With M. R. James, amongst the finest ghost stories in the language--a review of E. F. Benson's collected short stories . Memorable, "How Fear Departed from the Long Gallery," "The Room in the Tower," and "Mrs. Amworth." While I don't agree with the blogger in Benson's wider range (M. R. James has quite a range from "Casting the Runes" to "Count Magnus" to "'Oh Whistle and I'll Come to You My Lad," and Lovecraft also had a large range from "Cool Air" to "Whisperer in the Darkness" to "Color Out of Space" not to mention the central position of the Mythos. But that said, I cannot argue with the reviewer's admiration of the quality and range of Mr. Benson's wonderful collection. Well worth one's time if one is into October Reading. And what is particularly nice is that Benson does offer us, occasionally, the real and true, dyed-in-the-wool ghost story--a rarity...
Steven - I was a de Botton-sceptic until I went to a talk he gave to publicise his The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work. From that I came away thinking more of the man, perhaps not enough to read one of his books.
ReplyDeleteDear Anthony,
ReplyDeleteI actually like de Botton's books--I've read three or four with Proust being my favorite. I just don't know how his reputation stands in philosophical circles. Engaging prose, ideas that are interesting--makes for pleasant enough reading (as nonfiction goes).
shalom,
Steven
"I just don't know how his reputation stands in philosophical circles."
ReplyDeleteHe doesn't have ANY standing in philosophical circles. He isn't a philosopher.
Dear Mr. Mitchelmore,
ReplyDeleteThank you. I specialize in the written arts and more specifically fiction--hence I like How Proust Can Save Your Live as Philosophy light and litcrit light--just enjoyable reading. Hence my ignorance on matters philosophical.
shalom,
Steven
The writer in question is a good communicator and has many affectionate readers. Although I find his essays superficial, I recognize his ability to sell books.
ReplyDelete