Good things should be shared with others, and therefore, here goes my review for a book that I concluded only today.
v Introduction by Rosemary Pardoe:
informative, candid, and compact ‘welcome’ to all the readers.
Before I begin my review of ‘The Ghosts &
Scholars Book of Shadows’, a big “thank you” must be shouted to Peter Morgan of
Sarob Press, and Rosemary Pardoe, editor of “Ghosts & Scholars”, for giving
us this extraordinary anthology of stories. Hollywood has made all of us aware
of the magic (or lack thereof) weaved by sequels & prequels, but who could
have imagined the spectrum that might be covered by authors as they conjured up
sequels & prequels to some of the most ‘canonical’ ghost stories in English
literature! But now, to the review.
1.
‘Alberic
de Mauleon’ by Helen Grant: a compact & grim prequel to “Canon Alberic’s
Scrapbook”, that stands out as a rich & satisfying tale of retribution.
2.
‘Anningley
Hall, Early Morning’ by Rick Kennett: a taut retelling of the tale that was the
basis of “The Mezzotint”.
3.
‘The
Mezzotaint’ by John Llewellyn Probert: a fresh & horrific interpretation of
the events described in “The Mezzotint”.
4.
‘Quis
est Iste?’ by Christopher Harman: a sequel to “Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come to
You, My Lad”, which is suffocating in its ability to create the atmosphere of
dread & malice, and then absolutely stunning in its dénouement.
5.
‘The
Guardian’ by Jacqueline Simpson: a light-hearted sequel to “The Treasure of
Abbot Thomas” that, despite deviating from the general tone of the anthology
(and James’ own dictum that ghosts should be malicious), is quite a change
after so many grim stories.
6.
‘Between
Four Yews’ by Reggie Oliver: a brilliant story that, apart from being a
combined prequel & sequel to “A School Story”, is also a masterpiece in
macabre storytelling.
7.
‘The
Mirror of Don Ferrante’ by Louis Marvick: notionally a sequel to “Casting the
Runes”, this story is a stand-alone example of the author’s exquisite skills,
and makes us hungry for more (perhaps the Ex Occidente title would be reprinted
by Swan River Press or some other kindred soul to make it available for us?).
8.
‘Fire
Companions’ by Mark Valentine: an atmospheric sequel to “Two Doctors”.
9.
‘Of
Three Girls and of Their Talk’ by Derek John: notionally a prequel to “Wailing
Well”, it is a stark tale of tragedy, despair and doom.
10.
‘The
Gift’ by C.E.Ward: a dark, menacing and complex sequel to “The Experiment”.
11.
‘Malice’
by David A. Sutton: notionally a sequel to “The Malice of Inanimate Objects”,
it makes James’ title come alive, and lot more literally than the original.
12.
‘Glamour
of Madness’ by Peter Bell: a sequel-cum-explanation of “A Vignette”, this story
establishes why Bell is being regarded as the one of brightest star in the
horizon since his “Strange Epiphanies” came out.
Overall, a brilliant collection that should be
essential reading for any lover of classic supernatural stories; and of course,
if you like M.R. James’ tales, then you MUST read these tales, esp. to read the
stories written by Reggie Oliver & Peter Bell, who have taken some of James’
later & lesser efforts, and have carved two dark masterpieces out of them.
Highly Recommended.
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