Widdershins

[Lobolover]

I dont know why so many people think its a "clasic" ghost story book,while its so far,as im reading,one of the most weird and out of place weird books ive ever read-and boy am I loving it.

But-Id like to see if something else but the novel would be discussed somewhere.

Incidently-to "Io"-it sitn bad,it has good implications,but I think its a bit bellow Onions' common level.

 

[j d worthington]

I'm not sure what you're meaning by "classic" ghost story here, Lobo. It was certainly one of the gems in the crown of the spectral tale of the time (and several of the stories remain high on the list even today). If you mean the strictly stereotypical "ghost" so many picture when they think of Victorian ghostly tales, then no, it doesn't fit that description... but then, darned few of the classics from that period truly do. Certainly the presence in "How Love Came to Professor Guildea" doesn't; nor, strictly speaking, does the inhabitant of Crawford's "The Upper Berth"; nor those in most of James' tales, for the matter of that....

But as far as Onions... yes, he wrote some stupendous tales, very atmospheric, elegantly written, and often quite subtle and understated -- the most well-known, as you indicate, being "The Beckoning Fair One", which remains quite possibly the single best ghost story in the English language....

 

[Lobolover]

Well,I actualy have a liking for Phantas and Rooum myself for their style and what they portray.Certainly,a talk about atoms passing through (-neutrins) someone isnt what almost anyone would imagine,when thinking about a "ghost" story.

 

[j d worthington]

Weeeeellll.... that's not necessarily so. Certainly, the Victorians (and Edwardians), with the various psychic research societies, posited many "scientific" theories for ghostly phenomena, and you'll find that sort of thing in a fair number of tales of the period... the very sort of thing that both James and Lovecraft tended to disparage, as it often diluted the mood (though in truly good hands it can nonetheless work very well).

On the other hand, I suppose it isn't what most modern readers would think of in that connection....

 

[Lobolover]

Thats at least what I meant.How about "Io",then ?

 

[j d worthington]

It's been a good few years since I read that one (though I have Onions' lined up for a late read in connection with the SHiL and related works); but, as I remember it... yes, I'd agree with the assessment. It's quite good, but not quite as high a standard as some of his other work....

 

[Lobolover]

I felt some slight-you know,you could call it pulpishness,as the word comes closest,my word for it is "fan-fiction-" esque-ness.

 

[Lobolover]

Also-new editions seems to exclude "The rocker".