The Riddle

by Walter de la Mare

Genres: Horror, School, Fiction, Short Stories

297 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1920

About the author

Walter John de la Mare was an English poet, short story writer and novelist. He is probably best remembered for his works for children, for his poem "The Listeners", and for his psychological horror short fiction, including "Seaton's Aunt" and "All Hallows". In 1921, his novel Memoirs of a Midget won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for fiction, and his post-war Collected Stories for Children won the 1947 Carnegie Medal for British children's books.

Reviews

[Federico DN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Granny.

Seven newly orphaned children are brought under the care of their feeble aging Grandma. Granny is old but her home is as lovely and cozy as any; with ample space to play, many rooms and toys and sweets for all. There's only one rule: Just stay away from the spare room, and don't play with its oak chest.

Oh man, this was GOOD! This had all the vibes of Lucy Clifford's 'The New Mother'. Superbly unsettling, and the devastating uncertainty of one of Robert Aickman's finest. This hit all the right spots; well, almost. But it's great, for what it is, and for only 7 pages worth.

Should be public domain. But can't find it on Gutenberg. Bummer!

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PERSONAL NOTE :
[1920] [7p] [Horror] [Recommendable]
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★★★★☆ The Riddle.
★★☆☆☆ Seaton's Aunt. [2.5]

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Abuelita.

Siete niños recién huérfanos quedan bajo el cuidado de su débil y anciana abuela. La abuelita es vieja pero su casa es tan encantadora y acogedora como cualquier otra; con amplio espacio para jugar, muchas habitaciones y juguetes y dulces para todos. Sólo hay una regla: Manténganse alejados de la habitación de servicio, y no jueguen con su cofre de roble.

Ah bue, ¡esto sí que estuvo BUENO! Esto tuvo toda la vibra de 'La Nueva Madre' de Lucy Clifford. Magníficamente perturbador, y la devastadora incertidumbre de uno de los mejores de Robert Aickman. Esto pegó en todos los puntos correctos; bueno, casi. Pero es genial, por lo que es, y para sólo 7 páginas.

Debería ser de dominio público. Pero no puedo encontrarlo en Gutenberg. ¡Bajón!

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NOTA PERSONAL :
[1920] [7] [Horror] [Recomendable]
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[Matthew Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cryptic, enigmatic short story about seven orphaned children each of whom disappears into a mysterious ancient wooden chest in their grandmother's home. If this is an allegory, what is it an allegory for? The children's names seem to match important royal names in English history, perhaps there's something in that? If it is to be taken literally then surely the grandmother must be removing the bodies from the chest? Or perhaps the chest is magical, and this story is a grim sort of fairytale.

This is the first I've read of Walter de la Mare. I understand such ambiguity is part of his appeal. I would prefer greater resolution; I can't help but feel there is something I'm missing.

[Tobias Nilsson]

From HorrorBabble

[Yusra · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded