Peter Straub
Encyclopedia
Peter Francis Straub is an American
author
and poet
, most famous for his work in the horror
genre. His horror fiction has received numerous literary honors such as the Bram Stoker Award
, World Fantasy Award
, and International Horror Guild Award
, placing him among the most-honored horror authors in recent history.
Straub read voraciously from an early age, but his literary interests did not please his parents; his father hoped that he would grow up to be a professional athlete, while his mother wanted him to be a Lutheran minister. He attended Milwaukee Country Day School
on a scholarship, and, during his time there, began writing.
Straub earned an honors B.A. in English at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
in 1965, and an MA at Columbia University
a year later. He briefly taught English at Milwaukee Country Day, then moved to Dublin, Ireland
, in 1969 to work on a Ph.D., and to start writing professionally.
(1975). He then wrote If You Could See Me Now
(1977), and came to widespread public attention with his fifth novel, Ghost Story
(1979), which was a critical success and was later loosely adapted into a 1981 film starring Fred Astaire
. Several horror novels followed, with growing success, including The Talisman and Black House, two fantasy-horror collaborations with Straub's long-time friend and fellow author Stephen King
.
After a fallow period, Straub re-emerged in 1988 with Koko
, a nonsupernatural (though horrific) Vietnam
novel. Koko was followed in the early '90s by the related novels Mystery
and The Throat, which together with Koko make up the "Blue Rose Trilogy". These complex and intertwined novels extended Straub's explorations into metafiction
and unreliable narrator
s.
The ambitious mainstream thriller The Hellfire Club was published in 1996; the novel applied the lessons learned in the Blue Rose period to a more overtly gothic plot. Mr. X followed in 1999 with a doppelgänger
theme. In 2001, Straub and King reteamed for Black House, a loose sequel to The Talisman tying that book in with King's Dark Tower
Series. 2003 saw the publication of a new Straub novel Lost Boy, Lost Girl followed by the related In the Night Room (2004). Both of these novels won Stoker awards.
Straub also edited the Library of America
volume H. P. Lovecraft
: Tales (2005). His novel Mr. X had paid tribute to Lovecraft, as the eponymous Mr. X wrote in a similar style.
Straub has also published several books of poetry. My Life in Pictures appeared in 1971 as part of a series of six poetry pamphlets Straub published with his friend Thomas Tessier
under the Seafront Press imprint while living in Dublin. In 1972 the more substantial chapbook Ishmael was published by Turret Books in London. Straub's third book of poetry, Open Air, appeared later that same year from Irish University Press. The collection Leeson Park and Belsize Square: Poems 1970 - 1975 was published by Underwood-Miller in October 1983. This collection reprints much of Ishmael along with previously uncollected poems, but none of the poems from Open Air.
A critical essay on Straub's horror work can be found in S. T. Joshi
's book The Modern Weird Tale (2001). At the Foot of the Story Tree by Bill Sheehan discusses Straub's work before 2000.
Rumors continue to circulate that King and Straub may collaborate on a final novel, finishing the tale of Jack Sawyer and the Talisman. King himself has stated in an interview that there will be such a novel sometime in the future, and Straub confirmed that the two authors are to begin work in late 2010.
Straub also sits on the contributing editorial board of the literary journal Conjunctions
, and he guest-edited Conjunctions: 39, an issue on New Wave Fabulism.
In 2007, Straub's personal papers were acquired by the Fales Library
at New York University.
February 2010 saw the release of his latest thriller, A Dark Matter.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
and poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, most famous for his work in the horror
Horror fiction
Horror fiction also Horror fantasy is a philosophy of literature, which is intended to, or has the capacity to frighten its readers, inducing feelings of horror and terror. It creates an eerie atmosphere. Horror can be either supernatural or non-supernatural...
genre. His horror fiction has received numerous literary honors such as the Bram Stoker Award
Bram Stoker Award
The Bram Stoker Award is a recognition presented by the Horror Writers Association for "superior achievement" in horror writing. The awards have been presented annually since 1987, and the winners are selected by ballot of the Active members of the HWA...
, World Fantasy Award
World Fantasy Award
The World Fantasy Awards are annual, international awards given to authors and artists who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the field of fantasy...
, and International Horror Guild Award
International Horror Guild Award
The International Horror Guild Award is a recognition presented by the International Horror Guild to recognize the achievements of those who create in the field of horror and dark fantasy. Nancy A. Collins, the founder of the award, felt there was a need for an award granted by a large,...
, placing him among the most-honored horror authors in recent history.
Early life
Straub was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. At the age of seven, Straub was struck by a car, sustaining serious injuries. He was hospitalized for several months, and temporarily used a wheelchair after being released until he had re-learned how to walk. Straub has said that the accident made him prematurely aware of his own mortality.Straub read voraciously from an early age, but his literary interests did not please his parents; his father hoped that he would grow up to be a professional athlete, while his mother wanted him to be a Lutheran minister. He attended Milwaukee Country Day School
Milwaukee Country Day School
Milwaukee Country Day School was a country day school in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee, under the headmastership of A. Gledden Santer , who had been operating a smaller school called St. Bernard's School since 1911; the school was begun in 1917, "incorporated by leading citizens."...
on a scholarship, and, during his time there, began writing.
Straub earned an honors B.A. in English at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
in 1965, and an MA at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
a year later. He briefly taught English at Milwaukee Country Day, then moved to Dublin, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, in 1969 to work on a Ph.D., and to start writing professionally.
Career
After mixed success with two attempts at literary mainstream novels in the mid-1970s (Marriages and Under Venus - the latter not even published until he had gained fame as a horror writer), Straub dabbled in the supernatural for the first time with JuliaJulia (novel)
Julia is a 1975 novel by Peter Straub. It was the author's third novel, but the second to be published . Julia is notable among Straub's bibliography because it is his first novel to deal with the supernatural. It was published by Coward, McCann & Geoghehgan...
(1975). He then wrote If You Could See Me Now
If You Could See Me Now (Peter Straub novel)
If You Could See Me Now is the third published novel by American author Peter Straub and his second work of gothic or supernatural fiction. The book was published by Jonathan Cape in June 1977 – the same London publisher who published Julia in 1976...
(1977), and came to widespread public attention with his fifth novel, Ghost Story
Ghost Story (Straub novel)
Ghost Story is a horror novel by Peter Straub that was published in 1979 by Coward, McCann and Geoghegan. It was adapted into a film in 1981.The novel was a watershed in Straub's career...
(1979), which was a critical success and was later loosely adapted into a 1981 film starring Fred Astaire
Fred Astaire
Fred Astaire was an American film and Broadway stage dancer, choreographer, singer and actor. His stage and subsequent film career spanned a total of 76 years, during which he made 31 musical films. He was named the fifth Greatest Male Star of All Time by the American Film Institute...
. Several horror novels followed, with growing success, including The Talisman and Black House, two fantasy-horror collaborations with Straub's long-time friend and fellow author Stephen King
Stephen King
Stephen Edwin King is an American author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy fiction. His books have sold more than 350 million copies and have been adapted into a number of feature films, television movies and comic books...
.
After a fallow period, Straub re-emerged in 1988 with Koko
Koko (novel)
Koko is a mystery novel written by Peter Straub and first published in the United States in 1988 by EP Dutton, and in Great Britain by Viking...
, a nonsupernatural (though horrific) Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
novel. Koko was followed in the early '90s by the related novels Mystery
Mystery (novel)
Mystery is a 1990 novel by American author Peter Straub, and is the second installment in Straub's loosely connected "Blue Rose Trilogy". The novel falls into the genre of crime fiction, and was preceded by the highly acclaimed Koko and followed by The Throat. The book was published by E.P...
and The Throat, which together with Koko make up the "Blue Rose Trilogy". These complex and intertwined novels extended Straub's explorations into metafiction
Metafiction
Metafiction, also known as Romantic irony in the context of Romantic works of literature, is a type of fiction that self-consciously addresses the devices of fiction, exposing the fictional illusion...
and unreliable narrator
Unreliable narrator
An unreliable narrator is a narrator, whether in literature, film, or theatre, whose credibility has been seriously compromised. The term was coined in 1961 by Wayne C. Booth in The Rhetoric of Fiction. This narrative mode is one that can be developed by an author for a number of reasons, usually...
s.
The ambitious mainstream thriller The Hellfire Club was published in 1996; the novel applied the lessons learned in the Blue Rose period to a more overtly gothic plot. Mr. X followed in 1999 with a doppelgänger
Doppelgänger
In fiction and folklore, a doppelgänger is a paranormal double of a living person, typically representing evil or misfortune...
theme. In 2001, Straub and King reteamed for Black House, a loose sequel to The Talisman tying that book in with King's Dark Tower
The Dark Tower (series)
The Dark Tower is a series of books written by American author Stephen King, which incorporates themes from multiple genres, including fantasy, science fantasy, horror and western. It describes a "Gunslinger" and his quest toward a tower, the nature of which is both physical and metaphorical. King...
Series. 2003 saw the publication of a new Straub novel Lost Boy, Lost Girl followed by the related In the Night Room (2004). Both of these novels won Stoker awards.
Straub also edited the Library of America
Library of America
The Library of America is a nonprofit publisher of classic American literature.- Overview and history :Founded in 1979 with seed money from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Ford Foundation, the LoA has published over 200 volumes by a wide range of authors from Mark Twain to Philip...
volume H. P. Lovecraft
H. P. Lovecraft
Howard Phillips Lovecraft --often credited as H.P. Lovecraft — was an American author of horror, fantasy and science fiction, especially the subgenre known as weird fiction....
: Tales (2005). His novel Mr. X had paid tribute to Lovecraft, as the eponymous Mr. X wrote in a similar style.
Straub has also published several books of poetry. My Life in Pictures appeared in 1971 as part of a series of six poetry pamphlets Straub published with his friend Thomas Tessier
Thomas Tessier
Thomas Tessier is an American writer of horror novels and short stories. He has also written poetry and drama.- Overview :...
under the Seafront Press imprint while living in Dublin. In 1972 the more substantial chapbook Ishmael was published by Turret Books in London. Straub's third book of poetry, Open Air, appeared later that same year from Irish University Press. The collection Leeson Park and Belsize Square: Poems 1970 - 1975 was published by Underwood-Miller in October 1983. This collection reprints much of Ishmael along with previously uncollected poems, but none of the poems from Open Air.
A critical essay on Straub's horror work can be found in S. T. Joshi
S. T. Joshi
Sunand Tryambak Joshi — known as S. T. Joshi — is an award-winning Indian American literary critic, novelist, and a leading figure in the study of Howard Phillips Lovecraft and other authors of weird and fantastic fiction...
's book The Modern Weird Tale (2001). At the Foot of the Story Tree by Bill Sheehan discusses Straub's work before 2000.
Rumors continue to circulate that King and Straub may collaborate on a final novel, finishing the tale of Jack Sawyer and the Talisman. King himself has stated in an interview that there will be such a novel sometime in the future, and Straub confirmed that the two authors are to begin work in late 2010.
Straub also sits on the contributing editorial board of the literary journal Conjunctions
Conjunctions
Conjunctions, is a biannual American literary journal based at Bard College. It was founded in 1981 and is currently edited by Bradford Morrow....
, and he guest-edited Conjunctions: 39, an issue on New Wave Fabulism.
In 2007, Straub's personal papers were acquired by the Fales Library
Fales Library
New York University's Fales Library and Special Collections is located on the third floor of the Elmer Holmes Bobst Library at 70 Washington Square South between LaGuardia Place and the Schwartz Plaza, in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. It houses nearly 200,000...
at New York University.
February 2010 saw the release of his latest thriller, A Dark Matter.
Novels
- 1973: Marriages
- 1974: Under Venus
- 1975: JuliaJulia (novel)Julia is a 1975 novel by Peter Straub. It was the author's third novel, but the second to be published . Julia is notable among Straub's bibliography because it is his first novel to deal with the supernatural. It was published by Coward, McCann & Geoghehgan...
- 1977: If You Could See Me NowIf You Could See Me Now (Peter Straub novel)If You Could See Me Now is the third published novel by American author Peter Straub and his second work of gothic or supernatural fiction. The book was published by Jonathan Cape in June 1977 – the same London publisher who published Julia in 1976...
