Books, Puppet Masters, becoming part of my psyche

[wispfox]

Y'know, it's very rare for me to wish I'd never read a book, mostly because I know when to put a book _down_, if I need to.

However, I think I've come to the conclusion that I wish I had never read Heinlein's The Puppet Masters.

It was a good read, oh, yes!

But since I read it, it's figured into my less than pleasant dreams with disturbing frequency. Which doesn't make me happy - I didn't _really_ need additional ammo for my nightmares; my imagination comes up with enough things on its own!

This is why I don't read horror. And don't watch horror. My imagination doesn't need help! And I prefer to actually be able to get decent sleep, what little I get. Ah, well.

(Interestingly, it's horror of the type which is highly unlikely that gets to me more, and of the 'boo!' variety. Partly affected by the music used, in movies. Very music-affected, I am!)

Other books become part of my psyche, to a degree, as well. But I have much better control over how I assimilate things which I can explain, or have some hope of handling in real life. The creatures in Puppet Masters were neither. So they just wander around my brain, periodically resurfacing to frustrate and scare the shit out of me in my dreams. Yes, I _am_ a control freak. And they are the embodiment of a complete lack of control.

[edit]: Indeed, a complete lack of control that the person believes that they _want_, while they are a puppet...

Comments

[aussie-nyc.livejournal.com]

A friend of mine cannot listen to Tubular Bells, as she reacts very badly by association with The Exorcist. I find this terribly sad.

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

Very intentionally, I've never seen The Exorcist. :)

[aussie-nyc.livejournal.com]

It may be a classic, but in my opinion you aren't missing much.

[caillean.livejournal.com]

Wow, someone else who says the exact same thing I do with regards to fodder for my overactive imagination & nightmares. It's something that people who don't experiance it can't really understand. Nice to konw I'm not the only one.

I didn't _really_ need additional ammo for my nightmares; my imagination comes up with enough things on its own!

I swear, that's word for word something I've said on _many_ occasions.

Re: Tubular bells

[wolfieboy.livejournal.com]

I had a similar problem in the past. But it is here that meta-programming comes in handy. I wanted to listen to Tubular Bells (and other Mike Oldfield stuff) without "issues". So, I re-programmed my associations...

Re: Books, Puppet Masters, becoming part of my psyche

[wolfieboy.livejournal.com]

So, if you lived in a society of little clothing where such creatures as the puppet masters would be exceedingly obvious, would that make you feel more comfortable? It's the solution brought up in 'Number of the Beast'.

[wcg.livejournal.com]

Y'know, it scared the beejezus out of me for a long time too. I think it's the most disturbing of his books, for me.

[galaxygirl78.livejournal.com]

y'know I must have ADD...Have had to delete 2 comments today for various reasons *doyoyoyoyoyii*

Anyway, I am a very avid dreamer and I avoid 99% of horror medium and I even have to be care what psychological thrillers I intake. I need no inspiration in the dream department at all! Music all affect me on a very deep level. Check out my post on dreaming I made yesterday!
zzzzzzzzz! (http://www.livejournal.com/users/galaxygirl78/13245.html#cutid1)

Re: Books, Puppet Masters, becoming part of my psyche

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

It was actually brought up in the Puppet Masters, as well.

And no... I don't think it would. It's not about feasibility or likelihood, it's about them being one of my greatest fears, if not my main one. And about them not being something one can usually fight against, because you don't _want_ to...

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

Neat! Thanks for the link. :)

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

I swear, that's word for word something I've said on _many_ occasions.

Heh! That's kinda amusing, in the I'm sorry you have this problem too, kind of way! :)

[galaxygirl78.livejournal.com]

Man I must have been on crack when I was typing that! Cripes! *blush* Your welcome for the link!