Reviews

Algernon Blackwood is a favourite author of mine and so I was quite pleased to have the opportunity to review this book.

'Ancient Sorceries' contains four of Algernon Blackwood's better known tales - Ancient Sorceries, The Listner, The Sea Fit, and The Willows.
It should be noted for fans of the author that it does not contain all of the stories included in Blackwood's 'Ancient sorceries and other weird stories (1927)' as I had assumed it would.

Blackwood, an inspiration of H. P. Lovecraft, excels in the art of atmospheric horror and leans heavily into humanity's fear of the unexplained.

Written in the early years of the twentieth century, these stories have a distinctively Victorian style, especially in regards to the tone and language. Unfortunately, it does mean that they also contain some of the unfavourable and, occasionally, bigoted views and beliefs of that era.

As far as an introduction to Blackwood's stories, I worry that the story order may deter some readers if they are unaccustomed to Victorian literature.
I personally always recommend newcomers to start with The Willows as I feel it provides an easier introduction to the Victorian writing style and to Blackwood's preference for slowly building tension through multiple subtle occurrences.

The book is bound by a gorgeously illustrated cover that I just have to have on my bookcase.

libermonstrorum's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I was given access to a digital copy of Pushkin Press’s deluxe edition of Ancient Sorceries. Therefore, I cannot give feedback on the quality of the physical book itself. However, I do own another book put out by Pushkin Press, their collection of Robert W. Chamber’s stories (The King in Yellow), and was quite happy with the quality.

I really loved these short stories. I had only read one story by Blackwood (“The Willows”) previously and was excited to get my hands on more. Blackwood’s prose is beautiful, with strange, wonderful premises and some truly shiver-inducing moments. “I want your body; I want its covering. I’m waiting for it, and listening always” (127). Is that a good line or what? Even for a modern reader, his takes on haunted houses and ghosts are fresh.

Whoever made the choices for this collection (there was no editor or team credited in the book) did an absolutely fantastic job. Though four may not seem like much, Blackwood’s stories are moreso novellette/novella length than short story length (the collection is 253 pages long). Four stories is the perfect length, not dragging on for too long or being so large as to be intimidating.

The four stories chosen provide an excellent sampling of Blackwood’s work for someone new to Blackwood. While they are all supernatural and weird, they explore different aspects of the supernatural: “The Listener” is a gothic ghost story, “The Sea Fit” and “Ancient Sorceries” concern the ancient occult and paganism, and “The Willows” (with its focus on awe and horror stemming from nature) contains elements of the Romantic, though it of course is first and foremost Weird fiction. Although widely different in terms of subject, in themes they are tied, with a throughline of isolation, entrapment, and the danger of place running as an undercurrent below them all.

The only criticisms I have are minor. “Ancient Sorceries” is one of his John Silence stories, a character sometimes referred to as an occult Sherlock Holmes. I will say that as someone unfamiliar with his work this story was a little confusing at first, as the reader is expected to have some familiarity with John Silence already. The opening paragraph hitting me with “John Silence, the psychic doctor” then immediately moving on was disorienting. However, because Silence and his work is not crucial to understanding the narrative, it was not something that interfered with being able to follow the narrative. While an introductory note or section discussing the stories included or Blackwood as an author would have gone a long way towards preventing that confusion, it’s not something I think the collection needed. After all, my questions were easily cleared up with a quick Google search. Additionally, while “The Listener” is one of my favorites of the collection (topped only by “The Willows”), the narrative cuts off rather suddenly at a revelation regarding the identity of the ghost, leaving the narrator’s story to end abruptly, something that holds it back from being as good as “The Willows.”

Blackwood’s work is often compared to Lovecraft, and while I can certainly see that comparison and agree, I would also compare his work to Shirley Jackson. More specifically, the slow build of tension, pervasive feelings of isolation, and the influence of place and setting in these stories reminded me greatly of We Have Always Lived in the Castle and The Haunting of Hill House. If you enjoy slow, subtle, weird horror and are interested in the works of Blackwood, this collection by Pushkin Press is an excellent introduction to his work. Five stars; I may just be tempted into picking up a physical copy, should I come across one. My next foray into Blackwood will be into his John Silence stories, as the line “John Silence, psychic doctor” hit me like a fright train and has not left my thoughts since.

Thank you to Netgalley and Pushkin Press for providing a digital review copy of Ancient Sorceries.

akemi_666's review

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4.0

That's a solid YIFF from me.

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