BOOK REVIEWS
I have dispensed with my 'Books of the Year' postings which covered the years 2009 and 2010, and now attempt to review a selection of books that I have read both good and bad, in editions old and new. Much of what I buy is often based on suggestions by others, or some train of thought that makes me think "maybe I should try..." so they are not necessarily all strange/supernatural fiction.
With many small press books costing around £35-£40 each, and some seemingly worthy tomes changing hands on the second hand market for many times that, these reviews may also give the potential purchaser some indication of what they might receive for their money. Needless to say, my opinions should not be given any great value as I bring my own foibles to every review and these may change at any time.
J. Sheridan Le Fanu
'Wylders Hand'
'Wylders Hand'
(Atlantic Books)
502 pages (£7.99)
502 pages (£7.99)
Le fanu is (rightly) remembered for his excellent ghost stories, which in my opinion, often outshine M. R. James.
However this is not a supernatural affair, but a murder mystery involving the disappearance of Mark Wylder (he of the hand) immediately prior to his wedding. The ramifications of this act are the subject of the tale, as rival lovers, scheming lawyers and downtrodden relatives all interact in the typical convoluted Victorian gothic manner.
What lifts this from so many novels of the period is that Le Fanu rarely drifts into the maudlin (though there is a sick child involved at one point) and the book is enhanced for the lover of supernatural fiction by the an air of gloom that permeates the text especially in the landscape and the minds of most of the lead characters, all of which are finely drawn.
Le Fanu also has some wit; for example a character searching for Wylder visits a landlady one evening who was "at this hour somewhat mellow and talkative". Everyone can picture this character, understands what Le Fanu means, smiles and moves on. There is a lot of this type of thing in the text and this makes the book a joy to read. It must be said that the the third quarter of the book tends to drag its feet a little, but this is more than redeemed by the ending in which everyone gets their just deserts.
All in all, this is a great book and, if anything, is better than 'Uncle Silas' - probably Le Fanus best known novel. At this price it is bargain to boot.
However this is not a supernatural affair, but a murder mystery involving the disappearance of Mark Wylder (he of the hand) immediately prior to his wedding. The ramifications of this act are the subject of the tale, as rival lovers, scheming lawyers and downtrodden relatives all interact in the typical convoluted Victorian gothic manner.
What lifts this from so many novels of the period is that Le Fanu rarely drifts into the maudlin (though there is a sick child involved at one point) and the book is enhanced for the lover of supernatural fiction by the an air of gloom that permeates the text especially in the landscape and the minds of most of the lead characters, all of which are finely drawn.
Le Fanu also has some wit; for example a character searching for Wylder visits a landlady one evening who was "at this hour somewhat mellow and talkative". Everyone can picture this character, understands what Le Fanu means, smiles and moves on. There is a lot of this type of thing in the text and this makes the book a joy to read. It must be said that the the third quarter of the book tends to drag its feet a little, but this is more than redeemed by the ending in which everyone gets their just deserts.
All in all, this is a great book and, if anything, is better than 'Uncle Silas' - probably Le Fanus best known novel. At this price it is bargain to boot.
