Tales Of Darkness (1981)
Apr 28, 2007 23:13:13 GMT -5
Post by Gloomy Sundae on Apr 28, 2007 23:13:13 GMT -5
R. Chetwynd-Hayes - Tales Of Darkness (William Kimber, 1981)
Which One?
The Haunted Man
Tomorrow's Ghost
Outside Interference
Darkness
Chetwynd-Hayes is often at his best in longer stories where he can build tension into his narratives. Tales Of Darkness contains five long stories, including Tomorrow's Ghost, one of his many stories about the multi-haunted Clavering Grange.
Mike Ashley on Tales Of Darkness (from Neil Barron ed., Horror Literature: A Reader's Guide Garland, 1990)
Tomorrow's Ghost: "I feel like a man who is watching two trains rushing towards each other on the same line and knows there's nothing he can do to avert disaster"
Described by Chetwynd-Hayes in 1983 as "maybe - for what it is worth - the best ghost story I have so far written" (Fontana Book of Great Ghost Stories #19), Tomorrow's Ghost reads like a fleshed out version of his atypically sweet The House with a sample from The Playmate thrown in for good measure.
In the present day, young Roland Sinclair has inherited Clavering Grange though it's a shadow of its former glory, long unattended and a favourite doss for tramps. Against the advice of solicitor Mr. Fortesque, he decides against selling up, moves in and begins tentative renovations. Almost at once, he's made aware of the ghost of a young woman in period dress who seems as stunned by his presence in the old house as he is by hers.
Back in 1812, seventeen year old Cynthia is being forced to marry the odious Lord Cavendish, her father standing to gain financially from the union. Via the kitchen maid she's heard the stories of a family ghost, and when she sees him with her own eyes, she realises that he's the man she's been waiting for. This decides her: However much Sir Danvers beats her, there's no way she'll wed that fat, sweaty lecher.
As the bizarre romance between his client and the long-dead Cynthia blossoms, Mr. Fortesque learns that Cynthia blew her brains out on the eve of her arranged marriage, for the love of a man she couldn't have. Fortesque realises this must refer to Roland. Can they prevent the tragedy from being reenacted?
Which One?
The Haunted Man
Tomorrow's Ghost
Outside Interference
Darkness
Chetwynd-Hayes is often at his best in longer stories where he can build tension into his narratives. Tales Of Darkness contains five long stories, including Tomorrow's Ghost, one of his many stories about the multi-haunted Clavering Grange.
Mike Ashley on Tales Of Darkness (from Neil Barron ed., Horror Literature: A Reader's Guide Garland, 1990)
Tomorrow's Ghost: "I feel like a man who is watching two trains rushing towards each other on the same line and knows there's nothing he can do to avert disaster"
Described by Chetwynd-Hayes in 1983 as "maybe - for what it is worth - the best ghost story I have so far written" (Fontana Book of Great Ghost Stories #19), Tomorrow's Ghost reads like a fleshed out version of his atypically sweet The House with a sample from The Playmate thrown in for good measure.
In the present day, young Roland Sinclair has inherited Clavering Grange though it's a shadow of its former glory, long unattended and a favourite doss for tramps. Against the advice of solicitor Mr. Fortesque, he decides against selling up, moves in and begins tentative renovations. Almost at once, he's made aware of the ghost of a young woman in period dress who seems as stunned by his presence in the old house as he is by hers.
Back in 1812, seventeen year old Cynthia is being forced to marry the odious Lord Cavendish, her father standing to gain financially from the union. Via the kitchen maid she's heard the stories of a family ghost, and when she sees him with her own eyes, she realises that he's the man she's been waiting for. This decides her: However much Sir Danvers beats her, there's no way she'll wed that fat, sweaty lecher.
As the bizarre romance between his client and the long-dead Cynthia blossoms, Mr. Fortesque learns that Cynthia blew her brains out on the eve of her arranged marriage, for the love of a man she couldn't have. Fortesque realises this must refer to Roland. Can they prevent the tragedy from being reenacted?