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A review by tristansreadingmania
Dark Entries by Robert Aickman
4.0
My, what a puzzling, yet wondrous experience reading Aickman is. Now it's finally become clear to me why I've seen him so often being talked about in such hushed, reverential tones. This Brit was an absolute master craftsman of the "strange tale", as he himself defined the nature of his work.
The one thing to be appreciated the most about these tales (this collection, astonishingly his debut, consists of 6), is undoubtedly the prose. It's rather gorgeous. Timeless, in fact. See, I have a sneaking suspicion that Aickman never cared about plotting at all. Not really. Naturally there must be a plot in order for there to be a story, but in almost every case it mostly consists of a rather basic premise, with some modest twists and turns thrown in. For a riveting, fast moving plot, Aickman ain't your man.
His primary obsessions are mood, nuance, the steady unfolding of an inner psychological drama. There are no satisfying pay offs to be found at the end. His world is an oblique, unreal and insecure one, populated by neurotics and lost souls. Threat is perceived, yet very often not actualised. That is the essence of Aickman.
Faber & Faber has thus far republished 4 - thankfully, inexpensive- collections of Aickman's work. Previously, the only way to obtain Aickman other than secondhand was through the lovingly produced hardcovers of Tartarus Press, which are admittedly pricey. Fantastic publisher, but perhaps not the best route to take by way of an introduction. For those interested, I'd suggest going for these first. My utmost and highest recommendation.
The one thing to be appreciated the most about these tales (this collection, astonishingly his debut, consists of 6), is undoubtedly the prose. It's rather gorgeous. Timeless, in fact. See, I have a sneaking suspicion that Aickman never cared about plotting at all. Not really. Naturally there must be a plot in order for there to be a story, but in almost every case it mostly consists of a rather basic premise, with some modest twists and turns thrown in. For a riveting, fast moving plot, Aickman ain't your man.
His primary obsessions are mood, nuance, the steady unfolding of an inner psychological drama. There are no satisfying pay offs to be found at the end. His world is an oblique, unreal and insecure one, populated by neurotics and lost souls. Threat is perceived, yet very often not actualised. That is the essence of Aickman.
Faber & Faber has thus far republished 4 - thankfully, inexpensive- collections of Aickman's work. Previously, the only way to obtain Aickman other than secondhand was through the lovingly produced hardcovers of Tartarus Press, which are admittedly pricey. Fantastic publisher, but perhaps not the best route to take by way of an introduction. For those interested, I'd suggest going for these first. My utmost and highest recommendation.