Introduction

"one magnificent read that will go on the keeper shelf." (myshelf.com) "dark, creepy, and quirky(Clubreading.com)" you are looking for something that beckons back to more traditional horror, but still has a fresh voice, pick up this book." (Booklore.co.uk) Go ghost hunting with a ghost. Have dinner with a demon. Explore the tomb of an undead pharaoh. Discover an alien horror lurking in the attic. 16 horror short stories and poems from the works of Julie Ann Dawson.

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Excerpt

Excerpted from September and Other Stories by Julie Ann Dawson. Copyright © 2005. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
From the novella SEPTEMBER
===========================
September 12, 1923

I turned from the chalkboard to see the dead man sitting in an empty desk in the middle of the classroom.

His hair was matted with sweat and blood. A jagged gash swept from where his left eye should have been to his lower right jaw. Two ribs were exposed by the slashes in his chest. A bloody crucifix portraying a silver Christ on a black cross hung around the bruised neck. He used his left hand to hold his lower intestine in place, less it spilt onto the floor. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

In the story "A Candle for Imbolc," what is the significance of the date? How does the date tie in to the story of the candles? And what symbolic significance do the candles have in relation to the date?

In the story "To Dine with a Demon," Hoshi compares mankind before the fall to fish in an aquarium. How does this assessment of humanity in the Garden of Eden compare to other judeo-christian literature? In terms of Hoshi's explanation of the Fall, is it possible to interpret the Fall of man as a positive thing? Why or why not?

In the novella September, all three of the Collins daughters are on the verge of building successful careers, yet their mother will only be happy when they marry and have children. How does the relationship between the sisters and their mother impact the story? How does this relationship mirror the general atmosphere of the women's movement in the 1920's?

Throughout the novella September and the short stories "A Candle for Imbolc" and "The Horror in the Attic," the sanity of the protagonist is an issue. In fact, up until the meeting with her psychologist, it is possible that the incidents in the stories have actually been delusions. How does the meeting with the psychologist change your understanding of the stories, if at all? And how does this scene play a role in the ending of the novella?

In the story "Bus 264," the protagonist's dialogue remains polite and friendly toward the girl sitting next to her on the bench. Yet her internal monologue screams the exact opposite of her statements. How does this difference between her internal thoughts and external communication impact the story?

Weblinks

»	Official Book Page Official page for the book, included links to other book reviews.
»	"A Candle For Imbolc" Read "A Candle for Imbolc," one of the 16 stories and poems in this debut collection. Also find reader reviews.
»	Compulsivereader.com Book review at compulsivereader.com
»	RPG Times review A review of the book by Karen Mizeri of RPG Times
»	Epinions.com Review Consumer review at Epinions.com
»	Myshelf.com Review Review of the book by Tangela Williams of Myshelf.com

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