Squadron Leader Leslie Allin Lewis (1899-1961) was a veteran of both world wars, flying Sopwith Camels over France in 1918 and Hurricanes over England in 1940. He was also one of the best writers in the macabre and supernatural genre between wars. Richard Dalby was one of the most knowledgeable editors of supernatural fiction. His expertise extended beyond ghost stories, embracing children's fiction, detective literature, and book illustration. He was responsible for so many first-rate anthologies that his influence on writers and fans of these genres was immense. His early career was in bookshops, including Foyles, and later he began a mail-order book service specialising in supernatural and mystery fiction.
Tightly plotted and told with a good pace, these stories easily drag you in a world of wonder and fear. Whether it is an unfinished tower, built by some sect, an airplane with a disturbing history, or the usual "village with a secret" ('The child', easily one of the scariest stories I have ever read), every single tale is memorable (Amazon).Now and again, I come across a story such as this 'The Tower of Moab', a story that I know is a masterpiece of the type of fiction...It is an intensely Machen-like spiritual experience to read this Lewis story too. And the 'alarming optical phenomena resonate with the black lens and model fort in this book's first story. And the madness of 'Hybrid' that shafts the reader with thoughts of what is sitting or slithering or squawking on the couch next to me as I read this L. A. Lewis fiction - sitting within my head, too (Des Lewis - Gestalt Real-Time Reviews). Among the original set of stories, I'd like to mention 'Hybrid', a strong, very disturbing portrait of a man possessed by an alien, evil creature and 'The Child', a sinister ghost story where ancient tragedies and past horrors return to haunt the present. (Mario Guslandi - British Fantasy Society website).
|
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
