From the Edward Gorey cover, you know immediately that Robert Aickman’s collection of strange stories, Cold Hand in Mine, is going to be creepy. With Halloween around the corner, I decided to reread Robert Aickman’s best book. Aickman’s other short story collections are excellent and highly recommended, but Cold Hand in Mine is something special. For those of you who haven’t read Aickman’s work, you’ll be in for a unique experience. Aickman is a master at suspense. The tension builds in his stories to produce surprising effects. These stories are the opposite of splatter-punk. Aickman’s stories are sinister and sophisticated. If you read some of Aickman’s stories, you’ll be right in the mood for Halloween!
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
The Swords”
“The Real Road to the Church”
“Niemandswasser”
“Pages from a Young Girl’s Journal”
“The Hospice”
“The Same Dog”
“Meeting Mr Millar”
“The Clock Watcher”
I’ve been meaning to reread this one for a couple of years, for FFB purposes among others, but here you’ve beat me to it, and it’s certainly about time someone has!
Gorey and Aickman, not so oddly, pop up a fair amount together…
Gorey and Aickman are two of my favorites, Todd. COLD HAND IN MINE is a classic.
A new author for me sorry to say but I just got lent a book of his after listening to a very interesting radio profile of the author – I’ll look out for this particular book george, thanks.
You’ll be impressed with COLD HAND IN MINE, Sergio. Aickman is a unique writer who is vastly underrated. Since his death in 1981, Aickman has become practically forgotten. But I think his greatness will attract readers like you and me.
One of the best of the modern supernatural writers. Any devotee of weird fiction and “strange tales” needs to be come acquainted with Aickman if he/she hasn’t already done so. I own nearly all of his books. Still need to get a copy of his (only?) novel THE MODEL. When I found a 1st UK edition with a DJ of his early collection POWERS OF DARKNESS (his second book and very scarce in the US) at a book sale for only $2 I nearly fainted. One of the best moments in my book hunting/collecitng days, that one.
I would have nearly fainted too, John, if I came across POWERS OF DARKNESS for $2! I have a copy of THE MODEL, but haven’t gotten around to reading it. Maybe THE MODEL will be a candidate for a future FFB.
I looked to see who the publisher of this is (Berkeley) and was shocked at the prices for this particular edition, OP and apparently hard to find if Azon has sellers charging like that. I’m sure John could find it for less, he’s a champion “finder”.
It sounds interesting, though I read little of the spooky, scary, horror-ish stuff.
I love reading spooky stuff around Halloween, Rick. About 10% of my collection is supernatural/horror. I have to be in the mood to enjoy it.
John, Aickman’s THE MODEL was an interesting book but not nearly as effective as his short stories. Aickman did write an earlier novel, THE LATE BREAKFASTERS (Gollancz, 1964), which I have not read but of which S. T. Joshi wrote, “aside from a few ghostly effects, turns out surprisingly to be a sensitive and poignant story of lesbianism.”
Interesting take on THE LAKE BREAKFASTERS, Jerry. I’ve never run across it, but I’d like to read it now. You’re right about THE MODEL not being as good as Aickman’s short fiction.
Have not heard of the author but any book with a Gorey cover immediately makes me want to read it.
You would really like Aickman’s work, Carl, especially this book with the Gorey cover. I consider COLD HAND IN MINE to be Aickman’s best book.
Great choice, George! A few years back I managed to snag the Complete Robert Aikman 2 volume set that Battered Silicon Dispatch Box published. Talk abot sticker shock if you try to get it today!
Wow, Scott! I’ve seen that 2-Volume set of Aickman’s work for astronomical prices. I wish I had that set…