The Haunting of Lamb House

by Joan Aiken

A fictional account of the haunting of one of the most literary houses in history speculates on the supernatural dimensions of the house that inspired Henry James to write The Turn of the Screw.

Genres: Fiction, Horror, Ghosts, Historical Fiction, Ghost Stories, Gothic, Audiobook

200 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Joan Aiken was a much loved English writer who received the MBE for services to Children's Literature. She was known as a writer of wild fantasy, Gothic novels and short stories.

She was born in Rye, East Sussex, into a family of writers, including her father, Conrad Aiken (who won a Pulitzer Prize for his poetry), and her sister, Jane Aiken Hodge. She worked for the United Nations Information Office during the second world war, and then as an editor and freelance on Argosy magazine before she started writing full time, mainly children's books and thrillers. For her books she received the Guardian Award (1969) and the Edgar Allan Poe Award (1972).

Her most popular series, the "Wolves Chronicles" which began with The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, was set in an elaborate alternate period of history in a Britain in which James II was never deposed in the Glorious Revolution,and so supporters of the House of Hanover continually plot to overthrow the Stuart Kings. These books also feature cockney urchin heroine Dido Twite and her adventures and travels all over the world.

Another series of children's books about Arabel and her raven Mortimer are illustrated by Quentin Blake, and have been shown on the BBC as Jackanory and drama series. Others including the much loved Necklace of Raindrops and award winning Kingdom Under the Sea are illustrated by Jan Pieńkowski.

Her many novels for adults include several that continue or complement novels by Jane Austen. These include Mansfield Revisited and Jane Fairfax.

Aiken was a lifelong fan of ghost stories. She set her adult supernatural novel The Haunting of Lamb House at Lamb House in Rye (now a National Trust property). This ghost story recounts in fictional form an alleged haunting experienced by two former residents of the house, Henry James and E. F. Benson, both of whom also wrote ghost stories. Aiken's father, Conrad Aiken, also authored a small number of notable ghost stories.

Reviews

[Quirkyreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was amazing. I especially enjoyed how Aiken tied into the narrative a history of Henry James and one of the Benson brothers. This was a literary ghost story at its finest.

Aiken switched between third and first person narratives seamlessly. It starts with the character Toby Lamb in the 18th Century. Then transitions into Henry James’s story which spans the end of the 19th and first part of the 20th Century. And the story finally ends just before the Second World War with the E.F. Benson narrative.

What drew me in the most was Aiken tying in the “ghost” stories that James and Benson wrote with events that were happening in Lamb House.

I listened to this on BARD. So I am not sure what the current availability of this story is. But is worth finding and reading.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Perhaps we are nothing but the raw materials of a ghost story.'
-- Hugo to Toby Lamb

A ghostly apparition, what does it signify? Misfortune? Death? Something lost or unfinished? Are inexplicable happenings evidence of a poltergeist or just the wild imaginings of the observer? Do houses, ancient sites and natural features attract supernatural entities like a genius loci, or perhaps preserve the memory of ancient associations? Will we ever fathom out true answers?

The Haunting of Lamb House is a ghost story unlike any other I've read. True, there may be more than one ghost (it appears) and there are three related stories: but if you're looking for your spine to be tingled or expecting multiple bumps in the night you might be disappointed. Instead, what you'll be offered is a sense of place and of the personages, real or imagined, that inhabited a three hundred year old house, so that the house becomes as much a character as the denizens that inhabit it.

What for me adds to the novel's attractiveness are a couple of considerations: first, the house featured in it actually exists – and can be visited by the public – and second, the three narratives, with their different voices, give the novel a documentary feel, as though one was perusing transcriptions of actual historical artefacts. Their combination in one narrative thread somehow allowed me, Coleridge-style, to willingly suspend any sense of disbelief.

The opening narrative, which provides the main impetus for the remaining two, is told in the first person by Toby Lamb, son of the James Lamb who built Lamb House in Rye, East Sussex, early in the eighteenth century. Toby is the ill-used child of the family, disregarded because of his lameness but with sterling qualities nevertheless. While he works hard to do the best for the family business, a series of misfortunes befall the family members. The older brother is a bully, a gambler and a drunkard who predeceases Toby; a beloved sister is fostered by a childless Tunbridge Wells couple who, to put it mildly, don't have her best interests at heart; a younger brother meets tragedy on Winchelsea beach; their mother is temperamentally of a weak disposition and remains sequestered in her bedroom; Toby has but one childhood friend.

On top of that Toby is the only one to see a mysterious figure in the garden, a portent whose significance Toby desperately believes may be a key to the family's misfortunes.

