Sardonicus and Other Stories by Ray Russell

Russell adopted a particularly 16th century prose to the writing of the short, giving an added historical and credible atmosphere to the storytelling and ultimately making a much more befitting and honest backdrop for this cruel and gloomy tale. The story is ultimately resigned to a hellish tragedy, with a thriving gothic misery engulfing our narrator as the horrors spiral towards the Countess’s pitiful end. Somewhat uniquely told from the Countess’ perspective, the short takes on a daring breath of defence for the young woman’s bloody actions, painting a picture of coercement and deflected blame. Written in the first-person-perspective of Countess Bathory herself, Russell offers up an intriguing alternative of the notoriously bloodthirsty tale of the 16th century Hungarian aristocrat Countess Elizabeth Bathory who later became known as one of history's most notorious mass murderers. And as the days pass by, a dark and blasphemous cloud begins to descend over Castle Csejthe and its inhabitants… However, when the Count Ferencz Nadasdy returns to his castle, to be greeted by his loving wife and her new bosom friend, something more sinister starts to stir. Their friendship quickly blossoms and the Countess’ longings for her departed husband soon subside. But that all changes when the gypsie woman Dorottya arrives to offer her assistance. But when the Count is called away to war, Elisabeth is left alone in the great castle with just her loving maid Ilona Joo to aid her. And following their marriage the young couple became near reclusive, wishing instead to spend all their time with each other. She basked in the warmth of his embrace and worshipped the deeply charismatic lover that he was. As a mere fifteen year old girl, Elisabeth was swept up by the handsome and masterful twenty-one year old Count.Īt first Elisabeth was overwhelmed with love and desire for the man. Incarcerated in the Castle Csejthe, Countess Elisabeth Bathory ponders the horrors that she was led into after becoming the young virgin bride of Count Ferencz Nadasdy. For a short little introduction this four page addition serves as a delightfully mood setting beginning for the delightfully gothic treats to follow. The book begins with a four page introduction by the author entitled ‘The Haunted Castle: A Confession’ in which Russell provides the reader with a brief insight into the three short stories included in the book telling of his deep love for “good old aromatic baroque tales” and his inspiration for their subject matter. First published back in 1964, US author Ray Russell's ‘Unholy Trinity’ offers up three short stories of that hark back to the dark years of gothic horror and exist somewhere between homage and pastiche.

Sardonicus and Other Stories by Ray Russell