Walter de la Mare Strangers and Pilgrims

[Nolon]

This thread inspired me to get the 2 volume collection of Walter de La Mare's work mentioned by Draugen, Short Stories 1895-1926 and Short Stories 1927-1957. I just received the books today, can't wait to read them!

[Druidic]

Nolan, I hope you find as much pleasure in Walter de la Mare’s works as I do. If this thread inspired you to seek out his work I’m genuinely pleased!

[Murony_Pyre]

My copies of de la Mare's A Beginning and Other Stories and The Riddle.

Came across these on holiday this summer and was excited to find them in such great shape (better than they look from the picture).
Even though I already have Strangers and Pilgrims and do dip into it from time to time, I am always on the look out for one that can match the feeling after first reading Seaton's Aunt in Aickman's first Fontana.
I'm often afraid that that particular Fontana Ghost Book spoiled many a writer's work, so to speak, for me by revealing the crown jewels within the oeuvre of each of the writers present in it (excepting Aickman himself, of course)...I doubt that there is a better Jane Howard ghostly story than "Three Miles Up" or by L.P. Hartley, for that matter, than his "The Travelling Grave"--or--more fairly--if there are better, I've yet to find them...it is surely a pleasure making the attempt though, I must say!
I would like to qualify my love of Aickman's "The Trains". While I feel that it is certainly not his best strange story (that honor goes to Ravissante, the first story I read by Aickman!$^@&^$!;)) it is so unlike--yet so like--his other work--it is goddamn slow and then goddamn terrifying and then it is over---quite like train travel?---it must have had a special place in his heart for him to have included in the first of his Fontana books and it does compliment Ms. Howard's story rather nicely for obvious reasons.

Gone a little off topic but so it goes...

[Druidic]

Actually, Murony_Pyre,I don’t think we’re that far off topic. After all, Aickman was influenced by de la Mare and his best stories are quite remarkable. And I agree that “The Trains” is a strange and haunting piece that has a tremendous power…almost in spite of itself! For some reason, “The Cicerones”, (which I first read in a fine August Derleth anthology), is one of my favorite Aickman stories. It’s certainly not one of his major works but is, in my view, a near perfect short story, reminding me quite a bit of de la Mare.

[Knygathin]

I haven't the faintest hunch what's going on in "Promise at Dusk". Did he marry the ghost? Did he force her to promise to marry him, or unless, he would keep the little revolver and reveal to the police that she had killed someone? It does not make sense to me at all.

[Druidic]

OK, what I got from it: He met the woman who was to become his wife in that carriage. She was deeply troubled and considering suicide. He made her promise not to commit such an act. But was it the flesh and blood woman he met or an astral projection of her troubled soul? In any case, it ends, I believe, with a new life brought into the world.
I read it a long time ago in an August Derleth anthology and my memory may not be completely trustworthy.
My main problem with Strangers and Pilgrims is a lot of stories I would have loved to reread—“The Tree”, “The Wharf”, “Missing”, “The Three Friends, “A Mote”—weren’t included in favor of a LARGE number of stories I find considerably less impressive. I’m not at all sure I would have included “Promise at Dusk.” Actually, I know I wouldn't have.

[Knygathin]

That, Druidic, I think is a logical and excellent interpretation. Then, I guess he met an astral projection of her future lonely unhappy self, and helped her change the course of her life. And the crying in the end is from their baby.

I got stuck on a thought that women usually don't commit suicide with a gun. And future projection didn't occur to me at all. Clearly not my field.

Interesting, all in all.

According to The Internet Speculative Fiction Database "Promise at Dusk" was never published in book form before.

Personally I am happy with the selection in Strangers and Pilgrims, which is complemented wonderfully by the other stories in The Collected Tales of Walter de la Mare (Knopff) and Eight Tales.

[Murony_Pyre]

Quote Originally Posted by Knygathin

... the selection in Strangers and Pilgrims, which is complemented wonderfully by the other stories in The Collected Tales of Walter de la Mare (Knopff) and Eight Tales.

Is that right? Just a few repeats? or better none? Please let me know, as I'm planning to go on a de la Mare binge in a few weeks; during which time I will complete Strangers and Pilgrims, not that I'll be left at a loose end for reading material or anything--just curious.

[Knygathin]

Quote Originally Posted by Murony_Pyre

Is that right? Just a few repeats? or better none? Please let me know, as I'm planning to go on a de la Mare binge in a few weeks; during which time I will complete <i>Strangers and Pilgrims</i>, not that I'll be left at a loose end for reading material or anything--just curious.

There are some repeats. But several stories are complementary. You get a lot that way, but not all stories. Beautiful books, all three. I suggest you go to http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?135 and compare. If you want all, you should probably get Short Stories Vol 1 Short Stories 1895 - 1926 by Walter de la Mare and Vol 2 Walter De La Mare, Short Stories 1927-1956 by Walter de la Mare and Vol 3 of children's stories Short Stories III by Walter de la Mare. Or, if you want to read the original editions, go for a hunting spree that may last for a few years, or take up the rest of your life.

[Knygathin]

Quote Originally Posted by Knygathin

... Then, I guess he met an astral projection of her future lonely unhappy self, ...

First I had the impression it was an old lady in the carriage. Now I see it is probably not so. It seems more to be the woman herself, rather than a ghost. Ambiguous ... with De la Mare's mystical, spiritually perceptive depth on reality.