'The Stranger in the Garden' is followed by 'The Shade in the Alley', which follows on from Toby's 1784 journal, picking up its themes in the early 20th century. We now are in the presence of Henry James, the writer, who in 1897 leased Lamb House and then two years later bought it outright. During this time he had written and published his most famous ghost story, The Turn of the Screw, said to be partly inspired by an incident told him by the then Archbishop of Canterbury, E W Benson, co-founder of The Cambridge Association for Spiritual Inquiry. In this section James comes across a mysterious manuscript as the result of a curious fire in 1899, soon after he'd bought the house. And this journal is to prove an obsession for the remainder of his time at the house.

The language of 'The Shade in the Alley' is very Jamesian: it is told in the style of the writer himself (indeed, Aiken admits to using his own words wherever possible) with James constantly referred to as 'our friend', cher maîtrere and 'our hero'. One could almost imagine James writing his memoir in the third person, were it not for the fact that he ends his life in the closing pages, undecided whether to publish Toby's account or rewrite it in his own, more felicitous, words.

The final section, 'The Figure in the Chair', takes on yet another mood, lighter in tone at times, less ponderous than the Jamesian section and less melancholy than Toby's writing. This is narrated by E F ('Fred') Benson, son of the Archbishop of Canterbury who was friends with James, and features Fred's brother Arthur. Both siblings were writers and also interested in ghosts: Fred even wrote several supernatural short stories. 'The Figure in the Chair' has a séance at its centre, and draws together the stranger seen by Toby at Lamb House, James' concerns about how to deal with Toby's journal and, finally, the import of the revelations that Fred and Arthur hear at the séance. What then happened to the eighteenth-century manuscript after James discovered it? Do we, the readers of this novel, hold the account in our hands?

And now there is this novel, written by Joan Aiken, native of Rye. Reading it while on holiday in East Sussex and visiting places mentioned in its pages for me made it so much more vivid.

Would it have made the story less involving if I'd never been there? Hard to tell, but I will say this. Aiken reveals her ability to write in distinct voices, neither pastiche nor parody but convincing in their evocation of period detail, language and manners. Toby's account, though long, is a fictionalised version of the Lamb family in the Georgian period and its history, reworked to suit her purposes. I've read James, and skimmed Benson, but these sections come out as authentic recreations of those authors' own writings, mannerisms and moods.

A man in black—poltergeist happenings—a hidden manuscript—revelations at a séance—a restless spirit who seeks rest. If no tingling spines ensue then possibly the odd shiver may make itself felt (not just from supernatural causes, there is implied abuse though we have to imagine details). This novel calls out to be read during a late autumn evening in a creaky old house; you don't have to be familiar with Lamb House and its environs to be persuaded that this could – just – be all true.

[Sistermagpie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't remember where I even picked up this book. It's been on my shelf for a while and I finally read it--very surprising! It's the story of a haunting, but not in the traditional sense. In three separate sections we meet different owners of Lamb House whose stories interlock without it ever being clear exactly how--which I always think is a good thing in a ghost story.

Literary figures come in and out of the narrative; Henry James is one of the owners of the house, which partly inspires "The Turn of the Screw." There's also an interesting idea running throughout about female voices being silenced and never satisfied. I assumed the third narrator was a woman for some reason until I realized she wasn't. You wind up with the male authors all getting a chance to speak and deciding when not to speak while at least two women scream and shout in silence. Definitely interesting and I'm glad I read it.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 Sterne.

Der erste Teil mit der eigentlichen Geistergeschichte hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Leider kommt im zweiten Teil Schnarchnase Henry James dazu und zieht in das Spukhaus ein. Ab da wird es genauso dröge wie James' Bücher. Viel Geschwalle, wenig Inhalt. Der dritte Teil um E.F. Benson ist sehr kurz und macht einen Deckel auf die Geschichte.
Meine Meinung nach hätte Aiken nach Tobys Geschichte, also dem ersten und längsten Teil des Buches, Schluss machen dürfen.

[Kathryn Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joan Aiken never disappoints. Those who know her only through her wonderful James III series might imagine that Aiken's writing is by default that charming, slightly nuts, half pastiche/half gently parody channeling of Dickens by way of Georgette Heyer. But reading beyond her children's books you become aware not only was that a deliberate voice brilliantly assumed for those books, but that Aiken has not one voice but many.

In Lamb House she pulls a bit of a David Mitchell by employing her talent for literary ventriloquism - but without it becoming a stunt or a showcase. At the heart of the book is a tale and character of her own invention. The latter sections bring in not just real figures to portray, but real writers to act as protagonists, whose style she seems to effortlessly put on.

There's something about the touches of meta-textuality and the unembarrassed engagement with 'genre' trapping that reminds me of Mitchell too.

Though the book might be a little short on supernatural sightings and scares for some ghost-story lovers, for me it gets the balance perfectly on what a ghost story should be. It has something to say, and part of that is made clear while some remains mysterious. And the climactic encounter with the ghost should have enough tension in it to satisfy anyone.

This book dearly deserves to be back in print.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, yum, three intertwined ghost stories set in the lovely town of Rye and starring several literary lights (Henry James and E.F. Benson) - all by the delightful Joan Aiken, who does a marvelous job weaving the three tales together.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three interwoven novellas tell the story of living and ghostly inhabitants of Lamb House in Rye, primarily: Toby Lamb (son of the man who built the house in the eighteenth century), Henry James the novelist, and E. F. Benson who wrote the Lucia and Miss Mapp books. The author has obviously done her research, but did not bring all the characters to life. My favorite novella turned out to be the final section (E. F. Benson) for its more contemporary tone and connections between all the stories’ strands. For the audiobook, each section is capably read by a different narrator: Simon Prebble, Davina Porter, and John Franklyn-Robbins, and the variety of voices served the book well

[Randy Money · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating ghost story split into three sections: First section covers the basis of the ghost story. There is a real Lamb House, built in the 1700s. Toby Lamb (a fictional character) is raised there and his family endures multiple tragedies which he documents, including his sighting of a ghost supposed to linger in the vicinity of Lamb House. In the second section, Henry James becomes owner of Lamb House (not fiction) and discovers the manuscript and tries to determine the best course of proceeding with it. In the last section E. F. Benson has purchased Lamb House and copes with an unquiet ghost and the indecisiveness of the James.

What starts as a ghost story, weaves the ghostliness into how writers work and think. Aiken gives Toby a compelling voice in the first section, then deftly adopts James' style of writing for the second section, and Benson's mild humor and understatement for the third.

Not a frightening novel, but a contemplation on writing, and itself beautifully written.

[Paul Hasbrouck · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Haunting of Lamb House by Joan Aiken is a ghost story that held my interest from the beginning. Each of the three parts are told in a different writing styles of people who have live in the house. Each encountering supernatural events and two being quite real people-Henry James,the American novelist and E.F.Benson, one of the ghost story writers of the early 20th.century.
After finishing the book, I discover that not only is Lamb House does exist, but Joan Aiken lived in the house for a time as young girl.
So find a copy, lock your doors, sit in nice chair and if is a dark and stormy night, enjoy a fine tale of hauntings.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

i gave up on this book after reading through the first story. the story of Toby was interesting and i thought i'd like the rest since the next section was about Henry James, who i love. however, i found it too dry, too dull, and it had the essence of "and then this happened..and then this happened too" but without enough detail and description to keep me hooked. sorry, aiken, i gave you a shot.

[Patriciagoodwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second reading of this book. Very good first half but then went off the boil somewhat. I was particularly interested as have visited this house.

[Edith · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 and 1/2 stars.

A series of three poignant interconnected novellas/short stories dealing with Lamb House, a house which actually exists, in Rye, Sussex, England. Said to be haunted, it was home to Henry James, E.F. Benson, Rumer Godden, and other writers over the years, and is now a National Trust property. Joan Aiken was very familiar with the house, as she grew up nearby on Mermaid Street in Jeake House--also with the reputation of being a haunted place. Aiken interweaves the 18th century fictional (and rather Gothic) story of young Toby Lamb with shorter pieces reflecting how Henry James and E.F. Benson might have reacted to Toby and other's's ghostly influence of the house. Each of the James and Benson stories are written in the style of the author/protagonist, and the Toby Lamb novella, in 18th-century style. The James and Benson stories make use of many details of their actual families and lives.

I am not entirely sure what I think of this book. It is certainly beautifully written. But somehow it doesn't quite jell for me, as nicely constructed as it is. (The E.F. Benson section is particularly touching and humane.) The stories remind me of Faulkner's quote "the past is never dead; it's not even past." But with time I may figure out what nags at me about the book.

Not at all the same kind of story as "The Wolves of Willoughby Chase" and its sequels, and not for little children. Recommended with reservations.

[Natasha M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a bizarre little ghost story. It's three linked ghost (short/novella?) stories, with the last two parts surrounding two authors, Henry James and E.F. Benson, who have actually lived in Lamb House. I've read Henry James (love Turn of the Screw) and while I own a Mapp & Lucia Benson novel, I haven't read it yet so it adds a fun little extra layer of novelty.

There is a smattering of ghosts, real and imagined, within the three interwoven histories with Lamb House being the one common theme (as one would expect from the book's title). Ghosts in this story seem to be manifestations of regret rather than the angry, avenging type we see in modern-day jump-scare horror movies. I wouldn't say this is scary or even atmospheric. The only portion of the book that remotely inhabits the elements of a traditional ghost story would be Benson's bit at the very end of the novel. I liked the lead-up to the very end... but then it got a little too chatty for my taste. Ah well, I like that it's about a house I can actually visit one day.