- 1979: Ghost Story
- 1980: ShadowlandShadowland (Straub novel)Shadowland is a novel by Peter Straub, first published in 1980 by Coward, McCann and Geohegen. It is a horror novel that has strong elements of fantasy...
(World Fantasy AwardWorld Fantasy AwardThe World Fantasy Awards are annual, international awards given to authors and artists who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the field of fantasy...
nominee, 1981) - 1983: Floating DragonFloating DragonFloating Dragon is the seventh novel by author Peter Straub, originally published by Underwood-Miller in November 1982 and G.P. Putnam's Sons in February 1983.-Synopsis:...
(Winner of the 1984 August Derleth AwardAugust Derleth AwardThe August Derleth Award is an annual award given out by members of the British Fantasy Society for best novel of the year. The award is named after American writer and editor August Derleth.-Winners of the August Derleth Award:...
) - 1984: The Talisman (with Stephen KingStephen KingStephen Edwin King is an American author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy fiction. His books have sold more than 350 million copies and have been adapted into a number of feature films, television movies and comic books...
, winner of the 1985 WorldWorld Fantasy Award for Best NovelThis World Fantasy Award is given to the fantasy novel or novels voted best by a panel of judges, and presented each year at the World Fantasy Convention.-1975:...
and LocusLocus Award for Best Fantasy NovelLocus Award for Best Fantasy Novel is one of the awards given by Locus Magazine.-External links:* * *...
Fantasy Awards) - 1988: KokoKoko (novel)Koko is a mystery novel written by Peter Straub and first published in the United States in 1988 by EP Dutton, and in Great Britain by Viking...
(Winner of the 1989 World Fantasy AwardWorld Fantasy AwardThe World Fantasy Awards are annual, international awards given to authors and artists who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the field of fantasy...
) - 1990: MysteryMystery (novel)Mystery is a 1990 novel by American author Peter Straub, and is the second installment in Straub's loosely connected "Blue Rose Trilogy". The novel falls into the genre of crime fiction, and was preceded by the highly acclaimed Koko and followed by The Throat. The book was published by E.P...
- 1993: The Throat (winner of the 1993 Bram Stoker AwardBram Stoker AwardThe Bram Stoker Award is a recognition presented by the Horror Writers Association for "superior achievement" in horror writing. The awards have been presented annually since 1987, and the winners are selected by ballot of the Active members of the HWA...
and 1994 WFA nominee) - 1995: The Hellfire Club (1996 Bram StokerBram Stoker AwardThe Bram Stoker Award is a recognition presented by the Horror Writers Association for "superior achievement" in horror writing. The awards have been presented annually since 1987, and the winners are selected by ballot of the Active members of the HWA...
and 1997 August DerlethAugust Derleth AwardThe August Derleth Award is an annual award given out by members of the British Fantasy Society for best novel of the year. The award is named after American writer and editor August Derleth.-Winners of the August Derleth Award:...
Awards nominee) - 1999: Mr. X (winner of the 1999 Bram Stoker AwardBram Stoker AwardThe Bram Stoker Award is a recognition presented by the Horror Writers Association for "superior achievement" in horror writing. The awards have been presented annually since 1987, and the winners are selected by ballot of the Active members of the HWA...
and August Derleth AwardAugust Derleth AwardThe August Derleth Award is an annual award given out by members of the British Fantasy Society for best novel of the year. The award is named after American writer and editor August Derleth.-Winners of the August Derleth Award:...
nominee) - 2001: Black House (with Stephen KingStephen KingStephen Edwin King is an American author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy fiction. His books have sold more than 350 million copies and have been adapted into a number of feature films, television movies and comic books...
, 2001 Bram Stoker AwardBram Stoker AwardThe Bram Stoker Award is a recognition presented by the Horror Writers Association for "superior achievement" in horror writing. The awards have been presented annually since 1987, and the winners are selected by ballot of the Active members of the HWA...
nominee) - 2003: Lost Boy, Lost GirlLost Boy, Lost GirlLost Boy, Lost Girl is a 2003 horror/suspense novel by Peter Straub. The book won the 2003 Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel in 2003 Bram Stoker Award and was a 2004 August Derleth Award nominee.A sequel, In the Night Room , follows.-Synopsis:...
