THE BLOODY CHAMBER AND OTHER STORIES

‘The Bloody Chamber & Other Stories’ is a vintage classic by the English novelist and short story writer Angela Carter. Written in 1979, the collection is a reworking of familiar fairy-tales as well as other lesser known stories of vampires and werewolves that are presented as sensual fantastical novelettes. Carter injects a new conscience into the original stories, looking at the role of the demure submissive heroine and ideas, flipping the tales on their heads and definitely worth a re-read in 2024! With a rich and illuminating writing style these dark and sometimes subversive tales are perfect for longer evenings - when our imaginations are on high alert!

‘The Bloody Chamber’ is the longest story in the collection, telling the tale of a young girl who marries a wealthy widowed Marquis. After consummating the marriage the Marquis leaves the young bride alone at his castle with strict instruction not to enter one particular room. However leaving her with the forbidden key she finds herself unlocking the chamber to reveal some disturbing discoveries. Of course she is tempted. Lured into the bloody chamber we recognise her vulnerability and anticipate the dangerous consequences. Sexuality and violence are strong themes and there is plenty of warning from the author. “His wedding gift, clasped round my throat. A choker of rubies, two inches wide like an extraordinary precious slit throat.”.

Although the narrative, on the surface is very familiar, there is an explicit expression of macabre. Carter’s imaginative language is detailed and her exquisite visual descriptions tease us with the story’s direction of travel! Towards darker and bloodier tales. Readers may recognise ‘The Courtship of Mr Lyon’ with Beauty & the Beast, although Carter’s re-imaging is sensual with gothic undertones. ‘Tiger’s Bride’ takes the reader to Italy, this time with a mysterious Beast who wins his bride in a poker game. Whilst recognising the objectification of women in Carter’s tales she also challenges the balance of power between the sexes and in some instances giving power to the powerless.

It’s by no means an easy read but the Den reflected on Carter as a women’s writer in the late ‘70s, at a time when women were gaining more freedom in their personal lives with opinions beginning to be seen and heard. ‘The Bloody Chamber & Other Stories’ also reflects the political and cultural restlessness of England - in which Thatcher had just risen to power, artists such as Bowie were redefining gender and the celebration of sex and violence in their cultural lives .. think Sex Pistols!

Considered one of the most influential writers in the twentieth century, ‘The Bloody Chamber & Other Stories’ was a winner of Cheltenham Literary Festival Prize, 1979 and is studied today as a popular A level text. Definitely worth a go as a wild card choice!