Walls, are presented in a public auction, as Ms. Mary Virginia Cronin, the last remaining owner of the house, passed away earlier this year at age 97. The Cronin family was one of the earliest settlers in Marshall and has long been recognized as an icon in this small town's storied history. Built in 1872, there are many memories that surround this fantastic home. Come be apart of the final chapter of the Cronin family and take home a piece of history.

Summoning the Ace of Nitwits

by guest contributor, Ron Sharp:

I am a Bellairs neophyte. I have not read all of his books, and consider myself barely knowledgeable regarding the worlds he created. I have only recently, in fact, began reading his works at the behest of those who maintain this site. I am well read and have always been interested in magic in life. In particular I’ve been fascinated by the magical way of life described in the many books written about the Toltecs.

Understanding Phil Absen

We received some comments this week from fan Brian Showers after recently re-reading The Curse of the Blue Figurine for the first time in at least a decade. He’s says that while the book was pleasing the second time around there was one glaring thing in his mind – the encounter with Phil Absen.