My husband recently started reading this book of tales of terror by E. Nesbit. I haven't read any of her books, but I am aware of her reputation as the author of some well-known children's books, such as The Railway Children or Five Children and It. E. Nesbit had a very interesting life and that is covered in the introduction by Hugh Lamb.
This description is from the back of the paperback edition:
Edith Nesbit’s natural gift for storytelling has brought her worldwide renown as a classic children’s author. But beyond her beloved children’s stories lay a darker side to her imagination, revealed here in her chilling tales of the supernatural. Haunted by lifelong phobias which provoked, in her own words, ‘nights and nights of anguish and horror, long years of bitterest fear and dread’, Nesbit was inspired to pen terrifying stories of a twilight world where the dead walked the earth.
All but forgotten for almost a hundred years until In the Dark was first published 30 years ago, this collection finally restored Nesbit’s reputation as one of the most accomplished and entertaining ghost-story writers of the Victorian age. With seven extra newly-discovered stories now appearing for the first time in paperback, this revised edition includes an introduction by Hugh Lamb exploring the life of the woman behind these tales and the events and experiences that contributed to her fascination with the macabre.
My husband has read the first three stories in the book, and especially liked the first one, "Man-Size in Marble."
23 comments:
NancyElin: Hopped over to Wikipedia to learn more about E. Nesbit: The Story of the Amulet first on list of greatest children's books (list F. Spufford, The Guardian 2001). This is one fantasy book I would try!
I have heard of the Railroad Children but never read the book. But In The Dark interests me and what a great cover which is perfect for a collection of horror stories. I will read up more on E Nesbit. It's difficult to go through life with anxieties and phobias and so I hope writing it all down in these stories helped the author.
I didn't know Nesbit had written any tales of terror. I've only read her children's books.
You may have noticed that I have The Railway Children in my stack of books for my next CC list. I hadn't made the connection to her horror stories. I read that story Man-Size in Marble in a collection from the British Library. This sounds like a fun collection that would be great for my RIP challenge in the fall.
Kelly, I did not notice that The Railway Children was in that stack of books on your post for your next Classics lists. I was too focused on the list of authors you were asking about in the text of the post. Which I will come back over to your blog and comment on today.
The introduction to In the Dark noted that Man-Size in Marble was probably Nesbit's best-known short story. I don't read many horror or ghost stories, but maybe I will try that one.
Loved her childrens' books. I don't think I knew she wrote adult fiction.
I'm familiar with E. Nesbit's children's literature, but not this. I'll have to check it out! Thanks for the heads up!
I am a fan of anyone who can draw children to reading, Tracy. I, myself, am not usually much of a one for fantasy and the supernatural, etc., in my reading (although I've read some excellent stories in those genres). But I give her so much credit for creating stories that engage children as readers.
Nancy, that does sound like an interesting book. The Story of the Amulet appears to be the third book in a trilogy that starts with Five Children and It. And it includes time travel, I think, which always interests me.
Very good point, Margot. Looking into The Story of the Amulet, I read an excerpt and I did not think the writing appealed to me. But I could easily see how it would appeal to children and be a great book to read to a child.
I am a big E. Nesbit fan but I've been puzzled by those who like The Story of the Amulet best. It's the third in a series and I personally think the first two are better! My favorites were The House of Arden and Harding's Luck, but I am not sure any of her books work for adults who are not normally fans of juvenile fantasy. Edward Eager, who was inspired by Nesbit, is wittier and more amusing than Nesbit. She did have an interesting life, however!
Kathy, E Nesbit had a hard life from my point of view. But she did get to express herself in many ways so that is a good thing. I would like to try one of her children's books someday.
That was news to me too, Lark. It is interesting that she is better known for her children's books.
I didn't know that E. Nesbit suffered in that manner. How awful. I have read all of weird her short stories, definitely remember Man-size in Marble as it was in one of the BL weird collections, but not so much the others. Suspect if I were to reread them now I would remember them.
Nor did I, Patti. I never read her children's books, but maybe I will try one someday.
Your welcome, George. It is usually you introducing me to new authors and their short stories.
Thanks for that interesting information, Constance. I will look into Edward Eager. And yes, I thought her life was interesting, even with all her problems.
Glad to hear that you have read E. Nesbit's weird stories, Cath. I will try at least two of three of the stories in this collection, even though they not my usual reading.
Amusing, to me...I knew about Nesbit's children's fiction, but didn't read any, while by age 8 I was already reading all the adult horror short fiction that looked at all interesting, and I had read "Man-Sized in Marble" around then...and horror-fiction readers unsurprisingly might well've thought first of her work in that form...not "forgotten" at all...
Automatic/distracted typing on this slightly weird keyboard..."Man-Size", no past tense!
You make a good point, Todd. I don't remember reading many short stories at all until I was college age and read a good bit of science fiction short stories. Then I returned to reading novels almost exclusively until the last few years. Still have read only a few horror or ghost stories.
Gosh I recall reading The Railway Children as a youngster but did not know Nesbit wrote spooky adult things too. Sounds quite different than The Railway Children !
Susan, I have read about E. Nesbitt's children's books but never read them myself or read them to my son when he was younger. That part actually surprises me. But the ghost stories that she wrote were surprise to me. Glen is reading the book now and liking a good number of the stories.
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