Eyelidiad – Rhys H Hughes
TANJEN 1996
My previous reviews of Rhys Hughes: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/494-2/
My previous reviews of older or classic books: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/reviews-of-older-books/
When I re-read this book, my thoughts will appear in the comment stream below…
Someone mentioned elsewhere:
“This pic looks to be an artistic representation of the Shadow Of Love single by The Damned: HERE”
There are many other Alan Casey artworks throughout this book, artworks perhaps even more incredible.
CHAPTERS 1 to 4
“Blisters,” he said. He removed a bag of ginger biscuits. “For each injury sustained on the quest, a simple pleasure in return.”
Alternately, we read as if two mind-fizzing stories, firstly one about a highwayman called Darktree in conversation with his own portrait. But if I am wrong, you must correct me, as Nick Abbot might say. And, secondly, the gravedigger with Shovel and Raven. A bit UnderMilkwoodish with references to a backwards Holdall. And a god called Beer’or. This work is unique even for Rhys Hughes. Producing here early on in his writing career something roughly where he intends to end up — his greatest work till he produces his last one.
“Did you grope her fancy?”
“You read too many novellas.” – it says at one point in it. Talk about self-referential or reta reta meta-made. Even a pub called THE NAMELESS TAVERN renamed from THE CTHULHU ARMS and much much more. It is probably the worst or best novella you have ever read, according to your taste. Nothing in between. The blurb on the back gives you no idea as to its multi-references and fizzing narratives. Having read it before, I was glad to see it has weathered well. Nobody else has managed to break the meaning-barrier like this author during the period in between except this author himself, or a portrait of himself. But which is real? And the multifarious artworks by Alan Casey are genuinely even more staggering and stunning after percolation during all the intervening years since I saw them (I have only shown a few of them above).
Eyelidiad is a book that if it didn’t exist before it would have to exist now. Nothing I can say in a real-time review proper could possibly do justice to it. So I have decided that shortly I shall spend my time doing justice, instead, to another book* that I can hopefully bring out of the closet properly and give attention to what I remember being prime RhysHughesian stuff that is reviewable, unlike Eyelidiad that is beautifully UNreviewable. I am glad I got at least one Owl eyelid in a photo above of the book.
*Engelbrecht Again! (https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2019/04/24/engelbrecht-again-rhys-hughes/)
I have also ordered a rare copy of LEVIATHAN #2 whereby I can review The Darktree Wheel, in due course.