What do you think?
Rate this book
The Supernatural Omnibus, Volume 2: Diabolism, Witchcraft and Evil Lore
Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing many of these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1931
About the author
Montague Summers
214 books110 followersAugustus Montague Summers was an Anglican priest and later convert to Roman Catholicism known primarily for his scholarly work on the English drama of the 17th century, as well as for his studies on witches, vampires, and werewolves, in all of which he professed to believe. He was responsible for the first English translation, published in 1928, of the notorious 15th-century witch hunter's manual, the Malleus Maleficarum.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 21, 2020
Thirteen stories of supernatural fiction edited by Montague Summers. It is the second volume of a two-volume set first published in 1931. Volume 2 is described as stories dealing with diabolism, witchcraft and evil lore.
The introduction is a long rambling catalogue of literature of the "ghost story" genre, which sometimes overlaps with horror and sometimes doesn't. Many parts of it are little more than lists of authors, titles or publications.
The stories themselves are a mixed bag. The one I liked best was the werewolf story, "The White Wolf of the Hartz Mountaisn" by Frederick Marryat, told in Joseph Conrad style, of a tale within a tale, though that format is often found in ghost stories by other authors too.
Another one I liked was the novella Carmilla by J. Sheridan le Fanu, one of the few vampire stories I've enjoyed after reading Dracula, perhaps because it was written before Dracula and therefore not influenced by it.
Most of these stories are from the 19th and early 20th centuries, and it seems to be almost a convention of the genre in that period to write in an obscure and complex style, rather as a lawyer would. This fooled me in one of the stories by Richard Harris Dalton Barham, from the Ingoldsby Legends. The convolutions of style caused me to lose track of the plot altogether. There was a second story by him, with a far simpler plot, and so I was able to appreciate his literary allusions.
If I ever find Volume 1, I'll buy it and read it, so perhaps that is my overall evaluation.
"
The introduction is a long rambling catalogue of literature of the "ghost story" genre, which sometimes overlaps with horror and sometimes doesn't. Many parts of it are little more than lists of authors, titles or publications.
The stories themselves are a mixed bag. The one I liked best was the werewolf story, "The White Wolf of the Hartz Mountaisn" by Frederick Marryat, told in Joseph Conrad style, of a tale within a tale, though that format is often found in ghost stories by other authors too.
Another one I liked was the novella Carmilla by J. Sheridan le Fanu, one of the few vampire stories I've enjoyed after reading Dracula, perhaps because it was written before Dracula and therefore not influenced by it.
Most of these stories are from the 19th and early 20th centuries, and it seems to be almost a convention of the genre in that period to write in an obscure and complex style, rather as a lawyer would. This fooled me in one of the stories by Richard Harris Dalton Barham, from the Ingoldsby Legends. The convolutions of style caused me to lose track of the plot altogether. There was a second story by him, with a far simpler plot, and so I was able to appreciate his literary allusions.
If I ever find Volume 1, I'll buy it and read it, so perhaps that is my overall evaluation.
"
January 10, 2019
ed. Montague Summers.
Stories rated individually. Includes Carmilla by Le Fanu.
Stories rated individually. Includes Carmilla by Le Fanu.
February 12, 2017
The second volume of the two-part paperback edition of Montague Summers' THE SUPERNATURAL OMNIBUS. While the first volume was focused on ghosts and hauntings, this follow-up is entitled diabolism and witchcraft and thus provides horror a little more fiery and intense rather than genteel and laid back. As before, the majority of the stories collected here are Victorian in origin. There are 14 in total.
SINGULAR PASSAGE IN THE LIFE OF THE LATE HENRY HARRIS, DOCTOR IN DIVINITY is by Richard Barham and a tale as long-winded as the title. It's about a young girl who suffers from seizures that may be the result of a curse. It was written in 1840 and has a very dated style although there's nothing wrong with the actual nitty-gritty of the story. THE SPIRIT OF STONEHENGE is the first of a 'twofer' by Jaspar John and about a guy possessed by ancient spirits. It's very short and not very interesting, although you wonder why someone didn't cover the same premise before. THE SEEKER OF SOULS, also by John, is a very typical haunted house story, a bit like a written version of the horror film classic THE HAUNTING.
