They are tolling for the dead in the church belfry and the sound is as bitter as if they were striking the bell with the head of the deceased.
(Things, Alfonso Castelao)
(Things, Alfonso Castelao)
Some time ago, We set ourselves a goal, an objective, an ideal: to publish an epic poem in the parameters of Rhys Hughes, not Homer. It would be a Rhysariad. And after MOMBASA MADRIGAL AND OTHER AFRICAN ESCAPADES and Arms Against a Sea (And Other Troubles), there are Crepuscularks and Phantomimes.
The supernatural horror of cosmic intensity was an invention spawned by several authors, but usually attributed to H. P. Lovecraft. It is a fiction formulation focused in the extreme evocation of dread. But the truth is that there is something irresistibly funny even in that fearsome poetic, fictional form. And Rhys Hughes, one of the most extraordinary contemporary authors in his relentless search for landscapes, structures and forms that go beyond common sense, knows better the ways to change hideous situations into funny witticism. And this new collection of stories is more or less this kind of transformation – the horror, the laughter, the horror. In the same tradition of Jorge Luis Borges' "There are more things" and Richard Brautigan's The Hawkline Monster: A Gothic Western, this wonderful book (in Japanese binding) will scare and delight the readers at same time.
Crepuscularks and Phantomimes: Gothic, Ghostly & Lovecraftian tales in the ironic mode, a collection with fearsome short stories by Rhys Hughes. A perfect square in format (7.87 × 7.87 in.), 90 pages, with a exclusive, painfully handcrafted Japanese binding style, designed at Raphus Press Immanent Headquarters and printed by Sol Negro. As usual, this new chapbook edition will be very scarce: only 25 copies, plus some (very few) private copies. All this for only US$ 40.00 + 12.00 for mail expenses. Expected to be release at end of March, 2020. Due to the new epidemics, the sendings will start at end of April.
The supernatural horror of cosmic intensity was an invention spawned by several authors, but usually attributed to H. P. Lovecraft. It is a fiction formulation focused in the extreme evocation of dread. But the truth is that there is something irresistibly funny even in that fearsome poetic, fictional form. And Rhys Hughes, one of the most extraordinary contemporary authors in his relentless search for landscapes, structures and forms that go beyond common sense, knows better the ways to change hideous situations into funny witticism. And this new collection of stories is more or less this kind of transformation – the horror, the laughter, the horror. In the same tradition of Jorge Luis Borges' "There are more things" and Richard Brautigan's The Hawkline Monster: A Gothic Western, this wonderful book (in Japanese binding) will scare and delight the readers at same time.
Crepuscularks and Phantomimes: Gothic, Ghostly & Lovecraftian tales in the ironic mode, a collection with fearsome short stories by Rhys Hughes. A perfect square in format (7.87 × 7.87 in.), 90 pages, with a exclusive, painfully handcrafted Japanese binding style, designed at Raphus Press Immanent Headquarters and printed by Sol Negro. As usual, this new chapbook edition will be very scarce: only 25 copies, plus some (very few) private copies. All this for only US$ 40.00 + 12.00 for mail expenses. Expected to be release at end of March, 2020. Due to the new epidemics, the sendings will start at end of April.
An old book with Japanese binding, like this one.
For this edition, a special gift: another "narrative bookmark" by Rhys Hughes, Dodging an Otter.
The opinion of our readers
Golden Age of Clairvoyance
"Well I have received the books today and I had certain high expectations and I must say such high expectations were well exceeded. The selectivity of the authors as I may have mentioned before (both individually and in combination) and translations are impeccable. The book design is exquisite and enhances the holistic reading experience (by way of comparison, on first seeing the books I had the same sense of elation when I had received my first Sylph Edition Cahiers a few years ago)."
(Andrew Condous)
(Andrew Condous)
"The books look really nice - I'm especially liking the full-color images inside. Very good design."
(Damian Murphy)
(Damian Murphy)
"The chapbooks are beautiful. Well done! Equally engaging for the eye and mind."
(Rachel Kinbar)
(Rachel Kinbar)
"The initial print-run of all three is, of course, low, so any interested readers should make a quick decision; because I do hope Raphus continue on their path of intriguing little translations of the recovered uncanny and esoteric."
(Mark Andresen at Pan Review)
(Mark Andresen at Pan Review)
The great weird and fantastic connoisseur, Des Lewis, made an insightful review of Black Mirror, the second chapbook in the series, available in this link.
Spiritual Meaning of the Massacres
"Many thanks for sending me a copy of The Mendicant. It really looks rather good – a bit like one of the books you read about in short stories that start off ‘Beware if you read these words... too late!"
(Stephen Cashmore)
(Stephen Cashmore)
"It's a marvelous production, and it's great that you have resurrected the remarkable title piece. I also enjoyed the pamphlet (...). Long may Raphus Press reign!"
(Chris Mikul)
(Chris Mikul)
"I am absolutely delighted with them [The Mendicant of the Books and The Sacred Abysmal Perspective]! They are both true examples of true and original creative philosophical ingenuity, originality and also design. They are fantastickal chapbooks and it is an equal delight to have been able to contribute and to assist in other ways. Although I saw the proofed editions when you e-mailed them to me, now that they are in my hands, they veritably glow and crackle and weep with their malign embers.
I shall take myself off on a sacred journey this weekend, like the early priests going to Tibet, and will immerse myself in the deep folds and ravines these chapbooks open up."
(Jonathan Wood)
I shall take myself off on a sacred journey this weekend, like the early priests going to Tibet, and will immerse myself in the deep folds and ravines these chapbooks open up."
(Jonathan Wood)
