Robert Aickman writes strange stories. For example, my favorite story in Painted Devils: Strange Stories (1979), “Larger Than Oneself,” is set in a mansion on a night with thunder and rain. A confused woman, invited by wealthy publisher Vincent Cover, arrives at the mansion to find a conference of philosophers discussing the spirit and powers. My favorite character is the sexy Sister Nuper who is followed everywhere by her dozen handsome admirers.
Aickman’s stories take the reader to strange realms. In “The Houses of Russians,” a young boy finds an island in Finland with abandoned houses of the Russians. Odd events occur. In “Ringing the Changes” a couple on their honeymoon arrive at Holihaven where an unseen sea emits an overpowering smell and incessant bells ring and echo all night to awaken the dead.
“The Waiting Room” tells the story of Pendlebury, a man who misses his train, and is forced to spend the night alone in the Waiting Room of the train station. He falls asleep, but when he wakes up he finds he’s not alone anymore: the ghosts that haunt that Waiting Room are waiting for him.
Aickman includes some bizarre stories of affairs. In “The View” a gentleman is invited by a mysterious woman to spend some time in her ancient house. The man is disturbed by the fact the view from his window changes every day. The woman seduces him to keep him with her. In “Marriage,” a young man meets two women who love the theater as much as he does. The older woman, Helen, introduces the young man to Ellen. On a walk in a park, Ellen lures the young man to an isolated area where they have sex. The young man thinks he saw Helen watching from the bushes. The young man and Ellen continue their affair, but the sexual aspects become more extreme.
Robert Aickman’s stories aren’t going to appeal to everyone. Sometimes I’ve finished an Aickman story and asked myself, “What was that all about?” But, if you want eerie, different, and even haunting stories, Aickman is the writer for you. And, I really like Edward Gorey cover! GRADE: B+
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Ravissante — 1
The Houses of the Russians — 27
The View — 57
Ringing the Changes — 87
The School Friend — 117
The Waiting Room — 141
Marriage — 153
Larger Than Oneself — 183
My Poor Friend — 211