Pagoda

First off, let me get all misconceptions out of the way. Despite what the masterpiece of a cover would lead you to believe, at no point does a dragon come crawling out of the pagoda. Sorry about that. Still, PAGODA by R. Karl Largent is quite a well-done piece of '80s horror. The title object is actually a pagoda in miniature, brought from Burma over to America that conceals the "ultimates," mystical masterpieces of Zeygo the great alchemist/philosopher. However, the ultimates must be removed only by first solving the riddle of the pagoda correctly; doing so incorrectly will bring down a dark curse. This is almost a collection of short stories, tied together by the mysterious pagoda and the equally mysterious Loo Song, sent by his religious order in Burma to America to find the pagoda and bring it back. We follow the pagoda as it changes hands, bringing disaster on almost everyone who owns it. The first five stories (after a quick prologue) are "cautionary tales," the kind of things that could easily be modified a bit and be used for a show like TALES FROM THE CRYPT. The sixth and final story reveals the truth behind Loo Song, his religion of Mantau, the even more mysterious Master who heads the religion, and all the secrets behind the pagoda itself. The stories vary a bit. The prologue and first story are well done, and the second is perhaps the best in the whole book. The third, though, is the weakest, and the fourth is only a little better. The fifth is a spectacular return to form, a truly chilling tale; and the sixth story that ties up all the loose ends is also marvellously well done, with twist after twist that will leave you reeling. This is definitely an uneven book, but in the end I have to definitely approve this piece of 1989 horror. Definitely recommended.