San Francisco Public Library

Widdershins, the first book of ghost stories, Oliver Onions

eng

technical information on music

not applicable

not applicable

fiction

Widdershins

electronic resource

Oliver Onions

Ghost Stories, bk. 1

the first book of ghost stories

At first blush, Widdershins is a conventional haunted house story involving an unsuccessful writer, who moves into an empty house in hope that isolation will help his failing creativity. His sensitivity and imagination are enhanced by his seclusion, but his art, his only friend, and his sanity are all destroyed in the process … The story can be read as narrating the gradual possession of the protagonist by a mysterious and possessive feminine spirit, or as a realistic description of a psychotic outbreak culminating in catatonia and murder, told from the psychotic subject's point of view. The precise description of the slow disintegration of the protagonist's mind is terrifying in either case. Included are:"The Beckoning Fair One" read by Stefan Rudnicki"Phantas" read by Paul Boehmer"Rooum" read by Stefan Rudnicki"Benlian" read by Paul Boehmer"The Accident" read by Gabrielle de Cuir "The Lost Thyrsus" read by Rosalyn Landor "Hic Jacet" read by Stefan Rudnicki"The Cigarette Case" read by Paul Boehmer "A landmark book in the history of supernatural fiction." "[Onion's] books have a lasting attraction for a reader who enjoys using his brains and his imagination." "[A] book of fine creepy stories." "There is some hair-raising stuff in Widdershins…There is great literary excellence in this book, besides satisfaction for the mere seeker after thrills"

adult

not applicable