Roger Pater explores THE ASTROLOGER'S LEGACY in his effort, concerning cursed silverware. Nothing happens and it's long-winded to boot, but surprisingly realistic. Amelia B. Edwards is back from the first paperback with MY BROTHER'S GHOST STORY, a European-set tale with a pleasing Victorian atmosphere of ghosts and ghoulies. The excellent J. Sheridan Le Fanu comes up trumps with SIR DOMINICK'S BARGAIN, a re-run of the classic "pact with the devil" story reworked into vintage Victorian fiction. Heaps of evocative atmosphere see it through.
THE BARGAIN OF RUPERT ORANGE is a tale told by Vincent O'Sullivan that once again mines the old Faust legend for inspiration. It's subtle and deeply psychological which makes it a fine read. Next up is the classic CARMILLA, also by Le Fanu; it's female vampire time in a story much-adapted for the big screen. The tale itself is slow-paced but full of atmosphere and some stark violence. One of the two best stories in the anthology, Frederick Marryat's THE WHITE WOLF OF THE HARTZ MOUNTAINS is a chilly (and early) werewolf story with a great setting and action - a really disturbing tale.
Roger Pater returns for A PORTA INFERI, an asylum-set possession story which is a cut above the other stories by the author collected in these two volumes. JERRY JARVIS'S WIG is by Richard Barham again, a comic story for a change. It's a jovial effort with a surprisingly vicious climax. THE WATCHER O' THE DEAD is John Guinan's exploration of Irish mythology although the writing style is less than readable. Then we have E. & H. Heron's THE STORY OF KONNOR OLD HOUSE, another Flaxman Low tale in which the detective investigates the legend of the 'Shining Man'. It's the best story here, a real winner of a tale and a must for any fan of Carnacki or psychic detection as a whole. W.B. Seabrook's anecdotal effort, TOUSSEL'S PALE BRIDE, adds a zombie to the mix just for the sake of completeness.
SINGULAR PASSAGE IN THE LIFE OF THE LATE HENRY HARRIS, DOCTOR IN DIVINITY is by Richard Barham and a tale as long-winded as the title. It's about a young girl who suffers from seizures that may be the result of a curse. It was written in 1840 and has a very dated style although there's nothing wrong with the actual nitty-gritty of the story. THE SPIRIT OF STONEHENGE is the first of a 'twofer' by Jaspar John and about a guy possessed by ancient spirits. It's very short and not very interesting, although you wonder why someone didn't cover the same premise before. THE SEEKER OF SOULS, also by John, is a very typical haunted house story, a bit like a written version of the horror film classic THE HAUNTING.
Roger Pater explores THE ASTROLOGER'S LEGACY in his effort, concerning cursed silverware. Nothing happens and it's long-winded to boot, but surprisingly realistic. Amelia B. Edwards is back from the first paperback with MY BROTHER'S GHOST STORY, a European-set tale with a pleasing Victorian atmosphere of ghosts and ghoulies. The excellent J. Sheridan Le Fanu comes up trumps with SIR DOMINICK'S BARGAIN, a re-run of the classic "pact with the devil" story reworked into vintage Victorian fiction. Heaps of evocative atmosphere see it through.
THE BARGAIN OF RUPERT ORANGE is a tale told by Vincent O'Sullivan that once again mines the old Faust legend for inspiration. It's subtle and deeply psychological which makes it a fine read. Next up is the classic CARMILLA, also by Le Fanu; it's female vampire time in a story much-adapted for the big screen. The tale itself is slow-paced but full of atmosphere and some stark violence. One of the two best stories in the anthology, Frederick Marryat's THE WHITE WOLF OF THE HARTZ MOUNTAINS is a chilly (and early) werewolf story with a great setting and action - a really disturbing tale.
Roger Pater returns for A PORTA INFERI, an asylum-set possession story which is a cut above the other stories by the author collected in these two volumes. JERRY JARVIS'S WIG is by Richard Barham again, a comic story for a change. It's a jovial effort with a surprisingly vicious climax. THE WATCHER O' THE DEAD is John Guinan's exploration of Irish mythology although the writing style is less than readable. Then we have E. & H. Heron's THE STORY OF KONNOR OLD HOUSE, another Flaxman Low tale in which the detective investigates the legend of the 'Shining Man'. It's the best story here, a real winner of a tale and a must for any fan of Carnacki or psychic detection as a whole. W.B. Seabrook's anecdotal effort, TOUSSEL'S PALE BRIDE, adds a zombie to the mix just for the sake of completeness.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews