Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Bloomsbury USA Childrens (2007), Edition: First Edition, Hardcover, 192 pages
Description
During a visit to his eccentric Uncle Montague to hear several grisly tales behind the unique artifacts in his collection, Edgar discovers the truth about his uncle's past.
User reviews
LibraryThing member SamuelW
Would you (or your child) read a book of short stories? Probably not. You would most likely just flick through it, read a couple of the stories, and then set the book aside in favour of something else. But you would read Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror – from beginning to end – because Chris
As with any collection of short stories, the quality of the tales varies. Some of them are clever, with a wicked sting in the tail – 'The Gilt Frame', for example. Some are not quite as impressive – like 'Jinn' – and some are just plain weird – like 'Offerings'. Whilst the overall quality is good, it is imperative that, in a book such as this, each and every story pulls its own weight – and not all of them do. Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror is perhaps the darkest children's book I have ever read, and at times it risks becoming a little too dark. Any story that further drags at the mood of the writing without giving something back – and there are a couple of these – would be better off cut from the book altogether.
At the end of the day, these tales are no more frightening than those which might be told around the fire at a school camp. I have complete confidence in the ability of young readers to cope with each and every one of them. What makes Uncle Montague so irresponsible is that he tells Edgar tale after tale after tale, battering him relentlessly with misery. This book then, should be read one story at a time – perhaps each night before bed over the course of eleven nights. In moderation, Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror will thrill and chill you – in excess, it will only numb and depress you.
Chris Priestley should be congratulated; he has taken a risk, and created an enjoyable and original book that will appeal to many (albeit not all) young readers. Don't read it all at once – but do read it after dark, under the covers, with a torch.
Show More
Priestley has created something quite ingenious. His latest work – a deliciously stylised and decidedly creepy read – is not quite a collection of short stories and not quite a novel, but something in between. The overarching mystery of Uncle Montague is used to segue between each story, and keeps the reader turning pages all the way through, just as they would with a novel, while simultaneously leaving them free to enjoy each story in its own right.As with any collection of short stories, the quality of the tales varies. Some of them are clever, with a wicked sting in the tail – 'The Gilt Frame', for example. Some are not quite as impressive – like 'Jinn' – and some are just plain weird – like 'Offerings'. Whilst the overall quality is good, it is imperative that, in a book such as this, each and every story pulls its own weight – and not all of them do. Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror is perhaps the darkest children's book I have ever read, and at times it risks becoming a little too dark. Any story that further drags at the mood of the writing without giving something back – and there are a couple of these – would be better off cut from the book altogether.
At the end of the day, these tales are no more frightening than those which might be told around the fire at a school camp. I have complete confidence in the ability of young readers to cope with each and every one of them. What makes Uncle Montague so irresponsible is that he tells Edgar tale after tale after tale, battering him relentlessly with misery. This book then, should be read one story at a time – perhaps each night before bed over the course of eleven nights. In moderation, Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror will thrill and chill you – in excess, it will only numb and depress you.
Chris Priestley should be congratulated; he has taken a risk, and created an enjoyable and original book that will appeal to many (albeit not all) young readers. Don't read it all at once – but do read it after dark, under the covers, with a torch.
Show Less
LibraryThing member bookwormygirl
Young Edgar loves visiting his eccentric, Great-Great Uncle Montague even if it means going though the spooky woods to get there. For Uncle Montague is a very talented storyteller and has a story to tell about all the creepy odds and ends he has lying around his study.
I loved the goosebumpy feeling
Needless to say, I thought Mr. Priestley delivered with this group of stories. The underlying story of Uncle Montague and Edgar was, I think, the creepiest by far... but I won't give anything away. I loved the wordplay used, I think Mr. Priestley has a talent for using simple words and descriptions that definitely enhance his stories and make them far more sinister. Although I felt some of the stories ended quite abruptly, in retrospect, I think, this was what made me think of them well after I was done reading them.
I recommend that younger readers take the warning on the back cover seriously, as this isn't a book to be read alone or late at night... especially those who are faint of heart. If they are brave enough, then I definitely recommend a quick glance in the closet and definitely take a peek under the bed.
As the not-so-young adult I am, I found these to be deliciously creepy, spine-tingling and definitely worth the read.
I loved the goosebumpy feeling
Show More
I had the whole time I read this book. The fact that each tale’s main character was a child made it even more spooky for me. I loved the gothicy feel each tale had and although the stories were short they were definitely potent and got their message across. As always, my main complaint with short stories... that they are just too short and right when I'm finally getting into the story they end.Needless to say, I thought Mr. Priestley delivered with this group of stories. The underlying story of Uncle Montague and Edgar was, I think, the creepiest by far... but I won't give anything away. I loved the wordplay used, I think Mr. Priestley has a talent for using simple words and descriptions that definitely enhance his stories and make them far more sinister. Although I felt some of the stories ended quite abruptly, in retrospect, I think, this was what made me think of them well after I was done reading them.
I recommend that younger readers take the warning on the back cover seriously, as this isn't a book to be read alone or late at night... especially those who are faint of heart. If they are brave enough, then I definitely recommend a quick glance in the closet and definitely take a peek under the bed.
As the not-so-young adult I am, I found these to be deliciously creepy, spine-tingling and definitely worth the read.
Show Less
LibraryThing member RealLifeReading
Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror is such a delight. It would be the ideal RIP read, but reading it in the chilly wintry nights did just fine. Enchanting and endearing in that creepy sort of way. If you like Tim Burton movies, this book’s for you.
LibraryThing member gothydevil
A great collection of spine-tingling short stories all
wrapped in a larger story that has a great twist at the very end.....
wrapped in a larger story that has a great twist at the very end.....
LibraryThing member hagelrat
This is a wonderful book for readers of all ages, but should be read under the duvet by torchlight. I expected a fairly creepy offering, but in the best tradition of fairy tales this is a book of short stories in which horrible things happen to children, for no particular reason other than life can
Show More
be like that. The stories are interwoven with the wider tale of Edgar’s visits to his Uncle, the story teller and an increasing sense of trepidation as we head back to the fireplace each time. Something more is going on here, are these really just made up stories to frighten a small boy or is something considerably more sinister occurring? Show Less
LibraryThing member phoebesmum
imagine a cross between M R James and Edward Gorey, in particular 'The Gashlycrumb Tinies', and you pretty much have this book spread out in a nutshell. Solitary Edgar is in the habit, during the school holidays, of visiting his Uncle Montague, an equally solitary soul whose house (or at any rate
The stories themselves vary; some are genuinely scary, others fall flat, while still others are just plain weird, but they're short enough to read several in one sitting, and the entire book isn't likely to take more than an evening or two. David Robert's black and white illos add to the Goreyesque quality and contribute considerably to the overall atmosphere.
Show More
the study, the only room Edgar has ever been in, save the lavatory) is filled with curios, each of which has a story behind it. A ghastly, creepy story which inevitably ends in the grisly death of its juvenile protagonist. And, behind it all, there is Uncle Montague's own strange and sinister history, and the mystery of the children who haunt the woods that Edgar must pass through …The stories themselves vary; some are genuinely scary, others fall flat, while still others are just plain weird, but they're short enough to read several in one sitting, and the entire book isn't likely to take more than an evening or two. David Robert's black and white illos add to the Goreyesque quality and contribute considerably to the overall atmosphere.
Show Less
LibraryThing member cflorap
Poor Edward. He has dull parents, won't play with the local kids when he's home from boarding school, and is dull and unimaginative himself. But visits with his old Uncle Montague (no one is sure how many "great"s should go before his name, so Edward just calls him Uncle) start to awaken some fear
These ghost stories within a ghost story are wonderfully creepy and disturbing, reminiscent of Edgar Allen Poe, with Roberts' illustrations reminding one of Edward Gorey. Easily frightened readers may want to avoid Priestly's Tales of Terror books, or at least refrain from reading them before bed, but they would be perfect for reading aloud at a Halloween or slumber party.
