Sunday 28 October 2012

Edith Nesbit's ghostly tales

After going on about M.R. James (admittedly in his 150th anniversary year) it's only fair to mention other fine ghost story writers of the early 20th century. One of the leading ladies of the era was E. Nesbit, who is deservedly famous for her children's books. However, she also wrote some cracking weird tales, and dramatised versions of five of them can be heard on Radio 4 Extra next week.

The stories are 'The Violet Car', 'John Charrington's Wedding', 'Man-Size in Marble', 'The Shadow', and 'The Ebony Frame'. And a link to the Edith Nesbit Society? You're welcome.

2 comments:

Oscar Solis said...

I've always enjoyed E. Nesbit's work. In particular The Violet Car. It's a story best read at night. Finally read Man-sized in Marble. While it didn't have quite as much of a punch like The Violet Car it was still very good. I could imagine it a short film, along the lines of an episode of The Night Gallery.

valdemar said...

It's a long time since I've read her best-known stories. But I agree, she's been neglected by TV/film people. Perhaps her children's books distract attention from her excellent 'adult' fiction.

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