(winner of the 2003 Bram Stoker AwardBram Stoker AwardThe Bram Stoker Award is a recognition presented by the Horror Writers Association for "superior achievement" in horror writing. The awards have been presented annually since 1987, and the winners are selected by ballot of the Active members of the HWA...
and 2004 August Derleth AwardAugust Derleth AwardThe August Derleth Award is an annual award given out by members of the British Fantasy Society for best novel of the year. The award is named after American writer and editor August Derleth.-Winners of the August Derleth Award:...
nominee) - 2004: In The Night Room (Winner of the 2004 Bram Stoker AwardBram Stoker AwardThe Bram Stoker Award is a recognition presented by the Horror Writers Association for "superior achievement" in horror writing. The awards have been presented annually since 1987, and the winners are selected by ballot of the Active members of the HWA...
) - 2010: A Dark Matter (Winner of the 2010 Bram Stoker AwardBram Stoker AwardThe Bram Stoker Award is a recognition presented by the Horror Writers Association for "superior achievement" in horror writing. The awards have been presented annually since 1987, and the winners are selected by ballot of the Active members of the HWA...
)
Short Stories
- 1990: Houses Without Doors (includes "A Short Guide to the CityA Short Guide to the City"A Short Guide to the City" is a 1990 short story by American horror writer Peter Straub collected in Houses Without Doors. It blends and fuses two disparate literary forms: a self congratulatory travel brochure published by a city's Chamber of Commerce and a news report about the murderous...
" and a shorter version of Mrs. GodMrs. God (novel)Mrs. God is a fantasy novel by Peter Straub. It was first published in 1990 by Donald M. Grant, Publisher, Inc. in an edition of 1,350 copies, of which 600 copies were signed by the author and the artist, bound in quarter leather and slipcased as a deluxe edition...
) - 1993: The Ghost Village (winner of World Fantasy Award) (1993)
- 2000: Magic Terror (includes "Pork Pie Hat (novella)")
- 2002: "Perdido (Fragment of a Work in Progress)" (short story)
- 2007: 5 Stories; Winner of Bram Stoker AwardBram Stoker AwardThe Bram Stoker Award is a recognition presented by the Horror Writers Association for "superior achievement" in horror writing. The awards have been presented annually since 1987, and the winners are selected by ballot of the Active members of the HWA...
- 2010: The Juniper Tree and Other Stories
Novellas
- 1982: The General's WifeThe General's WifeThe General's Wife is a horror short story by Peter Straub. It was first published in 1982 by Donald M. Grant, Publisher, Inc. in an edition of 1,200 copies and was issued without a jacket. The story is from a previously unpublished extract from the manuscript of Straub's novel, Floating Dragon....
- 1990: Mrs. GodMrs. God (novel)Mrs. God is a fantasy novel by Peter Straub. It was first published in 1990 by Donald M. Grant, Publisher, Inc. in an edition of 1,350 copies, of which 600 copies were signed by the author and the artist, bound in quarter leather and slipcased as a deluxe edition...
(collected in "Houses Without Doors") - 1993 Bunny is Good Bread (collected in "Magic Terror"
- 1997 Mr. Clubb and Mr. Cuff (collected in "Magic Terror")
- 1999: Pork Pie Hat (collected in "Magic Terror")
- 2010: A Special Place- The Heart of a Dark Matter (outtake from "A Dark Matter")
- 2011: The Ballad of Ballard and Sandrine
Poems
- 1971: My Life in Pictures
- 1972: Ishmael
- 1972: Open Air
- 1983: Leeson Park and Belsize Square: Poems 1970 - 1975
Omnibus Editions
- 1984: Wild Animals (collects the novels Julia, If You Could See Me Now, and Under Venus)
Additional reading
- Hauntings: The Official Peter Straub Bibliography, Michael R. CollingsMichael R. CollingsMichael Robert Collings is an author, poet, literary critic, and bibliographer, and a former professor of creative writing and literature at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. He was Poet in Residence at Pepperdine's Seaver College from 1997-2000...