The Tales of Terror books are recommended for middle school audiences, although younger readers who enjoy ghost stories will like them as well. The short chapters, suspense, and fast pace also make these great for reluctant readers.
Show More
in the boy. Uncle Montague lives alone in the woods in a cold, dark house full of mysterious items that each seem to have a ghastly history that unfolds in a chilling tale. Edward wants to believe these are just stories, because how could Uncle know stories in which most of the protagonists mysteriously died or disappeared? What's more, how could he possibly own the accursed items that were responsible?These ghost stories within a ghost story are wonderfully creepy and disturbing, reminiscent of Edgar Allen Poe, with Roberts' illustrations reminding one of Edward Gorey. Easily frightened readers may want to avoid Priestly's Tales of Terror books, or at least refrain from reading them before bed, but they would be perfect for reading aloud at a Halloween or slumber party.
The Tales of Terror books are recommended for middle school audiences, although younger readers who enjoy ghost stories will like them as well. The short chapters, suspense, and fast pace also make these great for reluctant readers.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Beyre
This book was an enjoyable read even for this adult, though the audience is intended for youth. Filled with wonderful descriptions and charming illustrations, the book flowed nicely with short stories that were tied together. Though the stories are short, the characters within are given adequate
Show More
introduction and brought to life. Some stories were a little bit gruesome, but most were pretty mild. Show Less
LibraryThing member passion4reading
At home from boarding school, Edgar is a lonely child who likes to escape his indifferent parents to visit his relation of unknown degree, called Uncle Montague, to listen to stories. And what stories they are! This latest visit incorporates items from around the study into each tale, and then
This is a collection of self-contained short stories framed by a larger narrative involving Uncle Montague and Edgar. Even though the tales aren't quite up to the standard of his other work Tales of Terror from the Black Ship in my opinion, they are nevertheless sinister and frightening, just occasionally bordering on the unpleasant. Edgar's narration on the other hand is a marvellous study in creepiness, the author managing to increase the tension and suspense in small degrees, creating a wonderful sense of foreboding and unease until all is revealed at the end. I especially liked the idea of the sugar bowl on the tea tray having to be refilled at regular intervals and Edgar blaming this on his uncle's sweet tooth, even though he never actually sees him take one.
As always I admire Chris Priestley's twisted imagination that can conjure up stories like these, and even though the narratives' subjects are children, don't be fooled into thinking that this is a children's book, some of the stories are far too disturbing for a younger readership. Worth re-reading again and again.
Show More
Uncle Montague tops it all off by narrating a final story where he himself is the subject.This is a collection of self-contained short stories framed by a larger narrative involving Uncle Montague and Edgar. Even though the tales aren't quite up to the standard of his other work Tales of Terror from the Black Ship in my opinion, they are nevertheless sinister and frightening, just occasionally bordering on the unpleasant. Edgar's narration on the other hand is a marvellous study in creepiness, the author managing to increase the tension and suspense in small degrees, creating a wonderful sense of foreboding and unease until all is revealed at the end. I especially liked the idea of the sugar bowl on the tea tray having to be refilled at regular intervals and Edgar blaming this on his uncle's sweet tooth, even though he never actually sees him take one.
As always I admire Chris Priestley's twisted imagination that can conjure up stories like these, and even though the narratives' subjects are children, don't be fooled into thinking that this is a children's book, some of the stories are far too disturbing for a younger readership. Worth re-reading again and again.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Cynical_Ames
Better suited to much younger readers than myself, perhaps 9-12 year olds.
Subjects
Awards
Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing (Nominee — 2009)
Manchester Book Award (Longlist — 2009)
Original publication date
2007 (eng.)
Physical description
192 p.; 8.04 inches
ISBN
1599901188 / 9781599901183