Algernon Blackwood

I like him a lot as an artist. Just think he wrote too much that was too long. Lovecraft's opinion was more negative than mine. The Willows, The Wendigo and some others are so stunning he deserves to be listed among the greats.

I'll make Julius Le Vallon my next pick.

[Gnosticangel]

Thanks for the wasps! This thread pulled me off-track into hours of nighttime reading and film watching about wasps and hornets. Grim reading for the most part, especially re. the effects of Giant Asian Hornet venom.

Now on a foggy day in upstate New York, everything here reminds of the horror film, "The Mist," and I am anxiously watching out my window for gigantic flying insects.

It's a clear sunny evening in my drowsy village. Might go find a bench near the lake and read some Blackwood while ducks leer at me.

[Robert Adam Gilmour]

Very much behind you guys but I just read "The Wendigo" and I actually much prefer it to "The Willows". The dialogue regarding feet of fire and fiery heights seemed a problem at first but it became gradually spookier when the oddness of the speech is further pressed on.

[Robin Davies]

The revised edition of Mike Ashley's biography of Blackwood is now available.
STARK HOUSE PRESS

[Robin Davies]

I noticed only recently that the Stark House Press release of Tongues of Fire contains three previously uncollected stories.
The Philosopher and The Perfect Poseur are minor, whimsical pieces but The Lock of Grey Hair is a neat horror tale.
STARK HOUSE PRESS

[Robert Adam Gilmour]

I just finished the Bleiler selected Best collection. I'm pretty sure he would have read everything but it seems like he probably left off a lot of more deserving stories.

What is his best collection? The Centipede Press one is obviously not an option for most people.

[Robin Davies]

Quote Originally Posted by Robert Adam Gilmour

I just finished the Bleiler selected Best collection. I'm pretty sure he would have read everything but it seems like he probably left off a lot of more deserving stories. What is his best collection? The Centipede Press one is obviously not an option for most people.

I think the Bleiler is a pretty good selection actually, though the inclusion of Max Hensig rather than, say, The Man Whom the Trees Loved is a bit baffling.
I would guess all the compilations have their pros and cons. If you've developed a taste for his work then there's really no substitute for getting all the original story collections that have been published by Stark House, perhaps starting with Pan's Garden/Incredible Adventures.

[Robert Adam Gilmour]

After I get through Tales Of Uncanny & Supernatural, Wolves Of God and Magic Mirror, I'll probably get those Stark House collections.

The recent collection that's probably still on bookstore shelves now is a very small selection but seems like a good intro.
Publication: Roarings from Further Out

I think Blackwood has a talent for these little magical moments where time slows down and the characters become hyper aware of small details and I don't think a lot of the major old weird fiction authors could really match him in that particular skill.

[Zaharoff]

BBC Sounds currently has "The Willows" available.
BBC Sounds - The Willows by Algernon Blackwood - Available Episodes