William Fryer Harvey
Posted by:
Kipling (IP Logged)
Date: 6 September, 2022 10:22AM
Here's a general question: Do you have a favorite 20th Century British author of weird fiction, other than Arthur Machen, M.R. James, and Algernon Blackwood? This past year I delved into the stories of William Fryer Harvey, W.W. Jacobs and John Metcalfe. What about those of John Buchan, L.P. Hartley, and Thomas Burke? They wrote mostly outside of the fantasy sphere with the possible exception of Buchan. Has anyone read Margaret Irwin's book "Madame Fears the Dark"? Her story, "Monsieur Seeks a Wife" made a strong impression on me. Anyway, of particular tales, Harvey's "The Beast With Five Fingers" and Metcalfe's "The Bad Lands" are exceptionally excellent. I thought Metcalfe's plots were less interesting than Harvey's overall-- a bit more descriptively effective if less dramatically so. Harvey struck me as a true master. Jacobs is fine of course, but too theatrical for my taste. Comments/reading suggestions appreciated.
jkh