Strayers from Sheol. FIRST EDITION.

WAKEFIELD, H. Russell.

Published by Arkham House, 1961

Arkham House. Sauk City. Wisconsin. 1961. First edition. Hardback in DW. Bookplate removed from front free endpaper, boards have slight signs of use otherwise a clean and sound copy of a scarce book in wrapper that is browned. Many critics consider Wakefield one of the great masters of the supernatural horror tale; his atmospheric work in the field has been frequently compared to that of M. R. James. August Derleth called him "the last major representative of a ghost story tradition that began with Sheridan Le Fanu and reached its peak with Montague Rhodes James". John Betjeman noted, "M. R. James is the greatest master of the ghost story. Henry James, Sheridan Le Fanu and H. Russell Wakefield are equal seconds." M. R. James himself was slightly more reserved in his praise, calling They Return at Evening "a mixed bag, from which I should remove one or two that leave a nasty taste" but also saying the book had "some admirable pieces, very inventive". H. P. Lovecraft claimed that Wakefield "manages now and then to hit great heights of horror despite a vitiating air of sophistication". Franz Rottensteiner described Wakefield as "perhaps the last . representative of the classic ghost story writer" and said that Wakefield's ghost stories have "a certain power". Seller Inventory # 93557

Bibliographic Details

Title: Strayers from Sheol. FIRST EDITION.
Publisher: Arkham House
Publication Date: 1961
Binding: Hardcover
Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included
Edition: 1st Edition