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
Aickman certainly pushed the boundaries of the ghost/fantasy/supernatural/strange story. As you said, he is not for everyone, but his tales are a master class in evoking an “otherness” that few could approach. His true metier was in the short story as his two novels left something to be desired. He was the grandson of writer Richard Marsh, whose weird novel THE BEETLE outsold Bram Stoker’s DRACULA six times over; both were published the same year.
Jerry, you neatly encapsulated Aickman’s pluses and minuses. Aickman’s stories can be very evocative. I have not read his novels because your experience with them is shared by many critics.
I didn’t know his connection to Richard Marsh. Fascinating
Jeff, you learn a lot on this blog! Very knowledgeable commentators! And, you are one of them!
I’m heard of the man but haven’t read any of his work. I’ll be hitting the used book stores in a week or two so I’ve made a note to look for his work. The late seventies were a curious limbo period for horror and weird fiction-more polished and “literary” than early through mid-century efforts but sometimes lacking the overt “weirdness” that can make the genres so much fun. That’s also one of the better Gorey covers (right at his PBS “Mystery” and Broadway “Dracula” peak) I’ve seen.
Jerry’s note about the Richard Marsh connection is an interesting side note. I picked up the Valancourt pressing of “The Beetle” about ten years ago and have to say I thought it was pure penny dreadful. George, the Lithub website posted an article about contemporary weird fiction just yesterday. It’s worth checking out.
Byron, thanks for the Lithub site recommendation. I’ll check it out. You might be interested in the New York Review of Books collection: https://www.amazon.com/Compulsory-Games-Review-Books-Classics/dp/1681371898/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1VQGB969RUYEP&keywords=robert+aickman&qid=1644413079&s=books&sprefix=robert+aickman%2Cstripbooks%2C78&sr=1-3
Thanks for the tip. I’m a big NYRB fan and can’t believe I missed this one. I just ordered it. I did a little reading up on Aickman and it turns out he also played a significant role in the restoration and preservation of England’s historic canal system.
Byron, now you know why Patti Abbott calls me George the Tempter! Yes, that NYRB volume contains a lot of Aickman’s best work. I did not know Aickman was also involved in the restoration and preservation of England’s historic canal system! Good to know!
Indeed, it was essentially his day job.
“The late seventies were a curious limbo period for horror and weird fiction-more polished and “literary” than early through mid-century efforts but sometimes lacking the overt “weirdness” that can make the genres so much fun.”
Not really. There was a fair amount of overt weirdness and literary polish available if one was looking for it fairly consistently through the past century.
I love Aickman’s stories and have several collections. This one and COLD HAND IN MINE (my favorite) are SFBC editions I got in the 60s or 70s! The most recent is COMPULSORY GAMES, published by NYRB 3-4 years ago, which contains the story “Marriage” mentioned above. His stories are hard to describe and, as you say, frequently don’t make much sense. But if you’re receptive to this sort of thing they’re guaranteed to get in your head and stay there.
Michael, I’ve had COMPULSORY GAMES on my shelf for a few years. I intend to read it in 2022. You’re right about Aickman’s strange stories staying with you long after you finish reading them.
E’ma big fan of Aickman and have most of his collections. I think Cold Hand In Mine is my favorite.
He sounds like a writer I might like. But with me it often depends on the writing style. I will look at my library.
Patti, I think you might like Aickman’s stories, but he’s a very different writer.
I’ve read one of his collections – don’t have my list so can’t say which – previously. Can’t say I’m a big fan but I might read another someday, if nothing else presents itself at the time.
Jeff, I read Aickman in small doses. I find some of his stories disturbing.
Not in my wheelhouse!
Bob, you’d have to be into creepy literature to enjoy Aickman’s work.
Glad you’ve looked into the book. Aickman was certainly allusive when I was first reading his work as a child, and remains so now. (One of the slate of writers I was introduced to via Henry Mazzeo’s only anthology, HAUNTINGS, all but lavishly illustrated by Gorey.)
https://socialistjazz.blogspot.com/2013/10/horrors-old-and-almost-new.html
Apparently a very difficult person to know, and not one who ever wanted much of a public profile.
Todd, I sensed that Robert Aickman might not be a “people” person. Although, he does create some original characters!
My husband is a huge fan of Aickman. He has this book and several others. I have often said I need to try some of his short stories, but… I don’t really like creepy.
The cover is wonderful, of course.
Tracy, you husband has exquisite taste! Some of Aickman’s stories border on creepy, but many of them are just strange. Yes, I love this Gorey cover, too! He’s the perfect artist for Robert Aickman’s books!
The cover is wonderful but am not so sure about the stories, at least in the present mood I am in.
Neeru, Robert Aickman writes strange, disturbing stories. I can only read them when I’m in the right mood…and in small doses. Yes, I’m a big fan of Edward Gorey’s artwork, too!