The Progression of the Weird Tale

S. T. Joshi’s latest volume of his critical essays and reviews of weird fiction features dozens of short articles on many of the leading figures in the realm of supernatural fiction, from Lord Dunsany to Robert Aickman to Robert W. Chambers, Lengthier articles chronicle the life and important weird writings of such figures as Sir Walter Scott, Clemence Housman, and Algernon Blackwood. A section on H. P. Lovecraft and his circle features pieces on Lovecraft as essayist and poet; his devotion to cats; and assessments of the work of R. H. Barlow and Frank Belknap Long. Among the essays on contemporary writers, we find evaluations of Nicole Cushing, Ramsey Campbell, and several weird poets. A final section of personal essays contains Joshi’s tributes to the recently deceased writers W. H. Pugmire and Sam Gafford. Throughout, Joshi’s perspicacity, clarity of expression, and sensitivity to philosophical and aesthetic nuance are plainly evident.