In Episode 521, Ryan and Jose are joined by David Blair for another Book Club of Blood. This time, we cover "Confessions of a (Pornographer's) Shroud".
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Book Club of Blood Discussion:
Books. Of Blood Vol. 3 | Confessions of a (Pornographer's) Shroud
Show Notes
Rigor Mortis : Shroud of Gloom
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Clive's Contemporary Commentaries : 1978
Portrait Study
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AI Summary
Quick recap
The group discussed Clive Barker's short story "The Pornographer's Shroud" from Volume 3 of the Books of Blood, focusing on the protagonist Ronnie Glass's transformation into a vengeful ghost seeking to balance his moral universe after being wronged by a pornography ring. The story explored themes of sexual repression in British society and the corrupt underbelly of London's entertainment industry during the 1980s. The discussion included analysis of character motivations, the supernatural elements of Ronnie's ghostly form, and the story's dark humor. The podcasters also shared insights about the story's adaptation into a Tapping the Vein comic and discussed upcoming content including a 1978 movie commentary series where votes were still being collected between Superman and The Body Snatchers. The conversation ended with a light-hearted photo shoot using blankets as a creative way to represent the podcast's ghostly theme.
The Pornographer's Shroud: Moral Consequences
The group discussed Clive Barker's story "The Pornographer's Shroud" from Volume 3 of Books of Blood. José explained that the story explores how a man who builds his moral universe by denying the body faces consequences even after death, noting that Ronnie Glass, the protagonist, is an everyman who works for a pornography publisher but remains sexually prudish. Ryan and José discussed how the story reveals that Ronnie's moral judgments are flawed, as he believes sin can be corrected like an error in a ledger. The group agreed that the story is terrifying not just for its supernatural elements but also because Ronnie doesn't recognize his own evil, seeing himself as tidy and righteous.
McGuire's Greed and Retribution
The group discussed a story involving Michael McGuire, who discovers his boss's involvement in distributing explicit magazines. José explained that McGuire, who appears respectable but is driven by greed, becomes angry when he learns about his boss's illegal activities. The story critiques British society's repressive nature, as McGuire's public persona contrasts with his private actions. Ryan questioned why McGuire would visit the warehouse, given his knowledge of the illegal operations, and José suggested McGuire's curiosity and denial played a role. The discussion concluded with McGuire punching his boss in a fit of rage, only to face retaliation from McGuire's associates.
Ronnie's Fall and Path to Revenge
The group discussed a scenario involving Ronnie Glass, who was smeared by the media after being linked to a pornography case, despite not being directly involved. They analyzed how Ronnie's reputation was destroyed, his wife left him, and he felt a twisted sense of relief during his beating, viewing it as a form of punishment. The conversation also touched on Ronnie's transformation from feeling betrayed to seeking revenge, his struggle to obtain a gun in England, and his cold, calculated approach to planning murder after his wife's departure.
Ronnie Glass's Vengeful Journey
The group discussed the character Ronnie Glass and his journey of revenge after being wrongfully accused and framed by his criminal associates. They analyzed his cold-blooded killings of Henry B and Dennis Dork Lozati, noting his lack of conscience and methodical approach to settling scores. The discussion highlighted how Ronnie's actions not only avenged his own wrongs but also shook the underworld's power balance, with some respecting his courage while others condemned his brutality. The conversation also touched on Ronnie's missed opportunity for redemption by not leaving a letter to his wife to explain his innocence and the impact of his actions on innocent people.
Violence and Emotional Detachment
The group discussed a violent story involving Ronnie's murder by McGuire, who then casually returned to social activities afterward. They noted how the characters showed little emotional response to the violence, with the pathologist and his assistants engaging in trivial conversation while performing the autopsy. Ronnie's wife visited his body without much emotional display, and he later became frustrated by the disrespectful treatment during the autopsy, leading him to leave his body through his shroud and become a ghost-like figure.
Ronnie's Shroud Murder Spree
The group discussed a story involving Ronnie, who gains the ability to manipulate a shroud to create a semi-human form and uses this power to kill a pathologist. Ronnie later encounters McGuire in a sex shop, where McGuire is choked and killed by Ronnie, who then escapes. The story also follows McGuire's goons and their interactions with corrupt police officers, including a scene where one goon is beaten for pleasuring himself in the police station.
McGuire's Tragic End
The group discussed a scene involving McGuire, who is recovering from an attack and reflecting on his life while surrounded by portraits of his heroes. McGuire's wife and child visit, but after the dogs start barking, Ronnie, who is already on the property, attacks McGuire. Ronnie ultimately kills McGuire by jamming his shroud down McGuire's throat, then shoots McGuire's wife and Norton before being killed by the Shroud in front of McGuire's young daughter. The story then shifts to Ronnie seeking redemption by confessing to a priest, but Father Rooney is distracted by taking photographs with a woman named Natalie.
The Body Politik Adaptation Discussion
The group discussed the story "The Body Politik," focusing on its themes of suburban tranquility masking deeper secrets and its adaptation into a Tapping the Vein comic. They noted that the story would work better as a short film or part of an anthology series rather than a full-length feature. José mentioned that the story shares similarities with other Clyde Barker works, such as "Hell's Event" and "Pig Blood Blues." The discussion concluded with comments from Reddit users praising the story's pacing and Clive Barker's ability to make unusual ideas believable, as well as noting that the Mick Garris adaptation was not well-received.
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