Robert Hichens (1864-1959) was a prolific writer producing over 60 novels, a dozen short story collections, travel non-fiction, and plays. Several movies were made based on Hichens’s works, most prominently, Alfred Hitchcock’s THE PARADINE CASE (1947).
In his excellent “Introduction,” S. T. Joshi maps Hichens’s long writing career from decade to decade. Of the short stories included in The Folly of Eustace and Other Satires and Stories I was most affected by “The Lift.” A young man finds himself stuck in a stalled elevator with a middle-age woman who does not understand his language. The woman is married to a man who insults her and abuses her. The woman’s husband has threatened to kill her. The woman begs the young man for help, yet he thinks he’s helpless in this situation. The psychological aspects of the story are haunting.
Hichens’s stories always feature strong women. I also liked “A Boudoir Boy” where a 64-year-old woman entices a young man to teach her how to be “decadent.” A clever and satiric story!
If you’re looking for something different from a century ago, you might give The Folly of Eustace and Other Satires and Stories a try. You’ll be entertained and surprised! GRADE: B
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Introduction by S. T. Joshi –7
The folly of Eustace — 13
The Two Fears — 33
The Lift — 38
The Last Time — 51
The Facade — 92
The Letter — 135
A Boudoir Boy — 181
The Piano — 192
The Worth While Man — 206
Bibliography — 222
I think Spell-Korrect took advantage, as frequently…THE PARADINE CASE became “Paradise” (more Capra speed than Hitchcock), and Hichens becomes Hitchens once….
I haven’t read enough of him, given how much I enjoy “How Love Came…” at an early age.
Or, enjoyed!
Todd, thanks for the spelling heads up! WORDPRESS spellchecker constantly changes my words without telling me. I try to fix as many as I can…but some still slip through. Aggravation!
Maybe twice! It’s still “Hitchens” just before the corrected PARADINE citation.
Once a sloppy proofreader (me), always one…
Todd, the demonic WORDPRESS Spellchecker drives me nuts each day! I correct its mistakes and when I’m not looking, it changes it back to the WRONG WORD! AGGGGGGGH!
Right, Hichens – no T.
Can’t remember if I’ve read any of his stories – probably – but certainly not this collection, which was first published in 1896.
Jeff, this STARK HOUSE edition of THE FOLLY OF EUSTACE is a 2024 title. S. T. Joshi’s “Introduction” provides plenty of information on Robert Hichens.
I notice that his thinly – or not at all – disguised novel about his friends Oscar Wilde & Lord Alfred Douglas, which was published anonymously and then withdrawn, is available free on Kindle, should anyone want to read it 130 years later. It is THE GREEN CARNATION.
Jeff, Hichens hobnobbed with some historic figures like Wilde and Douglas.
I’m not familiar with his work but you’ve intrigued me. Generally anything Joshi pushes is worth a look and his intros are often worth the cover price alone even if he can be a bit annoying.
Byron, I agree with you on Joshi. But the guy really provides a wealth of information in his “introductions.” I admire his projects with H. P. Lovecraft’s works.
Hichens’ “How Love Came to Professor Guildea has stuck with me for almost 60 years. His story “The Black Dog” and his novel THE GARDEN OF ALLAH have been on my Really-Have-To-Read-These-Soon list for years. Some day, maybe.
Jerry, I was almost certain you were familiar with Robert Hichens and his work!
The Hichens “How Love Came to Professor Guildea” (as I lazily noted above) was the first and for years the only story I’d read from him, but it is Memorable. (I believe it was in one of the “Hitchcock” books that was more edited by his series’ sponsors and network than by Robert Arthur or his colleagues, STORIES THEY WOULDN’T LET ME DO ON TV…most of which were eventually adapted by the end of the AHP:/AH HOUR series run.
Todd, I’m impressed at the number of Hichens stories that became movies as Dan pointed out.
Besides PARADINE and GARDEN OF ALLAH (*Gawd,* I love the Technicolor in that movie!) Hichens inspired the haunting film BELLA DONNA, the last shot of which I shall never forget.
Dan, I knew you would weigh in with Hichens’s movies!