Incidentally, Lamb House is on my list of National Trust Properties to get around to visiting now that I think it's open to the public. One day, when we are not living through a pandemic.

[Kristel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reason read: British Author Challenge, Joan Aiken
I read this one because it was available but I am also glad to have read it. Lamb House is a house in Rye, East Sussex and was built by James Lamb. King George took shelter there during a storm in 1726. The same night Lamb's wife gave birth to a son who they named George. Henry James and E. F. Benson used this house to write during the summer months. Lamb House is the subject of Joan Aiken's supernatural book The Haunting of Lamb House (1993), comprising three novellas about residents of the house at different times, including James and Benson (both of whom also wrote ghost stories).(Wikipedia).

While the story is fiction, it has a feel of being real because of the house being real, King George having stayed there, as well as later Henry James and Benson.

The first story of Toby is the predominant story and Henry James and Benson sections are smaller and least developed.

[K.N. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don’t be fooled by the word “haunting” in the title- this is more a literary device than a ghostly gothic tale. I realize Aiken was an esteemed author and I really wanted to enjoy this book but didn’t. It’s in 3 parts: the 1st ends abruptly and tragically, the 2nd read like the character author’s calendar book and to-do list and I finally gave up in the last part with only 50 pages to go.
Aiken captures the stilted, formal prose of older classics and develops some intriguing characters but the plot feels like the rushed final episode of a series that discovered they aren’t getting a second season. I may need to give one of her other numerous books a try as this one didn’t live up to the accolades.

[Jonathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, in this book, she quotes Henry James on his use of psychological terror: "So long as the events are veiled the imagination will run riot and depict all sorts of horrors, but as soon as the veil is lifted, all mystery disappears and with it the sense of terror-" It's a great quote- it just has nothing to do with this book. There is no terror that I could discern, veiled or unveiled. The theme, characters and the setting are amazing, but the book is dead in the water from the angle of plot, so reading it just feels like a waste of time. Surprised by this mess of a book from this great author.

[Lora Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this entertaining well-written fictional tale of an actual house in Rye and two of its real-life famous inhabitants, authors Henry James and EF Benson. I think the part I loved best was the first part from Toby's point of view though heartbreaking at times. I was transported to 18th century Rye and was sad to leave it in the end. I love a sense of place in books and Joan Aiken certainly delivered here.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Für mich hätte nach dem ersten Kapitel Schluss schein können. Tobys Geschichte hat mir gut gefallen, auch wenn sie mir das Ende zu bisschen kurz geschrieben war. Die Geschichte von Henry James dagegen hat mir gar nicht gefallen. E.F. Bensons Teil hat mich wieder ein bisschen mit dem Buch versöhnt, aber insgesamt hinterlässt Der Geist von Lamb House bei mir einen eher durchwachsenen Eindruck.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Odd horror/mystery book, but what was most interesting was that the story was reminiscent of the Turn of the Screw, and HenryJames actually lived in Lamb House (in Rye, England). Later, E.F. Benson (of Mapp and Lucia fame), and Rumer Golden lived there as well. The house is now run as a writer’s house museum.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have read a number of books by Joan Aiken, and was very surprised to dislike this one so much. I actually did not complete the book because I was really not enjoying it in the slightest.
I am counting it as a fully read book for my 2018 challenge because I did read at least 2/3 of the book.

[Dee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best ghost story I've read (by far), but definitely a haunting, just not in the traditional sense. In three separate sections we meet different owners of Lamb House whose stories are interwoven.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

There wasn't much of a haunting but I still liked the story/stories. Of the three, I found Toby's tale the most compelling and wished his was a bit longer.

Listened to the audible version and the narration was great.

[Joann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just so odd I actually loved the beginning. What was the author trying to do with the last parts? I’m very confused.

[JP · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this book and the way it was written through different years. Had read the Turn of the Screw shortly before it and so was good to understand that layer

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Gothic thriller, it started out very well with the story of Toby and Alice Lamb. Then it all went downhill after.

[Ashley Pope · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was exactly like reading a Henry James novel. Really enjoyed it!

[Rebecca Kuder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun book! The layers--esp. as a fan of Henry James and ghost stories generally--really were enthralling.

[Tayy Swift · Rating 5 out of 5]

This main character is fascinating, the plot is very involving and fun.

[Liz Lamb · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. it managed to hook me, and I finished it in 2 settings. My maiden name is Lamb which sparked picking it up.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so rivetting, but I feel like I missed something.